Author: Trisha Ghosal

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai She was once the girl people mocked, for being too active on social media, for laughing too loudly, for dancing too freely, for simply being herself. But as the sun rose over Navi Mumbai this morning, Jemimah Rodrigues etched her name in Indian cricket’s golden history, as the girl who carried India into their third Women’s ODI World Cup final. For over a year, my colleague Snehasis and I have been advocating for Jemimah to bat at No. 3. And finally, the Indian team management saw what we saw, a pure match-winner waiting to be…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai Jemimah Rodrigues stood tall under the DY Patil lights, exhausted, teary-eyed, and victorious. Her unbeaten 127* scripted India’s sensational chase of 339 against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final, a night that felt less like a match and more like a story of redemption. “I didn’t play for my hundred, I played for India to win” Jemimah’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke about her mindset. “It hasn’t sunk in yet,” she said. “I didn’t play for my hundred, I didn’t play to prove a point at No. 3, I just played to make…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai The all-important semi-final between hosts India and defending champions Australia is set to unfold at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a stage that has seen many dreams take flight, and a few get washed away. The lights are ready, the crowd is ready, the actors are ready. The only suspense that hangs heavy, will the curtain rise on this grand act, or will the monsoon clouds steal the show before it even begins? Mumbai, drenched in anticipation and humidity, has been under yellow alert since 23 October. But long before the skies flashed warning signs,…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai On the eve of yet another World Cup semi-final showdown between India and Australia, defending champions Australia were keen to keep a lid on expectations. Head coach Shelley Nitschke faced the media at DY Patil Stadium, acknowledging both the magnitude of the clash and the quality of the home side. Semi-final stakes: ‘Anyone’s game’ Nitschke refused to label either side as favourites, insisting knockouts often defy history and form. “It’s anyone’s game. The team that holds its nerve under pressure will come out on top,” she said. She added that the leadership group would take…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai Just one night away from the blockbuster clash, India wrapped up their optional training session at DY Patil Stadium before Shafali Verma fronted the media, her first press interaction since returning to the senior side for the Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final. Thrust straight into a knockout after nearly a year away from ODI cricket, the 20-year-old displayed her trademark confidence, insisting she is mentally ready for the challenge. Confident Return After a Year Out Shafali last played a 50-over international in 2024, but sees no reason for hesitation now. “It’s not new for…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai has long been a trusted venue for women’s cricket. But this Women’s Cricket World Cup has transformed it into something bigger – the centre of a movement. For the writer, who has been living, breathing and watching the game since childhood, this is personal. There was a time when mentioning women’s cricket would draw blank stares. The country simply didn’t know. Now? The change feels almost magical. At a cafe the other evening, a group of college students were passionately discussing Alana King. One admitted that he never knew…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai Pratika Rawal has been ruled out of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup due to an ankle injury, with Shafali Verma replacing her in the squad. Since RevSportz first broke the news of Pratika’s withdrawal, opinions have pulled strongly in both directions; some believe it’s a blessing in disguise, while others call it a major setback. But what has gone largely undiscussed is how this forced change affects the player at the other end, Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana and Shafali opened the innings for India from 27 June 2021 to 29 October 2024. In this period, their…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai The group stage of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 has wrapped up, with India’s clash against Bangladesh abandoned due to relentless rain. Now, it’s time for the all-important semi-finals. India take on the mighty Australians, on Thursday, at the DY Patil Stadium, fighting for a place in the final. There’s a lot of chatter going around in the cricketing circles. Can the Australians be rattled? Can India pull off a famous win? If any team can, it’s probably India, given how often they’ve pushed Australia to the brink. Yet, closing games out still…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai They stepped out of the hotel for coffee, two world-class athletes who had scripted a brilliant evening for their team just a night earlier. Hours before their next match, they needed fresh air, a break from hotel walls, a sliver of normal life in a foreign country. What followed was a moment that stripped away their sense of safety: followed, touched, violated. In a city that had been celebrating them. And yet, instead of universal empathy, the reaction fractured. Some questioned: Why did they go out? Why without security? That is where the story turns…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai “Tomorrow Is Another Game, We Stay Positive” Bangladesh’s position at the bottom of the table has left the squad hurting, but Shobhana Mostary insisted the mood hasn’t collapsed on the eve of a must-win clash against India. “We saw we are in 8th, it’s very disappointing,” she said. “We played well against Pakistan and challenged big teams but losing to Sri Lanka was very hard. Everyone is disappointed. But tomorrow is our game, everyone is positive.” Playing India: Fearless, Motivated and Hungry Beating India in a World Cup brings both sporting and financial motivation. Prize money…