Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in Melbourne The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was hanging by a thread. At 191/6, India’s dreams of retaining the trophy and staying alive in the race for the World Test Championship final seemed to be fading fast. The pressure was immense — not just on the team but particularly on Nitish Kumar Reddy, who walked in with the weight of a million expectations on his young shoulders. This wasn’t just another Test innings; this was a battle of resilience, belief and character. Shubman Gill had been dropped to accommodate Reddy and Washington Sundar, with the management backing them as all-rounders.…

Trisha Ghosal in Melbourne There’s a saying in cricket: “Play hard, play fair.” But when it comes to the Australian cricketing ecosystem—media, crowd, and sometimes players—one wonders if the “fair” part has been conveniently forgotten. This Test series has brought to the fore not just great cricket but also the sheer pettiness of the Australian media and crowd, who seem rattled by an Indian team that refuses to buckle under pressure. The latest target of their scorn? Virat Kohli, arguably one of the greatest cricketers of this generation, a match-winner whose exploits have redefined the game. And how is this…

Trisha Ghosal in Melbourne Some innings are remembered not for the runs scored but for the character they reveal. Cheteshwar Pujara’s 56 at the Gabba during India’s historic chase in January 2021 and Marnus Labuschagne’s 72 on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) are prime examples of the unyielding spirit that defines Test cricket at its finest. Two Innings, Two Contexts, One Grit Pujara, in 2021, was India’s immovable object against Australia’s irresistible force. On Day 5 of the Gabba Test, the Australian bowlers unleashed relentless short-pitched hostility, targeting Pujara’s body and…

As the clock ticks down to the Boxing Day Test, all eyes are on Australia’s two batting mainstays, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. For years, these two have anchored the Aussie batting line-up, but their recent form — and their net session yesterday — raise critical questions about their readiness to take on a confident Indian bowling attack. Labuschagne’s Battle Against the Pacers Labuschagne’s technique has often been celebrated, but yesterday’s nets exposed a vulnerability that India will surely look to exploit. Facing Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, Labuschagne found himself tangled against deliveries in the good-length zone, especially those…

Trisha Ghosal in Melbourne For every cricket lover, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is more than just a stadium—it’s a sacred colosseum, a theatre where legends are forged, and history is written. On Monday, I stepped into this hallowed ground, and for a fleeting moment, time stood still. As I walked through the entrance, my heart raced. The enormity of the arena hit me instantly, its vastness both intimidating and inviting. The stands, empty for now but alive with echoes of past roars, seemed to whisper stories of heroes and heartbreaks. I paused, took two deep breaths, and let the…

When Virat Kohli lost his cool at Melbourne airport, the moment quickly became a talking point. Cameras zoomed in, opinions flew, and debates erupted. Was Kohli overreacting? Should he expect privacy in public spaces? After all, isn’t fame a “package deal”—adoration on one hand and scrutiny on the other? But lurking beneath the surface lies a much bigger question—one that extends beyond sport, beyond celebrity, and strikes at the core of what we value as a society: Where do we draw the line between admiration and intrusion? This isn’t just about Kohli, or about cricket. It’s about the very human…

In a surprising turn of events, Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the Border-Gavaskar series, at the conclusion of the third Test at the Gabba. For fans like me, who have admired Ashwin’s journey from the sidelines, this moment felt like the end of an extraordinary era. Ashwin’s career has been nothing short of phenomenal—537 Test wickets, countless match-winning performances, and the quiet intelligence that made him not just a cricketer but a master craftsman. Beyond the records and achievements, though, Ashwin’s story has offered lessons that anyone, even non-cricket lovers, can carry into their own…

After a tough 3-0 loss in the ODI series against Australia, India Women return to the T20 format, eager to bounce back in a three-match series against the West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. For the hosts, it is a chance to close out a mixed year on a high note, while also laying the groundwork for the next ICC T20 World Cup. For the visitors, a team brimming with confidence after a strong World Cup showing and improved performances in 2024, it is an opportunity to break their eight-match losing streak against India. India: New…

India’s women’s cricket is at a crossroads. Once touted as the next big force in world cricket, the team now finds itself led by a captain whose leadership is as uninspired as her batting is inconsistent. Harmanpreet Kaur, the power-hitter who once carried the hopes of millions, now seems to weigh the team down—both as a leader and a batter. Let’s begin with her captaincy, or the sheer lack of it. Leadership demands courage, proactive thinking, and composure—qualities Harmanpreet repeatedly fail to display. During crucial games, when the opposition dominates, her approach lacks vision. There’s no urgency to innovate, no…

When Amol Muzumdar was appointed as the head coach of the Indian women’s team, there was hope. Hope that a seasoned domestic stalwart would bring structure, stability, and strategy to a team poised to dominate world cricket. Nearly a year into his tenure, however, that hope seems misplaced. Inconsistent selections, lack of defined roles, a revolving door of debutants, and a startling absence of accountability have become the new normal. The World Cup is less than a year away, yet India look anything but ready. So, it’s time to ask some hard questions – ones Muzumdar must answer, not deflect…