Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in Indore England became the third team to qualify for the semi-finals in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, beating India by four runs, a result scripted largely by former captain Heather Knight’s composed century. After the last-over thriller, Knight addressed the media. Here are the excerpts of her press conference. On whether England erred after winning toss Asked if England erred by batting first, Knight admitted there was a moment of uncertainty. “At the start, there was a little bit more bounce, almost like a tennis ball, and it was stopping slightly. But it didn’t turn as much…

Trisha Ghosal in Indore The weather in Indore may be calm and forgiving, but the atmosphere at the Holkar Stadium on the eve of the India–England clash is anything but. For India, this is a must-win contest to keep their World Cup hopes alive. For England, victory will mean sealing a semi-final spot alongside Australia and South Africa. India come into this fixture after two consecutive losses, and while that might weigh on the points table, it hasn’t dented their spirit. “The best thing is that we got this break,” said Deepti Sharma in the pre-match press conference yesterday, reflecting…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore As the saying goes, practice makes a person perfect. But mindless repetition rarely creates perfection. The Indian team seems to have realised that ever since arriving in Indore. Having followed them closely since their bilateral series against Australia, the writer can vouch that the last three days have been among the most purposeful and grounded sessions this group has had in a long time. When a cricketer plays at the international level, it’s assumed they already know their craft. These 15 players are no different. Yet, after a demanding start to the World Cup, India’s…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore India will be taking on England in a crucial World Cup clash at Indore in a little over 48 hours. So far, India have been getting their combination wrong. While on paper they seem to be playing five bowlers, in reality it’s more like 4.5. Amanjot Kaur isn’t a new-ball bowler, which puts additional pressure on the young Kranti Gaud to deliver early breakthroughs. Against England, India must play Renuka Singh Thakur. The only question is, who does she replace in the XI? Ideally, the choice should be between Harleen Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues, but…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore In the middle of World Cup buzz and packed training schedules, sometimes cricket reminds you it’s not just about the big moments under lights, but also about the quiet ones that happen far from the cameras. One such moment unfolded in Visakhapatnam this week, a story of kindness, humility, and a young cricketer’s joy. As the Australian team prepared for their fixtures against India and Bangladesh, a young left-arm pacer from Visakhapatnam, Parthasarathi Maharana, found himself bowling to world-class batters in the nets. Just 18, fresh from a five-wicket haul in the ACA U19 Men’s…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore The Indian women’s team has lost two back-to-back matches in the World Cup, and suddenly, social media has turned into a playground for the worst kind of misogyny. It’s not about tactics, selections, or strike rates anymore, it’s about reminding women where they “belong”. The kitchen jokes are back. The old clips of men saying “women should never play cricket” are being retweeted with glee. And the same people who don’t remember the last bilateral series India played, have suddenly found their voice to declare that women’s cricket is a waste of investment. The irony…

Trisha Ghosal in Indore It’s a pleasant morning in Indore, but the conversation around Indian cricket is anything but. The chatter on social media, fuelled by half-truths and full-blown assumptions, has turned what should be a healthy cricketing debate into an unpleasant controversy. At the centre of it all, Pratika Rawal. The young opener’s strike-rate and her father’s position as a BCCI umpire have somehow become topics of national scrutiny. Let’s separate the noise from the numbers. For starters, the “nepotism” claim collapses under the weight of cold, hard data. In 21 ODI innings, Pratika has scored 982 runs at…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore The afternoon sun glinted off the freshly painted letters at the ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, “Mithali Raj Stand.” It was more than a nameplate; it was the culmination of a journey that began in the shadows and ended in light. As the Andhra Cricket Association unveiled the stand named after Mithali Raj in the presence of the ICC President Jay Shah, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, ACA President Kesineni Sivanath and other officials, ahead of the India–Australia Women’s World Cup fixture, the moment felt larger than ceremony. It felt like an acknowledgment, not just…

By Trisha Ghosal in Vizag It poured in Vizag the moment the match ended, almost as if the skies themselves couldn’t bear India’s heartbreak. Two matches. Two collapses. Two defeats that now leave India’s World Cup campaign hanging by a thread. Against the might of Australia, the hosts once again faltered in the moments that mattered most. Here are five reasons why India lost, not just the game, but the control of their own destiny. 1. The Rigidity in the Batting Order This defeat began long before the final wicket fell, it began in the dugout. India’s stubborn insistence on…

Trisha Ghosal in Visakhapatnam India’s World Cup campaign hit a roadblock in Vizag, with back-to-back defeats against South Africa and Australia. From 302/5 to 330 all out, India once again faltered at the death and the decision to go in with just five bowlers added to their woes. Head coach Amol Muzumdar addressed the media after the loss, reflecting on the team’s batting, bowling balance, and lessons ahead. Finishing, the key area of improvement “According to me, finishing is extremely important in cricket,” Muzumdar stressed when asked about the consecutive defeats. “I always say in the dressing room that while…