Author: Trisha Ghosal

Trisha Ghosal in Navi Mumbai History, it seems, loves symmetry, especially when it comes to India and New Zealand in World Cups. Eight years ago, at Derby in 2017, India found themselves on the brink. After four wins and two losses, a knockout-like clash against New Zealand stood between them and a semi-final berth. In 2025, the storyline feels eerily familiar, two wins, three losses, and another do-or-die battle against the same opponent. Only the setting has changed; the stakes and the tension remain identical. Back in 2017, India turned pressure into performance. Mithali Raj, calm and composed as ever,…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai There’s a certain rhythm to an international team’s practice session – chatter, feedback, the sound of bat on ball, followed by a quick word from a coach adjusting a grip or tweaking a stance. But when it comes to the Indian women’s team under Amol Muzumdar, there’s a striking absence of that interaction. At the nets in Indore, where India held their first full training session ahead of their next matches, the pattern was impossible to miss. Bowling coach Avishkar Salvi was constantly on the move, walking up to each bowler, talking through lines, lengths, and…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai India’s campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is teetering, and the person expected to hold the side together, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, seems to be slipping further away. One half-century in five games, no post-match press conference appearances, and a string of reactive tactical calls, it’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t just lose matches; it erodes accountability. Where is the leader when the team keeps losing? In three consecutive defeats, to South Africa, Australia, and now England, Harmanpreet hasn’t once fronted up to the media after the match. Each time, it’s been someone…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore India’s campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has reached its most fragile point yet. Three consecutive defeats, to South Africa, Australia and now England, have not just dented their confidence but also exposed a recurring pattern: promising starts collapsing under pressure. As the caravan now moves to Navi Mumbai for the final two group games, the team stands on a knife’s edge. With Australia, South Africa and England already through to the semi-finals, the final spot will likely be decided by the India–New Zealand clash on October 23. It’s a must-win, virtual quarter-final…

By Trisha Ghosal in Indore India lost their third consecutive game at the ICC Women’s World Cup. Chasing 289, Smriti Mandhana (88), Harmanpreet Kaur (70) and Deepti Sharma (50) all got set, but none stayed till the end to see the team through. After the game, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana addressed the media. Here are the excerpts from the press conference. On India’s failure to finish games “I think if you see our games, especially the last three, we haven’t really finished well in the last five overs,” Mandhana said. “We lost five or six wickets in that phase, and that’s…

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…