Author: Trisha Ghosal

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…

Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai Death Overs Remain India’s Grey Zone India may have sealed their semi-final berth with a match to spare, but bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi knows the spotlight is still very much on his attack, particularly at the death. India failed to defend 251 and 330 in consecutive outings, raising familiar concerns. “We identify grey areas like slog overs and specifically work on them, grips, angles, execution spots,” Salvi said. “Pressure overs are part of the game. It’s a process: practise in nets, then execute in matches.” Dew has been a factor across venues, but Salvi refused to…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai India walk into their final group-stage clash against Bangladesh with the rare comfort that the result will not change their fate, they are already the fourth side confirmed for the semi-finals. Whatever happens, they stay put at No. 4; waiting on tonight’s showdown between Australia and South Africa to discover their knockout opponents. But this comfort has not been gifted. India are here because, at long last, the think-tank snapped out of its stubborn state of homeostasis. Throughout the tournament and even stretching back to the bilateral series against Australia, India had looked trapped in…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai The Hardest Pill to Swallow Sophie Devine has never been one to hide behind excuses. But as she fronted the press after New Zealand’s World Cup exit, her voice carried a mix of pride, pain, and perspective. “It’s tough, I thought I’d get through this without crying, but it’s emotional,” she admitted, reflecting on a campaign that fell apart in the face of both weather and opposition. “We worked incredibly hard, but sometimes in sport, hard work doesn’t guarantee results. That’s the hardest pill to swallow.” “We Just Didn’t Score Enough Runs” Asked what…

By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai India have marched into the semifinals after a commanding win over New Zealand at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, finishing fourth in the league stage. The victory came on the back of a record-breaking 212-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, both scoring hundreds, before Jemimah Rodrigues’ fluent 76 powered India to a mammoth total. New Zealand, despite Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday’s resistance, were undone early by Renuka Thakur’s double strike. Below are excerpts from Pratika Rawal’s post-match press conference, where the young opener spoke candidly about pressure, milestones, and her partnership with…