Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

It wasn’t Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, or even Heinrich Klaasen. The day belonged to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s new hero, Ishan Kishan. In his tenth IPL season, playing for his third franchise and batting at number three, Ishan dismantled a hapless Rajasthan Royals attack on a flat pitch to produce a breathtaking maiden IPL century. His stunning 106 off just 47 balls was a masterclass in effortless stroke-play, ensuring SRH posted a mammoth total of 286. He hammered 11 fours and 6 sixes, but none were as exquisite as the two towering sixes over covers off Jofra Archer. The RR bowlers threw…

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, 03:30 PM What to expect A high-scoring game. The first game of the season at Uppal, with a fresh wicket and both teams boasting strong batting lineups. After an impressive run last season, where they reached the final, SRH have retained their core group and look just as formidable. With the addition of Ishan Kishan and Abhinav Manohar, their batting unit appears even more dangerous this year. The big question is how RR’s bowlers will contain the powerful SRH batting. While RR have quality bowlers, there is heavy reliance on…

Leaning back in relaxation, the cabin hummed with quiet anticipation as fifteen minutes remained before departure. A casual stroll towards the first-class and business section revealed two familiar faces – Aakash Chopra and Jatin Sapru. A brief conversation followed, punctuated by Aakash’s signature humour, drawing laughter that lingered even after returning to the seat. Just as the trip seemed to have reached a perfect conclusion, an unexpected surprise awaited, ready to make it even more unforgettable. Suddenly, a ripple of excitement swept through the left side of the plane. Passengers leapt from their seats, astonishment written across their…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai Earlier this month in Nagpur, when Shreyas Iyer walked in to bat, the weight on his shoulders was more than just the match situation. India had lost both openers early in a tricky run chase, Virat Kohli was absent, and the opposition was circling like vultures. But beyond all that, there was an unspoken pressure—one that comes with fighting for a place that was never meant to be yours, at least not in that moment. Iyer was only in the XI because of an unexpected opening, a sudden chance created by Kohli’s absence due to knee…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai At the top, you’ve got a dynamic opener; alongside him, the number one ODI batter in the world at the moment, followed by arguably the greatest ODI batter of all time. Add in a solid anchor at four, a versatile floater, a flexible batter, and two reliable finishers. This lineup sounds like a dream team, almost like the Avengers assembling. This isn’t a fantasy. It’s India’s current ODI playing eleven. With two of the finest to ever grace the 50-over format, seamlessly complemented by the class of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, and ignited…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai Shubman Gill hurried back into the press conference room. The session had ended, but a storm had already begun brewing over his words. His comment on Rohit Sharma’s retirement had set off a flurry of speculation, and he was determined to clear the air. ‘Jaise aap soch rahe ho vaise meaning nahi tha (Nothing like what you guys are thinking),’ the Indian team amanger explained after Gill prompted him, attempting to quell the speculation ignited by Gill’s earlier statement: “There has been no such talk in the dressing room. We are only focused on the match.…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai On a grand stage where experience often dictates the narrative, Varun Chakravarthy defied convention. In just his second ODI and his first Champions Trophy appearance, the mystery spinner conjured up a spellbinding performance, dismantling New Zealand’s batting lineup with a masterful five-wicket haul. His artistry with the ball not only halted the Kiwis’ unbeaten streak but also sent a ripple of concern through their camp. With the big-ticket final looming, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead acknowledged the looming threat of Varun’s craft, vowing that his team would devise a strategy to decode the enigma before…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai India required six wickets in the final session to secure victory in the first Test against New Zealand at Kanpur. On a sluggish surface tailor-made for spin, the trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel would have fancied their chances of running through the New Zealand lineup. However, amidst the chaos, a little-known debutant, Rachin Ravindra—a spin-bowling all-rounder—displayed remarkable composure. Batting at No. 8, he withstood relentless pressure, facing 15.1 overs to help New Zealand salvage a hard-fought draw. His judgment of length and nimble footwork proved that he belonged on the biggest stage.…

Chasing 363 runs was always going to be a herculean task, and for a while, South Africa seemed to be holding their own, thanks to the efforts of Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen. However, the turning point came when Mitchell Santner delivered a spell that changed the course of the match. He bagged three crucial wickets—those of Bavuma, Rassie, and Heinrich Klaasen—swinging the momentum in New Zealand’s favour. David Miller remained resolute at one end, finishing with an unbeaten hundred, but with the collapse of the lower order around him, the Proteas fell short by 50 runs. The…

-Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai There are moments in the game that define a team’s ability to think ahead, to trust instinct over convention, and to back players in roles that seem unconventional at first glance. India’s decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 and push KL Rahul down to No. 6 is one such strategic masterpiece, one that has silenced skeptics and justified the team management’s faith in adaptability over rigidity. After India’s opening Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, criticism mounted over the team management’s decision to push Axar to No. 5. Axar’s modest eight-run contribution in that game…