Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

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…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai For Indian fans, cricket is more than just a sport; it’s a whirlwind of emotions, woven with moments of glory and heartbreak. Yet, among those memories lies a nightmare they wish to erase – the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. That night, a swashbuckling left-hand batter, Travis Head, a name that still stirs unease in the stands, shattered their dreams and rewrote history. That night, under the floodlights, as India hoped for a fairytale ending, it was Head who snatched the script, rewrote it, and walked away with the trophy. And not just once—he has…

While all eyes were glued to the high-octane clash between India and New Zealand in Dubai, the Australian team quietly went about their business at the ICC Academy. Uncertain of their semi-final opponent, Steve Smith and his men still made the trip, preparing for whatever lay ahead. India’s commanding 44-run victory over New Zealand has set up a blockbuster semi-final against Australia. Remarkably, the Aussies have made it this far without five of their key players—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis. Unlike India, who dominated all three of their group-stage games, Australia have played just…

Some bowlers torment opposition batters, while others keep their own wicketkeeper on edge. Mohammed Shami does both. With a rhythmic run-up, effortless acceleration, and a high, commanding release, Shami embodies the essence of a perfect fast bowler. His follow-through is as smooth as his seam position—both a thing of beauty and a nightmare for batters. Despite battles with injuries, his numbers speak volumes: 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 202 in 105 ODIs, and 27 in 25 T20Is. Since 2018, he hasn’t just been a bowler; he’s been India’s game-changer, a relentless force with the ball in hand. Shami’s action is…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai Virat Kohli was seen defending off the back foot against the pacers in Wednesday’s net session. But he soon expanded his game, crunching a couple of pull shots. The focus of India’s premier batter was on short-of-a-good-length deliveries, fully aware of the challenge ahead as India face New Zealand next, a team boasting a lineup of tall fast bowlers. Much of the build-up to this clash has revolved around New Zealand’s spinners testing India’s batting might. But Kohli’s session painted a different picture, one of calculated preparation against the fast-bowling challenge that lies ahead. Even in…