Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai After a well-earned two-day break, Team India were back in action, gearing up for what promises to be a high-voltage clash against New Zealand. The day began with a heartwarming gesture as Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, and Arshdeep Singh were the first to arrive at the ICC Academy, not just to train but to share the joy of cricket with schoolchildren . As part of ICC’s Cricket for Good community program, they played, laughed, and handed out food hampers, creating memories beyond the boundary ropes. Once the off-field commitments concluded, the focus shifted to the…

When New Zealand arrived on Indian shores last year for the Test series, their journey took them through the cricketing battlegrounds of Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Touring India or any other country is never just about facing a formidable opponent. It is about embracing the relentless challenge of unfamiliar conditions, especially in the gruelling five-day format of Test cricket. Adapting to the pitches, the heat, and the sheer intensity of Indian cricket is often as daunting as outplaying the home team. Yet, despite being without their greatest-ever batter, Kane Williamson, New Zealand defied expectations. They not only adjusted to…

-Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai Year after year, tournament after tournament, New Zealand continues to defy expectations, not with flamboyance but with quiet consistency. If there’s one team that has mastered the art of navigating ICC events, it’s them. Always labeled underdogs, yet always finding their way into the knockouts, a pattern that has held strong for a long time. The 2025 Champions Trophy has been no different. The Kiwis, unfazed by pre-tournament skepticism, have secured a semi-final spot with remarkable ease. They set the tone by outclassing Pakistan in the tournament opener and solidified their standing with a clinical win…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai On what appeared to be a batting paradise in Rawalpindi, Michael Bracewell wove a masterful spell, ensnaring four key wickets to shackle Bangladesh to a modest 236/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Though the chase seemed straightforward, Bangladesh jolted New Zealand early with two quick breakthroughs, giving Kiwi fans a slight scare. However, Rachin Ravindra’s elegantly constructed century, complemented by Tom Latham’s composed fifty, steadied the ship, guiding New Zealand to a comfortable five-wicket win. With this victory, New Zealand have secured their spot in the semi-finals alongside India from Group A, while Bangladesh and hosts…

While Virat Kohli stole the spotlight with a majestic century against Pakistan, it was Shreyas Iyer who provided the perfect supporting act, continuing his fine form with a composed 56 off 67 deliveries. On a sluggish pitch, Iyer ensured India never lost control during the middle-overs. Kohli, as always, anchored the chase with precision, maintaining a steady tempo through strike rotation and well-timed boundaries. But the real surprise was Iyer’s approach. Walking in at 100/2, he partnered with Kohli to stitch together a crucial century stand, their seventh in just 29 innings. While Kohli kept the scoreboard moving, Iyer started…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai It was nearing midnight in Dubai when the Pakistan team emerged from their first practice session at the ICC Academy, their focus sharpening ahead of the big ticket clash against India. The city had long settled into its night rhythm, but outside the academy, the energy was electric. A sea of eager faces, Pakistan fans in large numbers joined by a handful of Indians, had been waiting since 9:30 PM. Hats, T-shirts, bats, and caps clutched tightly in hopeful hands, they stood, eyes scanning for a glimpse of their heroes. When the players finally stepped out,…

-Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai With six wickets in hand and 63 runs still needed off 13.4 overs, tension crackled in the air. Then came the moment that changed it all. Jaker Ali, stationed under a regulation catch off Taskin Ahmed’s bowling, let the ball slip through his fingers. A lifeline for KL Rahul, heartbreak for Bangladesh. Rahul exhaled in relief, Rohit Sharma chuckled, while Taskin buried his face in his hands, shutting out the disbelief. The field mirrored the emotions in the stands—Indian fans erupted in cheers, while Bangladeshi supporters sat in stunned silence, their hopes momentarily shattered. But what…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai They say firsts are always special, and I couldn’t agree more. From the first time I watched a live match on TV in 2007 to now, stepping onto the grand stage to cover the very sport that shaped my dreams, this is the kind of story that destiny pens with a knowing smile. As I boarded my flight to Dubai, the gentleman seated beside me, with the warmth of a fellow traveller, asked, “What takes you to Dubai?” The moment I uttered the words “I’m covering the Champions Trophy,” his eyes lit up. What followed was…

Time slips away like grains of sand, and the Champions Trophy now looms on the horizon. This edition of the marquee ICC tournament will unfold across two nations—Pakistan will host the grand spectacle, while India’s battles will be fought under the gleaming lights of Dubai. The recently concluded tri-series in Pakistan, featuring the hosts, New Zealand, and South Africa, provided valuable insight into the pitch conditions there. But what about Dubai? Unlike Pakistan’s venues, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium recently hosted the ILT20, a T20 tournament. The last ODI at the venue was played between Canada and Scotland back in…

And just like that, India capped off the three-match ODI series against England with a win in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, securing a clean sweep. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, this was India’s final assignment before they fly out to Dubai for the marquee ICC event. Before the series began, there were plenty of questions—how returning senior players like Mohammed Shami, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav would perform, how the debutants would fare, and whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could rediscover their form. What might India’s ideal team combination be? By the end of the series, many…