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First Post
6 minutes ago
- First Post
Brook and Root's zen-like batting, Indian pace fight back sets up fitting denouement to dramatic Test series at The Oval
How we got there though was the most electric day of cricket, a fitting denouement to a series that has promised much and been closely fought but in reality has lacked this sort of dramatic flair. read more Harry Brook and Joe Root slammed centuries and added 195 runs for the fourth wicket, nearly steering England to victory on Day 4 of the fifth Test at The Oval. Reuters Well good luck sleeping after that. India and England will return to The Oval on Day Five – the abandonment of play with so little left to run in the game adding a touch of farce to a . The equation: England need 35 runs, India three wickets plus potentially the scalp of a one-armed man – Chris Woakes' participation still a matter of speculation. How we got there though was the most electric day of cricket, a fitting denouement to a series that has promised much and been closely fought but in reality has lacked this sort of dramatic flair. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD England arrived needing 324 more runs from a target of 374, the sound of Zak Crawley's stumps still faintly clattering in their ears from the night before. History suggests nobody really chases that much – only nine larger targets have been successfully hunted down in Test history. But wait, not all was as it seems, one of those chases was a Bazballian masterclass against India themselves in 2022 and only four Tests ago in this series England chased down 371 to win at Headingley – history might be with them after all. From this almost cartoonishly alluring set up the day could surely only disappoint. Well no, as it happens… Brook, Root nearly take England home England started determinedly but a world away from the rat-a-tat scoring pace that they like to impose on the opposition – India's tricky trio of seamers making runs a commodity hard to come by. Every play and miss or half chance for the tourists greeted with cheers and whistles from the Indian half of a crowd with evenly divided loyalties. The anticipatory smell of wickets hung in the air. England were battling bravely but not going anywhere fast, the stoic fight of a team almost certainly heading to defeat but doing so with a stiff upper lip. The wickets did come, Duckett then Pope, England three down (plus Woakes) with victory still a speck on the horizon 268 runs away. The only thing that could rescue England was an unfathomably large partnership – a distant dream that Joe Root and Harry Brook soon set about delivering. Every boundary from Brook & Root's incredible partnership 🤝 195 runs 🏏 24 boundaries 💥 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 3, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It started with a moment of high drama, Brook caught on the boundary by Mohammad Siraj on 19, only for him to step on the rope – from out to six in the blink of a clumsily-placed stride – an almost unnecessarily cruel blow for India's most wholehearted competitor in this series. As reprieves go it looked like being game changing, suddenly Root and Brook were batting in a zen-like state, picking off singles wherever they pleased, toying with India as they ticked the runs and milestones down – Brook notching a 10th Test match hundred with half an hour to go before the tea break. With just 73 more needed it seemed England were going to do it with a hand tied behind their back – take note Chris Woakes – the drums, shouts and whistles from the once vociferous Indian section of the crowd a long forgotten memory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another twist in the tale This day though had more twists in store. Brook would go, the inevitability of an England win trudging back to the pavilion with him. The fervour of Indian support had been restored, suddenly the tourists were bowling on a minefield that had only just seemed like a road. Pacer Prasidh Krishna struck twice after tea on Day 4 of the fifth Test at The Oval, dismissing Jacob Bethell and a well-set Joe Root. Reuters It seemed Root bringing up his hundred had tipped the momentum back in England's favour, but India had other plans. Suddenly the runs that had flowed all day have never looked harder to come by, England were bogged down by India's relentlessly committed pace attack. Bethell went, then Root, the 35 runs England needed for victory seeming impossible when only a few hours before 200 had seemed like a formality. Then the rain, the gratification of a result in this Test delayed. The sickening thrill of a match whose status is now 'overnight' – cricket's magical limbo where anything could happen the next day. 35 runs or four wickets? Monday will have the answers.
The Hindu
6 minutes ago
- The Hindu
On the track towards belonging
The completion of the the Udhampur, Srinagar, Baramulla rail link project, or the Jammu–Baramulla line, nearly four decades in the making, marks not only a historic engineering achievement in one of the most formidable terrains on the planet, but also the quiet fulfilment of a long-standing promise between the Indian state and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Spanning 272 km through the Pir Panjal and Himalayan ranges, this railway line is more than steel and concrete; it is a bridge of belonging. Mobility equates to opportunity. The railway line connects places such as Sopore, Anantnag, Qazigund, and Banihal to the national economy. It brings markets closer, education within reach, and jobs within possibility. Each train narrows not just physical distance but also psychological gaps. This railway line fosters the sentiment that national integration is not merely about symbolism but practical access, investment, and shared development. In a region long marked by conflict, this railway line offers a quieter story — one of shared work, patience, and steady progress. It won't resolve every issue, but it shifts the conversation towards connection and common purpose. The train carries the message that Kashmir is not peripheral to India, but central to its journey forward. SPOTLIGHT | Building bridges to Kashmir Audacity and achievement This milestone would not have been possible without the undaunted spirit of India's railway engineers. From the snow-bound tunnels of Pir Panjal to the vertiginous heights of the Chenab bridge, these professionals and workers toiled through some of the harshest natural conditions imaginable. They worked through deep winters, unpredictable landslides, and security concerns. Their courage and commitment deserve the gratitude of a nation. The Indian Railways has a proud tradition of such resolve. In the 19th century, railway engineers built a railway through the treacherous Western Ghats and delivered the Bhor Ghat section that connects Mumbai with the Deccan. During the Assam rail-link project of 1948, when newly independent India faced a logistical crisis in connecting the Northeast, the legendary railway engineer Sardar Karnil Singh (later Chairman of the Railway Board) and his team built 200 kilometres of line in record time, including more than 300 bridges. The Jammu-Baramulla line now joins this lineage of audacity and achievement. It is a reminder that while governments may change and priorities may shift, the railway engineer — anonymous and often unsung — continues to be one of the Republic's most enduring architects. Their work does not merely connect places; it connects lives, aspirations, and identities. It is they who transform maps into meanings and blueprints into belonging. The symbolism of the Jammu-Baramulla line lies not only in what it connects but also in what it overcomes. The project navigated not only geotechnical obstacles and climatic extremities, but also long periods of political uncertainty and civil unrest. Each completed tunnel and bridge, therefore, is an engineering feat and also a marker of perseverance and institutional commitment in the face of adversity. EDITORIAL | Connecting bridge: On the Chenab Rail Bridge Strategic importance The line's strategic importance is also worth underlining. By linking Kashmir's northernmost railhead with the rest of India's railway grid, it brings unparalleled logistical advantages for civilian mobility, trade, and even emergency response. The line also reduces dependence on the single Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which is vulnerable to landslides and closures during winter. In doing so, it enhances the resilience of Kashmir's connectivity and helps ensure the regular flow of essentials such as food, fuel, and medicine. For students and patients who earlier endured long road journeys over mountainous passes, the railway offers comfort, affordability, and dignity. It reduces both the cost and the emotional toll of separation, making it easier for families to stay connected. In time, it will also make the region more attractive to investors and institutions, opening the doors for industrial parks, skill development centres, and agro-logistics hubs to be developed in and around stations such as Anantnag, Awantipora, and Baramulla. Culturally too, the railway becomes a conduit for exchange. As trains bring people to and from the Valley, they also carry stories, memories, and understanding. The rail journey is a slow but steady social equaliser, allowing a common experience to emerge across geographies. For many in the Valley who had never travelled far beyond their districts, it opens a new window to the rest of the country — and vice versa. The future now depends on how we build around this backbone. The completion of the Jammu-Baramulla line must be followed by careful planning of last-mile linkages, station area development, and service frequency enhancement. Local entrepreneurs, women's groups, and artisans must be enabled to benefit from the access that this line provides. Government agencies and private players must together create ecosystems around these stations, so they become not just halts, but hubs of rural transformation. This project is a testament to what democratic development looks like in action — patient, deliberate, and deeply transformational. The tracks may be made of steel, but the promise they carry is one of trust. And that may be the most powerful foundation on which to build the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Sarabjit Arjan Singh, former general manager, Indian Railway, and former member of Central Administrative Tribunal.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hospitality boom heats up in twin cities
1 2 Ahmedabad: The twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, positioning as a strategic business and tourism hub, are all set to add about 1,000 new branded room keys with global hotel chains expanding their presence and several properties being rebranded or revamped in this region. Ahmedabad – a potential host city for the 2036 Olympics, if India secures the bid – is seeing its skyline change. Leading the change is Marriott International, which recently unveiled a revamped Le Méridien hotel in Ramdevnagar, offering 164 keys. Formerly operating as Courtyard by Marriott, the property has been redesigned with an upscale aesthetic and renewed focus on guest experience. Another Courtyard property on Sindhu Bhawan Road has been deflagged and is reportedly undergoing a complete transformation under a new brand, sources told TOI. "The Ahmedabad market is maturing fast. We're seeing demand from not only business travellers but also lifestyle-conscious guests. That's pushing owners to rethink brand positioning," said an industry insider. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Sindhu Bhawan Road, in particular, is emerging as a hospitality hotspot. With office towers, luxury residences, and retail zones rapidly developing, hotel brands are moving in. Hyatt is likely to launch a Hyatt Place on this stretch, adding to its existing pipeline of projects in Sanand and the fast-growing GIFT City, as is learnt from source. "This rise in activity comes as Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar is being reshaped into a major business district. If India wins the 2036 Olympic bid, the region will likely see accelerated infrastructure investments and increased global visibility. There's a long-term view now: developers, brands, and investors are aligning to ensure that the region meets international hospitality standards," said travel industry expert Ankit Bajaj. TOI has also learnt that Marriott is in talks to add another property in the city along SG Highway under its MHRS (Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites) portfolio, as part of a broader push into high-growth Indian cities. Similarly, Hilton is exploring a second project in Ahmedabad following the success of its DoubleTree by Hilton at Bopal-Ambli Road. The group has already announced expansion plans across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bihar under its Hampton brand. Email queries to Marriott and Hilton seeking specific details on their expansion plans went unanswered. In another sign of momentum, luxury hospitality player Atmosphere Core is considering entering Ahmedabad, claim industry insiders. Known for its experiential properties across South Asia, its arrival would further diversify the city's offerings. As Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar emerge as a business and administrative capital with GIFT City rising as a fintech nucleus, the hospitality sector in this market is redefining urban development and the scale of luxury offerings here. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
