‘Shubman Gill Will Be Tested as Captain': Piyush Chawla on India's England Mission
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The Hindu
22 minutes ago
- The Hindu
India's here-and-now man Siraj ushers in the future
It is unlikely that Indian television will devise a 'Sirajcam', but it should. Since the retirement of Virat Kohli (and the so-called 'Kohlicam', seemingly focused exclusively on him), it is Siraj's face that screens in real time all the emotions he and his team go through. There is sorrow and joy, disappointment and anticipation, humour and anger (England players called him Mr. Angry), and sometimes a combination. Watching him you know exactly how the team is doing. His shoulders never drop, he seldom cuts his speed, doesn't believe in saving it for the future. He is Indian cricket's here-and-now man, focused intensely on the present. Yet even he didn't register immediately the enormity of what he had done when, with a yorker his hero Jasprit Bumrah would have been proud of, he flattened Gus Atkinson's off stump. For a split second the screen that was his face went blank before shock, disbelief, ecstasy chased each other across it. Then his expressive hands came into play, hands raised in thanksgiving, and signalling redemption at the Oval after he had messed up a catch the previous day. In a series dominated by batting, his 23 wickets might have seen Siraj finish as the Player of the Series, but he will not cavil at the final choice, his captain Shubhman Gill. After all, Gill had been responsible for India's win at Edgbaston following the loss at Leeds, and had led the fight that culminated in a draw at Old Trafford to keep the series alive. Asked what he had learnt as captain, Gill articulated what might well be the team's motto: 'We never give up'. Gill has deservedly slipped into the slot occupied by Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar before him. The team is a productive mix of the established and the newbies who look up to the new captain. India return a better team than the one that landed in England, and you can't ask for more. Ironically, India won twice without Bumrah's presence. His absence seems to motivate Siraj more. He enjoys the responsibility of being the lead fast bowler. Seven wickets in Birmingham and nine at the Oval, 16 wickets in India's wins. Few supporting acts slide into the main role so easily. From Lord's to the Oval 🏟️ The power of belief 💪 A dramatic turnaround by Mohd. Siraj that inspired the change in emotions and result 🙌#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @ — BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2025 Has there been a more thrilling five-Test series involving India? Both teams must contribute to the excitement, of course, and England did so in equal measure, Bazballing to the end, staying with their philosophy, keeping at it come rain or sunshine or Mohammed Siraj. The dismissals of Harry Brook in the first innings and Jamie Smith in the second might have caused comment in other teams. But this is England. This is what they do. Ben Stokes, the on-field instigator of bright, entertaining cricket may have been a spectator here, but stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, despite personal failures, went with the programme. It's been a series of incredible cricket. One swing of the bat might have tied the final Test. As Siraj began his 31st over, the 86th of the innings, any of four results (although the draw might have needed the help of rain) was still possible. The odds on England making it 3-1 had receded somewhat, but someone still needed to take the final wicket. Preferably one where the DRS was not involved! Siraj made sure of both. There is time enough to discuss things that could have been better. Things that could have been avoided. From Gautam Gambhir's outburst and classist remarks to the rethink on Bumrah; from team selection to gaps yet to be filled. It has to be celebration time now, a 2-2 finish a fair one. India did win most of the sessions of play overall even if they didn't quite win some key moments. None of that matters now. For a team in transition to draw a series in England is remarkable. It came down to one man taking three wickets on the final morning. Siraj has explained how he googled the Cristiano Ronaldo emoji with 'Believe' (Ronaldo is with his arm raised and forefinger up rather like Siraj when he appeals for a wicket) to inspire him. Next time Ronaldo feels low, he can google Mohammed Siraj who believed. And triumphed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shedding weight, Karthi Selvam back in India hockey team fold
CHENNAI: After a two-year span, Tamil Nadu's Karthi Selvam has earned a spot in the Indian men's hockey team, for the four-match tour to Australia from August 15 to 21. The 23-year-old Karthi last featured in national colours during the Asian Champions Trophy and had a good outing in front of his home crowd. However, he was out of reckoning since then before securing his entry into the 24-member squad to Perth. 'It feels good to get a chance after a long time. After the Asian Champions Trophy, I was not part of the Indian camp, so I did not train regularly due to which I put on a lot of weight. Being a forward, fitness is very important, and I have worked hard in the last one year to be fit. I see a lot of improvement and think that I have reached the standards to be part of the Indian team,' Karthi told TOI over a call. Karthi returned to the core probables group for the national camp earlier this year and was part of several India 'A' tours to Europe. The performances in those tours could have landed him a spot in the India squad. 'After improving my fitness, coaches told me to work on my play from nine yards and work on footwork. The experience in the recent tour to Europe was productive as we got to compete with the main teams. I created several goal-scoring opportunities, and the coaches told me that I have improved my game,' Karthi added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai With the Australian tour serving as a precursor to the Asia Cup, the World Cup qualifying competition, Karthi will be eyeing for a berth in the continental event. 'I do not have any pressure, but I have to make full use of the opportunity that I get in the four matches. I would like to execute what the coach wants and play for the team.' One area of concern has been the lack of field goals and efforts are being put in to improve in this aspect. 'We are working on scoring field goals. We are focusing on specific inputs, such as how to score from the top of the D and how to build a good connection among the forwards. Field goals will come only if there is proper coordination between the forwards. From outside, I felt there was a good connection, but it was missing for a short period. We created many chances but failed to convert them.'
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
After FIDE Women's World Cup title, Divya Deshmukh learns to deal with overnight stardom
Divya Deshmukh starts chuckling as she talks about her 'Messi moment' in Batumi. In the heady hours after she became the FIDE Women's World Cup champion — simultaneously sealing her Grandmaster title in one shot and securing a spot at the Women's Candidates event — she was briefly confronted with a problem: how to pose with her trophy for Instagram. Then, Lionel Messi came up with an assist: Divya remembered three photos the Argentine legend had posted snuggling the World Cup Trophy in bed that garnered over 50 million likes. It's a photo that has been recreated by multiple athletes like Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso after winning the FIFA World Cup. 'I saw this picture long ago from Messi. So yeah, it was definitely inspired by Messi,' Divya tells The Indian Express. 'I also wanted to click one while I was sleeping next to the trophy (like the original photo from Messi). But unfortunately, I was so tired, I just fell asleep.' Remind her that the trophy is hers to keep so she can recreate it any day, and she smiles: 'I'm thinking maybe I'll do it with the next trophy.' Since that title in Batumi, the teenager's fame has shot through the roof. Everyone wants to be a part of her success: union ministers and state chief ministers have video-called her. She's been invited to the country's capital for an audience with the sports minister. There were so many messages on her phone across apps that she's lost count now. 'There were too many of them. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten back to most of them. I'm just one person. It's taking me a lot of time. But I'm so grateful that there were a lot of messages,' she says. Divya's coronation as Indian chess' next big thing happened in Nagpur, complete with a road show in front of thousands of residents, just like Chennai welcomes its chess sons after world-conquering feats in distant lands. She's still as tired as she was in Batumi a week back; her time is at a premium now as wave after wave of felicitation events and well-wishers dropping by at her home keep her occupied. 'When I landed in Nagpur, seeing the crowd that showed up, particularly so many kids, that was very special for me,' she says before adding: 'But among all of that, the most enduring moment came on August 2 (at the event where she was felicitated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis). When I entered, I saw at least 50 percent of the crowd were kids and they were all cheering my name. It just felt like such a nice moment.' Amidst all the hype, Divya's been keen to share the spotlight. At the Nagpur roadshow, she held up a framed photo of her first coach Rahul Joshi, who passed away a few years back. She even dedicated her grandmaster title to him. Joshi was, after all, the first believer in Divya's talent, a man who convinced her parents and Divya herself that she could be one of the best. Divya reveals that she was just six or seven years old when Joshi had prophesied that she would become a grandmaster one day. So convinced was Joshi of his prediction that he made the then seven-year-old sign a declaration on a piece of paper that she would become a GM by the age of 14 or 15. 'He was the guiding force behind my career since I was too small to understand. He was guiding my parents too, telling them how things work in the chess world. He was the one who pushed me to play at the state championship and then the Nationals. When I won my first Nationals, both my parents and I were not even aware that the Nationals lead to the Asian Championships and World Championships; or that there were events like Asian Championships and World Championships in the sport. For my first age-group Championship, he came along with me and the experience was quite surreal. 'From my childhood, the grandmaster title was something that he knew I was eventually going to achieve. If he was here today, he would have been very happy,' Divya says. It was at those age-group tournaments, Divya says, that she picked up the attributes that make her among the best today. Like her ability to never agree to draws. Her aggression on the chessboard. The mentality of never being overawed by the occasion, no matter how big. 'What has helped me the most in my career was playing in age-category events. Usually in the last round of these events, it was quite crucial because either you get a medal or you just come fourth or something. So, it was in those events that I learned how to manage my nerves and I always wanted to aim for the gold. I think I got my fighting spirit to never give up from there. That is the one thing that has helped me a lot,' she adds. Ask her if there is one moment from her career — barring the FIDE World Cup title — that stands out for her and defines her career, and she replies: 'I don't think one moment would ever be enough, right?' The World Cup triumph was not just a crowning moment for Divya, it was a turn-of-the-page moment for Indian chess, particularly women's chess, perfectly captured by the sight of two Indian women, Divya and Koneru Humpy, fighting for the title while two Chinese players fought for third place on the next board. 'When I initially got to know that Humpy is the one who is in the final with me, I was very happy for India and Indian chess. Especially young girls who may be looking to take chess as a sport. I knew that either way, the trophy was coming to India. 'In the last two-three years, it has been quite an uprising for Indian chess. India — thanks to everything others like Gukesh, Pragg, Arjun (Erigaisi), Nihal (Sarin) have done — has definitely proven that we are here to stay,' she adds. Amit Kamath is Assistant Editor at The Indian Express and is based in Mumbai. ... Read More
