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Unfair play: What is driving India's doping surge?

Unfair play: What is driving India's doping surge?

Deccan Heralda day ago
The doping crisis in Indian sport is no longer limited to a few errant individuals; it is widespread and entrenched.
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India lose early wickets in chase after bowlers set it up
India lose early wickets in chase after bowlers set it up

Hindustan Times

time33 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

India lose early wickets in chase after bowlers set it up

Mumbai: A Lord's Test and an India bowling day. Cast your mind back to 2021 and those 60 overs of hell. It took India 62.1 overs this time to dismiss England for 192. But to get over the line this time, India have to chase those runs down. India's Yashasvi Jaiswal's was dismissed for a seven-ball duck during India's pursuit of a 193-run target against England at Lord's. (PTI) England recorded four strikes late on Sunday in Yashasvi Jaiswal (0), out to an injudicious half pull, Karun Nair (14), gone to an ungainly leave, Shubman Gill (6), whose nervy vigil lasted nine balls, and nightwatchman Akash Deep (1). Going into the fifth day on a pitch showing enough signs of wear and tear, India still have to score 135 runs. Like it has been a pattern in this series, it is anybody's game. At 58/4, India's hopes rest on KL Rahul, the first-innings centurion unbeaten on 33 at stumps. England's stonewalling approach in the first innings was just a pause for Bazball. The ramps and the scoops were back on Day 4. If the Sunday crowd at Lord's had chosen cricket over the Wimbledon final anticipating a more frenetic action, it is just what they got. And the opening session is where India took charge. The spice in the pitch that England had publicly called for but was unseen for three days suddenly became a talking point as Jasprit Bumrah began to get the ball to lift off the surface. One thing with deteriorating pitches, you don't know until there is a spike in parameters. The moment Bumrah produced a brute of a delivery that reared off good length and banged into Crawley's gloves, leaving him out of position as he lost his bat, one just knew. It was only the sixth ball of Bumrah's opening burst. Once the up-and-down behaviour of the pitch became evident, the openers decided to take their chances. Crawley had irked the Indian team enough the previous evening after his theatrics to avoid facing an extra over. Now, he was in the firing line. Bumrah softened him up. Even though he survived, it was going to be a matter of time. Nitish Reddy ultimately got Crawley (22) for the second time in the Test, this time getting him to play on the up to be lapped up by a second gully in Jaiswal, stationed just for that sort of a shot. For Bumrah, it was a day to use his potency and accuracy – home in on good length and surprise them with the shooting ball pitched between 7.7m to 8.3m – to set up dismissals at the other end. Bustling Siraj It was time for Mohammed Siraj, the lion-hearted trier to get on the wickets column. Before Crawley's fall, Siraj took back new-ball duties from Akash Deep. Though he was operating from the Pavillion End from where he found less uneven bounce, he persevered and got Duckett (12) to play an attacking pull, which he holed out to mid-on. The bowler went almighty close while celebrating on his face. It might cost him some of his match fee but by then India knew they would have to burn some cash anyway after the hostile end to Day 3. On a day both teams were pushing for victory, they weren't going to compromise on intensity. Coming towards the end of his opening spell, Siraj's wobble seam delivery nipped back sharply off a length and rapped Ollie Pope's pad. He single-handedly convinced the captain to review, predicting that it wasn't too high. HawkEye showed the ball would have dismantled the bails and that's all it took to end the No.3's stay. England were three wickets down and another England batter, battling for his place, had proved a no show. England's naturally aggressive players wanted to play their shots. To push India back, it is the only way they knew. For a while, it worked. Harry Brook, heir apparent to England's batting, collected two boundaries, ramp sweeping Akash Deep and following it up with a royal six over the bowler's head. The next over, India had moved the fine leg finer. Brook went ahead and tried to repeat the dose, only to find his stumps disturbed as Akash Deep pushed it up fuller. A limited overs dismissal to a limited overs shot attempted in a Test that was on the edge. At 98/4, England wouldn't have been able to savour their lunch. Things didn't get any easier. Siraj delivered an even better spell than he did with the new ball. Constantly working on Joe Root's technique, and that usually takes some doing, he almost worked him out lbw, bowling from an angle but narrowly missed to umpires' call on review. That was around the time India's pacers were tiring. Enter Washington Sundar. Shubman Gill had waited 39 overs before handing the ball to the off-spinning allrounder. Watching Washington's delightful spell (12.1-2-22-4), he would never take the ball away from India's surprise package of the day as he bowled all his victims to set up a thrilling final phase.

Gill No 1: Most runs by Indian in England Tests
Gill No 1: Most runs by Indian in England Tests

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Gill No 1: Most runs by Indian in England Tests

Record for Gill: Most runs by Indian in England Tests 14 Jul 2025 By Akshay Ramesh Shubman Gill has been on a record-breaking spree in his first Test series as captain In three Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, Gill has scored 607 runs at an average of 101 Gill now holds the record for most runs by an Indian batter in a Test series in England. With 3 hundreds, including a double in six innings, Gill is on fire. Here is a look at five batters from India with most runs in a bilateral Test series in Old Blighty Sachin Tendulkar scored 428 runs in three Tests in 1996 in England. He hit 2 hundreds a averaged 895 5. Sachin Tendulkar Sunil Gavaskar scored 542 runs in England in 1979. He3 hit a double hundred in the series and four fifties. 4. Sunil Gavaskar Virat Kohli scored 593 runs in the 2018 series with 2 hundreds. It came after a horror tour of 2014 where he managed 134 runs in 10 innings. 3. Virat Kohli Rahul Dravid is in the top five list twice. He scored 461 runs in 2011 and 602 runs in 2002. 2. Rahul Dravid Gill broke Dravid's record from the 2002 series when he scored six in the second innings of the Lord's Test. 1. Shubman Gill

Hormonal Imbalance: Why So Many Indian Women Are Feeling ‘Off'
Hormonal Imbalance: Why So Many Indian Women Are Feeling ‘Off'

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Hormonal Imbalance: Why So Many Indian Women Are Feeling ‘Off'

Last Updated: Hormonal imbalances are no longer rare or limited to a certain age group, they are a growing concern for Indian women across generations and regions. More and more Indian women today are experiencing signs that something's just not right—irregular periods, unexpected weight gain, constant tiredness, mood swings, and more. These symptoms often point to hormonal imbalances, a growing yet under-discussed health issue. Despite how common these problems are, awareness is still lacking, especially in rural areas, and many women go undiagnosed for years. What Is Hormonal Imbalance? Hormones are your body's messengers. Produced by glands like the thyroid, ovaries, and adrenal glands, they help control everything from mood and metabolism to sleep and reproduction. A hormonal imbalance occurs when these messengers are produced in too little or too much quantity, or when their signals get disrupted. The result? A ripple effect that can throw off your body's normal functions. Some of the most common hormone-related conditions among Indian women include PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), thyroid disorders, and menopausal transitions. Each comes with its own set of challenges and affects women differently based on age, genetics, and lifestyle. How Common Are Hormonal Imbalances in India? From PCOS in young adults to thyroid issues and menopause-related struggles, data reveals that these aren't isolated health problems; they are affecting millions across age groups and geographies. Here's a closer look at the key conditions and what the numbers say. PCOS tops the list when it comes to hormonal disorders among Indian women aged 15–45. A 2023 study in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism estimates that 9–22% of women in this age group are affected, with urban areas seeing rates as high as 26%. The condition is marked by excess androgens (male hormones), irregular periods, and ovarian cysts. It can lead to infertility, acne, and hirsutism (excessive facial/body hair). The same study also highlights that 30–40% of women with PCOS in India have insulin resistance, making them more vulnerable to type 2 diabetes and heart issues. Worth noting: While genetics are involved, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and exposure to environmental triggers like pollution may be increasing the risk. However, more India-specific research is still needed. Thyroid Disorders Thyroid issues, especially hypothyroidism (when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body's needs), are another widespread concern. According to a 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, about 10–15% of Indian women face thyroid dysfunction, with hypothyroidism being more common than an overactive thyroid. Fatigue, depression, and unexplained weight gain are often brushed off as lifestyle problems but can signal deeper hormonal issues. The study also notes higher prevalence in coastal and iodine-deficient regions like parts of North India. Important detail: Autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto's are on the rise too, possibly due to urban stress and lifestyle shifts. Menopause And Perimenopause Menopause is a natural hormonal shift that happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but the symptoms often start earlier, during perimenopause. A 2022 study in the Journal of Mid-Life Health found that 60–70% of Indian women experience noticeable symptoms like hot flashes, disturbed sleep, and mood changes during this transition. Unfortunately, due to cultural silence around menopause, many suffer without proper help, especially in rural areas where awareness and access to treatment are limited. Key issue: Hormone therapy (HRT), which can ease severe symptoms, is rarely used in India due to its cost and stigma. Other Hormonal Disorders Less frequent, but still impactful, are conditions like Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease. A 2020 review in the Indian Journal of Medical Research estimates that about 1–2% of Indian women are affected by such adrenal disorders, which can cause major fatigue, blood pressure changes, and abnormal weight gain or loss. Hormonal issues are rising fast, and it's not just genetics. Urban stress, poor diets, lifestyle shifts, and environmental factors are throwing things off balance. Lifestyle And Urbanisation Urban life has brought convenience but also complications. A 2023 study in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia found that obesity is rising rapidly among urban Indian women, with 25–30% now classified as overweight or obese. Sedentary routines, processed foods, and chronic stress are major triggers, especially for PCOS and thyroid issues. Genetic And Environmental Factors Genetics does play a big role. A 2021 article in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism pointed out that South Asian women, including Indians, are more genetically prone to insulin resistance and PCOS. On the environmental front, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in everyday items—like plastic containers and pesticides—may also be influencing hormone health. However, more data is needed in the Indian context. Dietary Shifts We're slowly shifting from traditional Indian meals full of fibre, legumes, and home-cooked veggies to fast foods and sugary snacks. A 2022 study in Nutrition and Diabetes links poor diets and micronutrient deficiencies—like lack of iodine or magnesium—to rising rates of PCOS and thyroid issues. Stress and Mental Health The non-stop pace of urban life is taking its toll. Chronic stress triggers high cortisol levels, which can mess with insulin, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. According to a 2020 survey by the Indian Psychiatric Society, stress and anxiety levels in women—especially during and after the pandemic—are sharply rising, often making hormonal symptoms worse. Limited Healthcare Access In rural India, reaching the right doctor or even getting basic blood tests done is still a challenge. The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021) shows that while 80% of urban women have regular access to healthcare, only 60% in rural areas do. This gap means many cases go undiagnosed and untreated. Symptoms and Impact Hormonal imbalance symptoms are wide-ranging and often overlap with other conditions, making them hard to pinpoint. But some common ones include: These symptoms don't just affect the body—they impact mental health, work, relationships, and quality of life. A 2023 study in Human Reproduction found that 40% of Indian women with PCOS also struggle with anxiety or depression, especially due to fertility-related stress. Diagnosis And Treatment Getting the right diagnosis early can make a huge difference. But many women delay medical help, often due to stigma or assuming their symptoms are 'normal." Standard diagnostic tools include: Blood tests (to check hormone levels, insulin, thyroid function) Ultrasounds (especially for PCOS) Full medical history reviews Treatment depends on the condition, but often includes: PCOS: A mix of lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), medications like metformin, and hormonal pills for period regulation Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid hormone replacements (levothyroxine) or drugs to suppress an overactive thyroid Menopause: In severe cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), though often replaced with lifestyle changes like yoga or supplements in India A 2022 review in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine highlights how powerful simple lifestyle changes—healthy eating, staying active, and managing stress—can be in improving symptoms across the board. Challenges and the Way Forward There's still a lot of stigma around talking about periods, fertility, or menopause. Many symptoms are brushed off as 'just part of being a woman." But this mindset delays diagnosis and treatment. To move forward, experts suggest: Routine screenings: Especially for women with a family history of thyroid or PCOS Lifestyle focus: Encouraging regular activity and traditional balanced diets top videos View all More awareness: Campaigns and open conversations to normalise hormonal health issues Public health programs, like those led by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, are trying to close the gap, but there's still a long way to go. About the Author Surbhi Pathak Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : hormonal imbalance view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 13, 2025, 09:44 IST News lifestyle Hormonal Imbalance: Why So Many Indian Women Are Feeling 'Off' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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