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India Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
2nd Test: In hostile Edgbaston, India eye equaliser, look to crack selection puzzle
It's far from the perfect time for India to visit Edgbaston. Still winless at the venue in Test cricket, they arrive reeling from a heavy defeat at Headingley. History doesn't favour the tourists - and neither does momentum. Trailing 0-1 in the five-match series, they can't control the pitch or the weather - but what they can control, at least to a large extent, is team they play Jasprit Bumrah — who's expected to feature in only two of the four remaining Tests — and whether they're bold enough to sacrifice batting depth to pick Kuldeep Yadav, their other world-class wicket-taker, remain key questions. On a surface expected to favour batters once again, India must give themselves the best chance of taking 20 wickets - and that means selecting bowlers who can win them the match, not just hang around with the it's about committing to a philosophy built around winning Test matches - and being willing to live with the risks that come with it. The pitch in Birmingham is likely to be dry beneath a light layer of grass, the air warm, and the atmosphere electric — this is England's fortress, after all. India have never won here in eight attempts. Their best result remains a draw, way back in 1986 under Kapil Dev. Most recently, in 2022, India appeared on course for a 3–1 series win before fourth-innings hundreds from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow turned the tide. That match — where England chased 378 — is widely remembered as the birth of the Bazball Test, then, is more than a chance to level the series. It poses a more pressing question: can India break free of their cautious instincts, back bold selections, and find the firepower to take all 20 wickets?Head coach Gautam Gambhir is nearing the end of his honeymoon phase. Three wins from 11 Tests make for uncomfortable reading — especially with the last victory coming in November 2024. It's a familiar truth in Test cricket: you can't win without taking 20 wickets. India know this better than for EdgbastonGearing up for the 2nd #ENGvIND Test #TeamIndia BCCI (@BCCI) July 1, 2025Before the series began, Shubman Gill spoke with intent: he was willing to play four tail-enders if that's what it took to take 20 wickets. It was bold on paper. On the field, it's been harder to commit to. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate put it plainly: 'When you're 430 for 3, it's absolutely fine. But when you're 200 for 5, it's a very different ball game.'And so, the dilemma persists — how to squeeze five genuine bowlers into a lineup that still leans on batting depth. It's a puzzle India have been trying to solve since their last tour of Australia. And the answer, it seems, remains just out of Thakur was picked at Leeds for the balance he brings — someone who could chip in with the bat and make a difference with the ball. But over the course of the match, he bowled just 16 overs and struggled to find rhythm, gradually fading into the background. It wouldn't be a surprise if Nitish Kumar Reddy gets the nod this time. The youngster, fresh off a century at the MCG, offers more solidity with the bat — and perhaps a touch more confidence. At training, he was spotted practicing slip catches alongside Sai Sudharsan — a quiet hint that team management may already be preparing for his BUMRAH CONUNDRUMJasprit Bumrah is fit and available for the second Test at Edgbaston, but India are yet to confirm whether he will play - especially given that he's expected to feature in only three of the five matches in the million-rupee question remains: will Bumrah take the field? Shubman Gill has confirmed the fast bowler's fitness, but workload management remains a key factor. If he's rested as part of a pre-agreed rotation plan, India's likely pace trio could be Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna - a group brimming with intent but short on Leeds, without Bumrah to apply pressure from one end, India's pacers struggled for consistency. Should he miss out again, the attack will need to be sharper - and braver - to leave a bowled at full tilt in the nets on Saturday (June 28), but has since largely remained on the sidelines, conserving his energy. Even so, in his brief spells of practice, the 31-year-old has looked in top rhythm, showing few signs of the wear and tear he endured at DILEMMAIndia are expected to field two spinners — that much is certain. Who partners Jadeja is the real poser. Washington Sundar brings control and lower-order runs; Kuldeep Yadav brings wrist-spin variety and a far superior strike rate. If the pitch does turn, Kuldeep is the likelier match-winner. But will India risk batting fragility for the promise of wickets?This choice could well determine the outcome of the Test. India's catching at Leeds bordered on catastrophic. Jaiswal alone dropped three — costly moments that proved decisive. They've since shuffled fielding positions and practised hard, but come game day, it's about holding your nerves have been shaken, but the batting looks more settled. Rahul, Jaiswal, Pant, and Gill all scored a hundred in the first Test. Now they need substance and support from the lower order, which folded twice at Headingley. Sudharsan and Karun Nair are likely to be backed for at least one more Test despite muted Jaiswal, whose dropped catches at Headingley proved costly, has been moved out of the slip cordon. He spent time fielding at short leg instead — a role that still demands courage, but not the same reflexive precision. The slips, meanwhile, stayed more or less the same: Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill held their usual positions, while Sudharsan and Reddy rotated in and out of fourth slip and gully, each quietly auditioning for a role that can change a match — or define a BAZBALL?England, by contrast, appear to have brought a method to the madness — a more refined incarnation of 'Bazball' that now tempers aggression with situational awareness, respecting both the conditions and the craft of the bowler. The Chris Woakes-led pace unit enters this phase brimming with confidence, having twice dismantled India's tail and sparked a resurgence for the a seasoned campaigner on home turf, Woakes will once again be entrusted with the new ball, eager to make amends for a quiet outing in Leeds. Josh Tongue, meanwhile, will be eyeing India's brittle lower order like a predator sensing Carse found his rhythm as the match wore on, while skipper Ben Stokes — ever the tactician — extracted maximum value from a pitch that asked the right will stick to what's worked: same XI, same trust in their batting to deliver over two innings on pitches that don't break down, and where pressure often flips sides. It's a risky ploy, but one that has often paid off at home. Gill and Gambhir must decide whether to meet that with a boldness of their own. The amps are warming. Birmingham is ready. Time to turn the volume all the way vs IND: EDGBASTON PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONSWith less than 24 hours to go before the opening Test against England, India captain Shubman Gill wasted no time getting down to business. Minutes after wrapping up the pre-match press conference, he walked purposefully onto the Edgbaston outfield, eyes fixed on the pitch. Soon, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and selector Shiv Sunder Das joined him. The quartet stood in close discussion, all attention on the surface that could shape the Birmingham has basked in sunshine recently, the pitch presents a more layered picture. Two days out, it held 11mm of grass—enough to keep seamers interested—yet the dry underlayer hints at runs on offer early. Recent trends support this: just like at Headingley and in the last County match here earlier this month, the bat is expected to dominate the ball in the first meanwhile, has had limited success at Edgbaston in the Bazball era—it's recorded the second-lowest strike rate for spinners among English venues in that time. Still, off-spinners have occasionally thrived. Nathan Lyon and Moeen Ali both made an impact during the 2023 Ashes opener, while R Ashwin's performance in 2018 remains weather could offer the odd twist, with light rain forecast on Days 1, 4, and 5, though no major disruptions are expected. What does seem assured is the nature of the pitch: true to its Bazball-era reputation, Edgbaston has produced some of England's flattest decks—none more telling than their record 378-run chase against India at this very NEWS: ENG vs IND, 2nd TestEngland have named an unchanged XI for the second Test against India, which begins on July 2 at Edgbaston. Fast bowler Jofra Archer remains unavailable due to injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board has opted to stick with the same lineup that secured a five-wicket victory at Headingley, giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match PLAYING XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib are likely to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test, with Arshdeep Singh the frontrunner to replace him and offer a left-arm angle to the pace attack. Akash Deep remains in the the all-rounder slot, Nitish Kumar Reddy could come in for Shardul Thakur, while Kuldeep Yadav may be included as part of a likely two-spinner strategy, as confirmed by captain Shubman changes are expected in the batting order. Despite quiet outings for Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, both are set to retain their spots after a dominant showing in the first Test. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has reiterated the management's backing for Karun through lean PREDICTED XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.- EndsTune InYou May Also Like
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Greg Chappell wants Arshdeep and Kuldeep in India XI for 2nd Test vs ENG
India's five-wicket defeat in the opening Test at Headingley has stirred more than just disappointment. While the eight dropped catches were glaring, former Australia captain and ex-India coach Greg Chappell believes they were just the surface symptoms of a deeper, strategic ailment. The Australian legend also wants to see Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav in India's playing XI for the second Test, which starts on July 2, against England. 'As disappointing as the fielding in Headingley was, it was not the main reason India lost the Test,' Chappell wrote in his ESPNcricinfo column. 'Most of India's problems were self-inflicted.' What truly worries Chappell is the sameness in India's seam attack. With Siraj, Thakur and Krishna all offering similar right-arm, medium-fast deliveries, batters are rarely forced to adjust. 'Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, India's seamers are too similar... There's a reason why wickets often fall after a bowling change—it forces recalibration,' Chappell argued. And that recalibration, he believes, was missing. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh (L-R) The call for contrast: Arshdeep and Kuldeep Chappell did not hold back in suggesting bold inclusions. Arshdeep Singh, with his left-arm angle, and Kuldeep Yadav, whom Chappell audaciously describes as 'possibly the best wrist-spinner since Shane Warne', must be brought in to shake up the attack. 'Without Bumrah, I'd like to see Arshdeep added to the mix and Kuldeep included in the attack,' he said. At Headingley, Bumrah shouldered the burden with figures of 5/140. Thakur and Krishna, meanwhile, combined for seven wickets at the cost of 309 runs—not exactly match-turning numbers. Bowlers must hunt in packs Beyond personnel, Chappell also took aim at India's bowling discipline. He saw no sustained pressure, no threatening sequences. 'I didn't see two consecutive balls land in a dangerous place,' he wrote. 'Too full, too short or too wide.' With Bumrah as the lone spearhead, England merely had to weather his spells to escape pressure. India cricket team with captain Shubman Gill during practice session in Birmingham. Photo: PTI Batting depth vs bowling balance: A costly trade-off Chappell issued a scathing verdict on India's team composition. Selecting bits-and-pieces all-rounders to lengthen the batting line-up is, in his view, a short-sighted insurance policy. 'The top six must be trusted to deliver the runs,' he said. 'The best combination to take 20 wickets must be made available to the captain.' Ravindra Jadeja. Photo: PTI Jadeja a passenger in English conditions? In Chappell's eyes, Jadeja is not a frontline spinner in England. If his batting is valued, he may serve as support. Otherwise, India need to reassess—and soon. 'If India are to reverse their fortunes in this series, then a better-balanced team is required,' he warned. Chappell concluded with a punch aimed at the selection panel. If players are expected to take risks on the field, selectors too must show courage. 'They have to make bold decisions,' he said. With the series slipping away, India must now choose between caution and courage. The time for half-measures is over.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Tanvi The Great Trailer: Anupam Kher's Inspiring Film Traces Autistic Girl's Journey To Join The Army
Watch Tanvi The Great trailer—Anupam Kher's emotional film on an autistic girl's dream to join the Army. In cinemas worldwide on July 18, 2025. The much-anticipated trailer for Tanvi The Great is finally here—and it packs a powerful emotional punch. Directed by acclaimed actor-filmmaker Anupam Kher, the film tells a heartwarming and inspiring story of a young girl who finds her voice in a world determined to silence her. The trailer, now live, promises a cinematic experience filled with emotion, resilience, and powerful music. Tanvi The Great has already made waves on the international festival circuit with celebrated screenings at the Cannes Film Festival, the New York Indian Film Festival, London, Houston, and more. Now, ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on July 18, 2025, the trailer offers a glimpse into Tanvi's extraordinary world. The story revolves around Tanvi, a young autistic girl who is brilliant, determined, and dreams of joining the Indian Army. The film follows her journey through love, loss, and unrelenting perseverance. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the beauty of being different—yet no less. Talking about the film, National Award-winning actor and director Anupam Kher shared, 'Everyone who watches Tanvi The Great will walk away a little kinder, perhaps even changed. This film is my tribute to every person who is different but no less. It's the story of an autistic, brilliant, and fiercely determined girl. This is one of the most important films of my career, and I'm confident audiences in India will connect with it just as deeply as those around the world already have." The film marks the debut of Shubhangi in the titular role and features a powerful ensemble cast including Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, Nasser, Anupam Kher himself, and international actor Iain Glen. Adding further emotional depth to the narrative is a soul-stirring soundtrack composed by Oscar-winning music maestro M. M. Keeravani. The film is produced by Anupam Kher Studios in association with NFDC. Its global distribution is being handled by Excel Entertainment, led by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, along with AA Films under Anil Thadani. With its emotionally rich storytelling and impactful performances, Tanvi The Great is poised to be one of the most important and moving films of the year when it hits cinemas on July 18, 2025. First Published:
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Life Inside This Ethnically Diverse Country Is Much More Complex, Nuanced
Sydney: From 2015 to 2018, I spent 15 months doing research work in Mashhad, Iran's second-largest city. As an anthropologist, I was interested in everyday life in Iran outside the capital Tehran. I was also interested in understanding whether the ambitions of the 1979 Revolution lived on among 'ordinary' Iranians, not just political elites. I first lived on a university campus, where I learned Persian, and later with Iranian families. I conducted hundreds of interviews with people who had a broad spectrum of political, social and religious views. They included opponents of the Islamic Republic, supporters, and many who were in between. What these interviews revealed to me was both the diversity of opinion and experience in Iran, and the difficulty of making uniform statements about what Iranians believe. Measuring the depth of antipathy for the regime When Israel's strikes on Iran began on June 13, killing many top military commanders, many news outlets – both international and those run by the Iranian diaspora – featured images of Iranians cheering the deaths of these hated regime figures. Friends from my fieldwork also pointed to these celebrations, while not always agreeing with them. Many feared the impact of a larger conflict between Iran and Israel. Trying to put these sentiments in context, many analysts have pointed to a 2019 survey by the GAMAAN Institute, an independent organisation based in the Netherlands that tracks Iranian public opinion. This survey showed 79% of Iranians living in the country would vote against the Islamic Republic if a free referendum were held on its rule. Viewing these examples as an indicator of the lack of support for the Islamic Republic is not wrong. But when used as factoids in news reports, they become detached from the complexities of life in Iran. This can discourage us from asking deeper questions about the relationships between ideology and pragmatism, support and opposition to the regime, and state and society. A more nuanced view The news reporting on Iran has encouraged a tendency to see the Iranian state as homogeneous, highly ideological and radically separate from the population. But where do we draw the line between the state and the people? There is no easy answer to this. When I lived in Iran, many of the people who took part in my research were state employees – teachers at state institutions, university lecturers, administrative workers. Many of them had strong and diverse views about the legacy of the revolution and the future of the country. They sometimes pointed to state discourse they agreed with, for example Iran's right to national self-determination, free from foreign influence. They also disagreed with much, such as the slogans of 'death to America'. This ambivalence was evident in one of my Persian teachers. An employee of the state, she refused to attend the annual parades celebrating the anniversary of the revolution. 'We have warm feelings towards America,' she said. On the other hand, she happily attended protests, also organised by the government, in favour of Palestinian liberation. Or take the young government worker I met in Mashhad: 'We want to be independent of other countries, but not like this.' In a narrower sense, discussions about the 'state' may refer more to organisations like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, the paramilitary force within the IRGC that has cracked down harshly on dissent in recent decades. Both are often understood as being deeply ideologically committed. Said Golkar, a US-based Iranian academic and author, for instance, calls Iran a ' captive society '. Rather than having a civil society, he believes Iranians are trapped by the feared Basij, who maintain control through their presence in many institutions like universities and schools. Again, this view is not wrong. But even among the Basij and Revolutionary Guard, it can be difficult to gauge just how ideological and homogeneous these organisations truly are. For a start, the IRGC relies on both ideologically selected supporters, as well as conscripts, to fill its ranks. They are also not always ideologically uniform, as the US-based anthropologist Narges Bajoghli, who worked with pro-state filmmakers in Tehran, has noted. As part of my research, I also interviewed members of the Basij, which, unlike the IRGC proper, is a wholly volunteer organisation. Even though ideological commitment was certainly an important factor for some of the Basij members I met, there were also pragmatic reasons to join. These included access to better jobs, scholarships and social mobility. Sometimes, factors overlapped. But participation did not always equate to a singular or sustained commitment to revolutionary values. For example, Sāsān, a friend I made attending discussion groups in Mashhad, was quick to note that time spent in the Basij 'reduced your [compulsory] military service'. This isn't to suggest there are not ideologically committed people in Iran. They clearly exist, and many are ready to use violence. Some of those who join these institutions for pragmatic reasons use violence, too. Looking in between In addition, Iran is an ethnically diverse country. It has a population of 92 million people, a bare majority of whom are Persians. Other minorities include Azeris, Kurds, Arabs, Baloch, Turkmen and others. It is also religiously diverse. While there is a sizeable, nominally Shi'a majority, there are also large Sunni communities (about 10-15% of the population) and smaller communities of Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Baha'is and other religions. Often overlooked, there are also important differences in class and social strata in Iran, too. One of the things I noticed about state propaganda was that it flattened this diversity. James Barry, an Australian scholar of Iran, noticed a similar phenomenon. State propaganda made it seem like there was one voice in the country. Protests could be dismissed out of hand because they did not represent the 'authentic' view of Iranians. Foreign agitators supported protests. Iranians supported the Islamic Republic. Since leaving Iran, I have followed many voices of Iranians in the diaspora. Opposition groups are loud on social media, especially the monarchists who support Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed Shah. In following these groups, I have noticed a similar tendency to speak as though they represent the voice of all Iranians. Iranians support the shah. Or Iranians support Maryam Rajavi, leader of a Paris-based opposition group. Both within Iran, and in the diaspora, the regime, too, is sometimes held to be the imposition of a foreign conspiracy. This allows the Islamic Republic and the complex relations it has created to be dismissed out of hand. Once again, such a view flattens diversity. Over the past few years, political identities and societal divisions seem to have become harder and clearer. This means there is an increasing perception among many Iranians of a gulf between the state and Iranian society. This is the case both inside Iran, and especially in the Iranian diaspora. Decades of intermittent protests and civil disobedience across the country also show that for many, the current system no longer represents the hopes and aspirations of many people. This is especially the case for the youth, who make up a large percentage of the population. I am not an Iranian, and I strongly believe it is up to Iranians to determine their own futures. I also do not aim to excuse the Islamic Republic – it is brutal and tyrannical. But its brutality should not let us shy away from asking complex questions. If the regime did fall tomorrow, Iran's diversity means there is little unanimity of opinion as to what should come next. And if a more pluralist form of politics is to emerge, it must encompass the whole of Iran's diversity, without assuming a uniform position. It, too, will have to wrestle with the difficult questions and sometimes ambivalent relations the Islamic Republic has created.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Old is still gold: 5 decor tips to welcome vintage style into your contemporary home in 2025
The saying 'old is gold' holds true because something that's inherently classy never stays buried for long; it always finds a way to make a comeback. The same applies to home decor as well. In a world where fleeting trends dominate the scene, shaped by Pinterest boards or celeb home tours, nostalgic vintage designs offer something solid to lean on. What was once sidelined as too old-school and hyper-maximalist is now making a refined return, finding its place in modern interiors by seamlessly blending the old with the new to create sleek homes that still feel lived-in. Bring back old-school charm with vintage furniture.(Unsplash) Giulia Baima Bollone, Director, Embassy Interiors Pvt Ltd, shared with HT Lifestyle that today's homeowners are leaning more towards vintage interiors because of their quiet luxury charm. She said, "In today's fast-paced world of trends and sleek finishes, many homeowners are rediscovering the quiet appeal of vintage interiors. With their timeless materials, shape, understated charm, and functional longevity, vintage elements are making a comeback in a more thoughtful and practical way. The current approach isn't about recreating a historical period, but about integrating vintage details within modern layouts. A simple contemporary sofa may be paired with a mid-century chair, or a clean white wall may be contrasted by a reclaimed wooden console. These choices don't feel out of place; they add depth and character without overwhelming the space. Moreover, reusing vintage pieces helps reduce waste." Here are 5 design tips Giulia shared with us that help to incorporate vintage styles in modern spaces: 1. Timeless designs One of the key reasons vintage works is that it brings long-term value. Many vintage furniture pieces are made from solid wood, brass, or stone, offering far more durability than their modern, mass-produced counterparts. These materials age well, reduce the need for replacement, and bring a sense of authenticity to the interiors. 2. Starting point for vintage style You don't need a full redesign. Start with a statement piece, a vintage mirror, a restored side table, or even handcrafted lighting. These can change the feel of a room while preserving its modern structure. Always allow for breathing space, vintage items benefit from minimal surroundings to let their form and finish stand out. 3. Harmonise, don't replicate The success of vintage interiors lies in their balanced contrast. Avoid theme-based decor. Instead, look for ways to match tones, textures, or shapes. For example, a modern coffee table and a retro lounge chair may share similar curves or materials, creating a cohesive visual rhythm. 4. Material choices make a difference Vintage pieces often use high-quality materials, like aged leather, rattan, brushed metal, or reclaimed wood. These finishes not only last but also bring tactile comfort and visual texture to modern spaces. Consider how a handwoven rug, a natural-finish cabinet, or an oxidised metal light fixture can add value, not just in appearance but in usability. 5. Embrace the imperfect Unlike mass-market furniture, vintage items may come with minor flaws, scratches, irregular finishes, or faded edges. These imperfections add personality and help soften the polished look of many modern interiors. They remind us that a home is not a showroom, but a lived-in, evolving space. ALSO READ: Maximalism is making a comeback: Tips on how to make a modern maximalist home
