AT approximately 12.35 PM IST on Friday, when Usman Khawaja ran back to catch Nitish K Reddy out for 41 in The Perth Stadium, every Indian fan whether they were watching from the stands or glued on to television/mobile screens would have let out a sigh of frustration.
Every possible nightmare scenario they would have imagined before going to sleep on the eve of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy had come true. India, led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, opted to bat first on a pitch with ample grass cover and had been bowled out for 150 in less than 50 overs (49.4). As many as seven batters had gotten out in single digits. Yashasvi Jaiswal's expected struggles came to light. Virat Kohli was bounced out by Josh Hazlewood. Devdutt Padikkal got out for a 23-ball duck. So much so that, if not for the rescue from Rishabh Pant (37) and Reddy, they would have ended with another double digit total.
As Reddy took the long walk back, many questions lingered. Did India make the right choice by picking Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana ahead of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja? Was the decision to bat first wrong? The biggest of all, however, was what happens after Bumrah finishes his spell.
In less than an hour, the captain, and the best all-format bowler in the world, shattered all the doubts, lifting the spirits of millions of Indian fans.
This story is from the November 23, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 23, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Charlize Theron joins Christopher Nolan's next
E had earlier reported that director Christopher Nolan is all set to release a new film in 2026. The latest update from the makers is that actor Charlize Theron has joined the ensemble cast of the film.
IT'S A WRAP FOR PEACEMAKER SEASON 2
PEACEMAKER creator James Gunn recently revealed that he has completed production on the second season of the series.
'The ocean unites us
Directors Dana Ledoux Miller and David G Jerrick Jr, along with producer Yvett Merino, get candid about their upcoming animated film Moana 2, its humanistic themes, and more
WHERE DAUGHTERS BREAK AND MOTHERS BLOOM
Two Tamil films screened at the 55th International Film Festival of India—Sivantha Mann and Amma's Pride—explored themes of marginalisation and resilience, weaving stories of daughters in struggle and mothers in unwavering love
Spilling the tea on a beloved BEVERAGE
Chamomile, recognised as safe by the USFDA, offers antimicrobial and anti-allergenic benefits through its essential oils and extracts. Its analgesic properties and wound-healing abilities make it a staple in modern wellness.
Of human bondage
Maw Naing's MA-Cry of Silence might be set in contemporary Myanmar, but it took me back to several Hindi films—right from the 50s to the 80s—that, like it, have dealt with the exploitation of the working class and the workers' fight for their basic rights, fair wages, and adequate working conditions.
FRAMES OF STRENGTH AND SISTERHOOD
A closeup shot of a girl reflecting in front of a mirror, a time-freezing shot of girls jumping in a circle joining hands, another zoomed-in picture of a girl in a kitchen, a medium shot of one in the living room posing with her parents, a portrait of a girl wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt, hair braided, a silver chain, and a beaming smile.
Unpacking a shifting identity
A push towards rigidity
BRATMAN BRINGS THE LAUGHS!
The Little Theatre is gearing up for this year's Christmas Pantomime, and they are bringing Batman, Robin, Joker, and Gotham city to the stage with Bratman
Coach says youngest IPL star Vaibhav preparing for top-level grinds since he was 7
VAIBHAV Suryavanshi, 13, created history on Monday as he became the youngest player to earn an IPL deal worth ₹1.10 crore.
