There’s not much to celebrate from an English point of view in the second Test. England teams usually collapse on bunsen burners so what we’re witnessing shouldn’t be a surprise. However, what we can do is appreciate the quality of the opposition. Rohit Sharma was class on day 1. Here’s Abhijato’s assessment of one of the most aesthetically pleasing batsmen in the world … Artists despise being called ‘talented’, because they feel it takes away something...
An Open Letter To The New Fans Of English Cricket
Hello there, jubilant, formally reintroduced via Channel Four, cricket-watching Briton! Glad to see you’ve joined us again. Right off the bat, you’re forgiven for assuming the sport has always been this good while you were away. Or that its results will always be this delightful when England’s visiting the subcontinent. As a matter of fact, you’ll often wonder what’s the point of waking up at odd hours and copping it from your spouse or your dogs for turning on the telly at four in the morning...
Buttler and Pant: A Look At Cricket’s Most Existential Sitcom
Are you enjoying the first Test? I certainly hope so. Here’s Abhijato’s latest musings to add to the festivities … Buttler and Pant sounds like the name of a sitcom which never takes off. In this hypothetical show, Rishabh will be the Indian still getting used to life as he takes up a job at the local police station. ‘He’s got heart,’ a senior officer would declare before taking retirement – an ice-cool leader called MS – who did the same job Pant is now about to...
Joe Root: From Troubles Back To Triumph
Abhijato returns with a look at Joe Root’s resurgence in Sri Lanka. Is he back to his best? And can he lead England to victory against India? Joe Root has certainly never been bad. But before this month he hadn’t exactly been brilliant for a long time either. While Jonny Bairstow has been polarising supporters, and Ben Stokes has been pulling off miracles, Joe Root has spent recent years by being, well, Joe Root – a batsman generally considered world class but falling short of the...
Improv At The Gabba
Well, you can’t blame India supporters from being excited. In fact, the game at Brisbane was a hell of a lot more interesting than the one at Galle. So congrats to India. And thanks for proving that The Gabba (and Australian venues in general) aren’t quite as impregnable as they once were. Here’s new writer Abhijato Sensarma’s take on that amazing fifth day … Improvisation has an essential rule – always consider yourself to be the least important member of...
