top of page

By:

Kiran D. Tare

21 August 2024 at 11:23:13 am

The Lady of Lord’s

Yastika Bhatia’s maiden Test century at Lord’s crowns the rise of an elegant wicketkeeper-batter who has quietly become indispensable to India’s new generation. Critics may say that there are flashier cricketers than Yastika Bhatia. She does not possess the raw power of a Smriti Mandhana or the aura of a Harmanpreet Kaur. She rarely dominates highlight reels or social media clips. Instead, she has built her reputation through reliability – a quality far more vital. At a time when white-ball...

The Lady of Lord’s

Yastika Bhatia’s maiden Test century at Lord’s crowns the rise of an elegant wicketkeeper-batter who has quietly become indispensable to India’s new generation. Critics may say that there are flashier cricketers than Yastika Bhatia. She does not possess the raw power of a Smriti Mandhana or the aura of a Harmanpreet Kaur. She rarely dominates highlight reels or social media clips. Instead, she has built her reputation through reliability – a quality far more vital. At a time when white-ball cricket prizes spectacle, the 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has become one of India’s finest practitioners of the understated virtues of timing, patience and composure. Bhatia’s 113 against England which powered the Indian women’s side to a historic win at Lord’s was not merely her maiden Test century but the first ever scored by a woman at cricket’s most celebrated venue. The innings helped India seal a comprehensive 270-run victory in the first women’s Test ever staged at Lord’s. Her hundred earned her a place on the Lord’s honours board, where generations of the game’s greatest names have been immortalised. Few entries have carried quite the same symbolism. Until now, no woman’s name had appeared there for a Test century because no women’s Test had ever been played at the ground. Bhatia’s career has mirrored the evolution of Indian women’s cricket itself. Born in Vadodara, she emerged through Gujarat’s domestic circuit at a time when opportunities for young women were expanding but remained far from abundant. A naturally gifted left-hander, she impressed selectors with a technique that appeared more classical than contemporary. Where modern batting often relies on innovation and improvisation, Bhatia’s game is rooted in balance. She plays late, favours placement over power and rarely appears rushed. Such attributes explain why coaches have long regarded her as especially suited to the demands of Test cricket, even though women are offered precious few opportunities to play the format. Modern wicketkeepers are expected to contribute almost as specialist batters while maintaining relentless concentration over long periods. Bhatia has embraced both responsibilities, becoming an important cog in an Indian side that has steadily shed its dependence on a handful of senior stars. That transformation has accelerated dramatically over the past year. India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph marked a watershed for the sport, confirming that the country's women could finally translate promise into silverware. Although Bhatia missed that campaign after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury shortly before the tournament, her absence perhaps underscored her growing importance. Months of rehabilitation restored her confidence. If the World Cup represented the one that got away, Lord’s offered redemption. Returning to international cricket only recently, Bhatia produced an innings of remarkable maturity against England’s experienced attack. Her 113 came from 158 balls, balancing restraint with authority as India tightened their grip on the match. She admitted that six months earlier, while beginning rehabilitation, the idea of seeing her name on the Lord’s honours board would have seemed implausible. Those who know her were scarcely surprised. Former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More, who has mentored Bhatia, has long spoken of her temperament rather than merely her talent. Scoring a century at Lord’s, he observed, is an ambition shared by virtually every cricketer. Achieving it after months away from the game simply reflected the resilience that had always underpinned her cricket. But hers was not a sentimental century assembled through fortune. It was a technically accomplished performance built on judgement outside off stump, crisp drives through the covers and the patience required by the longest format. It showcased precisely why Test cricket continues to matter. Unlike Twenty20, where brilliance can be compressed into a handful of overs, the five-day game rewards concentration accumulated over hours. For Indian women’s cricket, Bhatia’s century represents something larger than an individual milestone. It demonstrates the increasing depth of a side that is no longer defined solely by its biggest names. New heroes are emerging, backed by stronger domestic structures, better coaching and a professionalism unimaginable a decade ago. The honours board at Lord’s records statistics with characteristic restraint. It simply notes that Yastika Bhatia scored a century. Future generations may glance at the name without appreciating the path that led there. But Indian cricket will remember that the first woman to reach three figures at Lord’s was not merely making history. She was announcing that a new generation has arrived.

Chhagan Bhujbal’s Resurrection and the Art of Political Pragmatism

The prominent OBC leader’s ‘comeback’ reveals the ruling Mahayuti’s caste calculus, political compulsions and a quiet retreat from past anti-corruption claims.

In a significant political development, veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal was recently inducted into the Maharashtra state cabinet led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The move has triggered sharp political reactions and intense speculation about its underlying motivations ahead of crucial local body polls.


At the heart of the decision lie two key equations: the OBC vote bank and the handling of the politically sensitive Maratha reservation issue. By re-inducting Bhujbal, who is one of Maharashtra’s most influential OBC leaders, the BJP-Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde)-NCP (led by Ajit Pawar) coalition seeks to strengthen its backward class credentials and manage growing tensions between Maratha and OBC communities.


Bhujbal’s career is a testimony to political longevity and survival. From his early days as a fiery Shiv Sainik and Mayor of Mumbai, to joining the Congress and later becoming a founding member of the NCP, Bhujbal has been at the raging centre of Maharashtra’s political theatre for over four decades.


He has served as Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister, Public Works Minister and held various influential positions.


However, his trajectory was disrupted by serious corruption charges in the 2010s, primarily linked to the Maharashtra Sadan scam. Bhujbal spent over two years in jail under charges filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). At the time, the BJP, then in opposition and later in government, took a stern stance, projecting the case as a symbol of its crusade against corruption.


Today, Bhujbal’s return to substantial power under a BJP-led government has led to charges of hypocrisy and political opportunism. The opposition Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena have accused the BJP of abandoning its moral high ground. “The BJP once declared Bhujbal corrupt. Today, they call him the voice of the OBCs,” said a Congress MLA, calling it a classic case of political convenience.


Chief Minister Fadnavis has defended Bhujbal’s induction as a practical decision, stating that Bhujbal is an “important voice of the OBCs” and commands influence in several parts of Maharashtra. Insiders in the BJP admit that the party’s decision was shaped by multiple considerations.


Firstly, the OBC voter base in Maharashtra is significant - over 35 percent of the population according to various estimates. Bhujbal, a prominent Yadav leader from Nashik district, has consistently mobilized OBC sentiment and built his political career on the plank of social justice and backward class empowerment.


His strong opposition to including Marathas under the OBC quota, particularly during the height of the Maratha quota agitation led by aggressive reservation activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, has found resonance with many OBC groups who feel their reservation benefits are under threat.


Secondly, the ruling alliance is under pressure due to the rise in Maratha agitation and the state’s balancing act on reservation. The Maratha community’s demand for inclusion under the OBC category has led to social tensions, and OBC leaders across parties have opposed the move.


In a bid to counter the Maratha agitation and reinforce its OBC credentials, the Mahayuti government has inducted Chhagan Bhujbal into the cabinet. As a vocal critic of ‘reservation dilution,’ Bhujbal’s elevation signals a firm stance on due process. For Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the move is also a salve for internal dissent within his breakaway NCP faction. Long sidelined, Bhujbal’s return rewards loyalty and aims to shore up support ahead of key local polls. With influence in Nashik, Marathwada and Vidarbha, his presence adds both electoral muscle and caste balance to an alliance often seen as Maratha-dominated.


The most pointed criticism has come from the opposition benches, which have accused the BJP of doing a complete U-turn on corruption. From launching investigations against Bhujbal during its first term to now embracing him as a minister, the BJP has been accused of abandoning its anti-corruption plank. Political analysts say this is not the first time a party has chosen practicality over principle.


What makes Bhujbal’s case particularly combative is the timing. With castetensions rising, and the state facing multiple political fronts - including Raj Thackeray’s possible resurgence and the Congress’s attempt to regain lost ground - the Mahayuti cannot afford a split in its social coalition. Bhujbal is seen as a political glue who can keep OBC leaders on board, at least for now.


While Bhujbal has been politically rehabilitated, his role in the cabinet will be closely watched. Will he get a portfolio that allows him to influence reservation policy? How will he navigate the growing resentment among Marathas? Can he help the Mahayuti win back some of the backward class votes lost to smaller caste-based parties?


Bhujbal himself appears keen to play a constructive role. Speaking to reporters after taking oath, he reiterated his commitment to “constitutional principles” and “justice for the backward classes.” He also sought to position himself as a unifying figure, urging restraint in public discourse over reservation.


As Maharashtra heads into a politically charged season, Chhagan Bhujbal’s presence in the cabinet could act as both a catalyst and a buffer. Whether his inclusion helps resolve tensions or deepens fault lines depends on how the Fadnavis-led government handles the reservation issue, power-sharing within the Mahayuti, and public perceptions around governance and credibility.

Comments

bottom of page