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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.

Demystifying Food Irradiation

Food Security with Nuclear and the Unreasoned Fear of Irradiated Food is an exceptionally well-crafted and timely contribution to contemporary discourse on food safety, public health, and the role of nuclear science in strengthening global food systems. The authors—bring together scientific clarity, historical depth, and policy insight to a subject long clouded by misconception and public apprehension.


One of the book’s most significant achievements is its ability to demystify food irradiation. Through lucid explanations and accessible scientific language, the authors separate fact from fear, clearly explaining the principles, safety, and proven utility of irradiation technology. Readers unfamiliar with the subject will find the text remarkably approachable, while specialists will appreciate its rigorous scientific grounding.


The book presents a comprehensive historical account of food irradiation, tracing its evolution from early experimental research to widespread global acceptance. This narrative is supported by clear explanations of what occurs within food when exposed to ionising radiation, drawing upon sound physics, chemistry, and well-documented real-world applications.


Valuable Feature

A particularly valuable feature is the comparative analysis of food preservation and sanitisation techniques. By placing irradiation alongside conventional methods such as thermal processing, fumigation, and chemical treatments, the authors provide a balanced and evidence-based perspective, highlighting where irradiation offers distinct advantages.


The section on regulatory frameworks is another major strength. Global standards and guidelines from Codex Alimentarius, WHO, FAO, IAEA, FDA, and the European Union are presented alongside policies from over sixty countries. This makes the book an indispensable reference for policymakers, regulators, industry professionals, and researchers. The Indian experience is documented with clarity and pride, highlighting the pioneering role of BARC, the commercial initiatives of BRIT, and India’s leadership in accelerator-based irradiation technologies.


The chapters dealing with detection technologies are particularly noteworthy. Techniques such as ESR, thermoluminescence, chemical markers, DNA-based methods, and advanced analytical tools are explained with depth and precision, while remaining accessible to practitioners. This is complemented by practical discussions on dosimetry, radiation sources, and operational requirements, making the book a useful guide for facility operators and regulatory authorities.


Importantly, the authors also address the psychology of public perception. By examining the roots of misinformation, communication gaps, and the persistent fear of so-called “radioactive food,” they demonstrate scientific responsibility and empathy. The analysis makes it clear that the primary challenge is not technological, but educational.


The book concludes by examining global market trends, future prospects, and strategic imperatives, underscoring the role of food irradiation in reducing spoilage, controlling pests, preventing food-borne diseases, and strengthening food security amid climate uncertainty and growing global demand.


Significant Work

Food Security with Nuclear and the Unreasoned Fear of Irradiated Food is a significant and authoritative work. It informs, educates, and corrects long-standing misconceptions with scientific precision and clarity. For policymakers, nuclear scientists, food technologists, academicians, students, and informed consumers, this book is both timely and essential.


It stands as a definitive guide for anyone seeking a rational, evidence-based understanding of food irradiation and its transformative role in ensuring safe, secure, and sustainable food systems for the future.


(The writer is Chief Executive of National Centre for Science Communicators, Mumbai. Views personal.)

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