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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.

Mumbai 3.0 to reshape land economics

AI generated image
AI generated image

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government’s approval of a comprehensive land acquisition and allotment policy for the proposed “Mumbai 3.0” or “Third Mumbai” marks a decisive step toward expanding the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) eastward into the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) influence zone. Envisaged as a large-scale urban–industrial hub, the project is expected to reshape land economics, infrastructure planning and real estate investment patterns across Uran, Panvel and adjoining talukas.


However, it also raises concerns among local residents regarding livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and equitable development.


Policy Framework

The policy provides a structured mechanism for acquiring and allocating land through mutual agreements or under the 2013 land acquisition law, while offering compensation in cash, Floor Space Index (FSI), or Transferable Development Rights (TDR).


Approximately 200 sq km of land has been earmarked under the New Town Development Authority and the MMRDA to facilitate planned growth and infrastructure rollout in the region.


A distinctive element is the “pass-through” cost model, under which land acquisition and infrastructure costs will be borne by plot holders or allottees, with MMRDA levying establishment charges and allotting land largely on an “as-is-where-is” basis.


The policy also prioritises large industrial investments and foreign direct investment (FDI), requiring a minimum of 100 acres and Rs 250 crore investment per 100 acres within four years to qualify for priority allotment.


Impact on Real Estate

From a real estate perspective, the policy could significantly alter supply dynamics within the MMR. By unlocking large contiguous land parcels, the government is creating a rare development opportunity in a market historically constrained by land scarcity. Planned townships, logistics parks, and industrial clusters are likely to stimulate demand for both commercial and residential projects in the extended region.


The emphasis on private cost-bearing may initially raise project entry barriers but could also accelerate execution timelines by reducing fiscal burdens on the state. Analysts expect early-stage land aggregation and speculative investments to intensify, especially in areas linked to the Atal Setu corridor, which promises enhanced connectivity to Mumbai’s island city.


However, the “as-is-where-is” allotment structure and infrastructure funding responsibilities may increase capital risk for developers, particularly mid-sized firms. Real estate pricing could witness a bifurcation: premium industrial and logistics projects backed by FDI may flourish, while residential segments may grow gradually depending on transport connectivity and civic amenities rollout.


Infrastructure Change

Infrastructure development is central to the Mumbai 3.0 vision. The policy is designed to expedite roads, logistics networks and industrial infrastructure in the Atal Setu influence zone, thereby reducing congestion in existing Mumbai and promoting balanced regional growth.


Strategically located near the Sewri–Nhava Sheva corridor, the area is poised to evolve into a multimodal logistics hub supporting port-based industries, warehousing, and manufacturing.


Nonetheless, the success of the infrastructure push hinges on parallel investments in mass transit, water supply and social infrastructure. Without integrated transport planning such as metro, suburban rail or bus rapid transit, residential real estate absorption may lag behind industrial growth.


Residents’ take

Residents in the proposed impact zone have expressed mixed reactions. A farmer from Pen said, “We hope the compensation in FSI or TDR will secure our future, but we want clarity on how quickly payments and rehabilitation will happen.” Another resident from Uran noted, “Development will bring jobs and better roads, but we fear losing our traditional livelihoods and green spaces.”

 

However, some local youth see opportunity: “If industries come, we won’t have to migrate to Mumbai for work,” said a college graduate from Panvel. Yet, environmental concerns remain strong, with several villagers stressing that “the coastal and forest ecosystems must be protected during expansion.”

 

Overall, the land acquisition policy for Mumbai 3.0 signals a structural shift toward decentralised urban expansion and infrastructure-led growth in the MMR. While it offers significant upside for real estate developers, industrial investors,

 

Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra said, “We welcome the Maharashtra cabinet’s decisive approval of the land acquisition and allotment policy for the Third Mumbai initiative, a visionary step that reinforces the state’s commitment to planned and sustainable urban growth."

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