The Indian cricket team has undergone a reshuffle for the final three T20 Internationals against England, with Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube stepping in to replace the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy, a promising young power-hitter, suffered a side strain during a net session on Friday, preceding India’s second T20I against England in Chennai.

The BCCI announced the change on Saturday, stating that Reddy would undergo further management at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks, effectively ruling him out of the remaining England series and potentially limiting his return to the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

This unfortunate setback marks a significant blow for Reddy, who had been making steady progress as an all-format player. This is not the first time Dube has filled in for Reddy; he previously replaced him during a T20I tour of Zimbabwe.

Adding to India’s injury woes, lower-order batsman Rinku Singh sustained a low back spasm while fielding in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens. The BCCI confirmed that Singh is ruled out of the second and third T20Is, prompting the inclusion of Ramandeep Singh as cover. While Reddy’s injury is a considerable disappointment, given his recent form, Dube’s return offers a potent replacement.

The powerful hitter, who last played for India during the Sri Lanka series in July 2023, had been sidelined with a back injury but recently returned to domestic cricket. Notably, Dube’s selection marks a turnaround after being initially overlooked for the England series. His absence was directly linked to Reddy’s impressive performances.

The irony is not lost that despite recently playing for Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir (where he unfortunately scored a pair), Dube now finds himself back in the national spotlight. Throughout his career, Dube has showcased significant talent in both batting and bowling, boasting 33 T20I appearances, 448 runs at a strike rate of nearly 135, and 11 wickets with his military medium pace.

The updated Indian squad for the remaining T20I matches against England now includes Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shivam Dube, and Ramandeep Singh. The team will be hoping to recover from these setbacks and finish the series strongly.

Madison Keys’ improbable journey to her first Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open culminated in a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The win, achieved at age 29, marked a significant personal triumph, showcasing the power of resilience and a recalibrated perspective.

Entering Rod Laver Arena for the final, Keys nonchalantly walked past the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, a subtle display of the inner peace she’d cultivated. This calm demeanour contrasted sharply with the pressure she’d carried for years, the weight of unmet expectations that once defined her career. Once considered a prodigious talent, Keys had previously fallen short in the 2017 US Open final. This experience, coupled with years of therapy, ultimately led to a profound shift in her mindset.

She learned to separate her self-worth from Grand Slam victories. “From a pretty young age, I felt like if I never won a Grand Slam, then I wouldn’t have lived up to what people thought I should have been,” Keys later reflected. By embracing the possibility of never winning a major title, she paradoxically unlocked her potential. This acceptance freed her from the crippling pressure that had previously hampered her performance.

Her path to victory was paved with significant challenges. She navigated a gruelling tournament, culminating in a semifinal clash against Iga Swiatek, where she saved a match point. This victory served as a powerful catalyst, solidifying her belief in her ability to conquer the ultimate prize. The final against Sabalenka was a tense affair, a captivating back-and-forth battle that swung between dominance and vulnerability. Keys’ powerful serve and precise groundstrokes were offset by Sabalenka’s aggressive play and occasional lapses.

The match, decided by a single point (92-91), showcased the exceptional talent of both players. Keys’ strategic choices, including the adoption of a new racket on Fratangelo’s advice, played a crucial role in her success. Her ability to cover the court relentlessly and consistently return Sabalenka’s powerful shots proved pivotal.

The victory’s significance extends beyond the trophy itself; it represents a hard-earned triumph over self-doubt and a testament to the transformative power of self-acceptance. At 29, Keys is the oldest first-time Grand Slam champion since Flavia Pennetta in 2015, a testament to her enduring dedication and remarkable resilience.

The second T20I between India and England in Chennai witnessed a thrilling contest, ultimately decided by a masterful display of batting from India’s middle-order batsman, Tilak Varma. His unbeaten 72 runs proved to be the difference, a performance that even England’s pace bowling all-rounder, Brydon Carse, readily acknowledged in the post-match press conference.

Carse, reflecting on the match, conceded that despite England setting a challenging 166 runs and maintaining consistent pressure through wickets, Varma’s mature and calculated innings tipped the scales decisively in India’s favour. The victory secured a commanding 2-0 lead for India in the five-match series, leaving England with a significant uphill battle.

The match wasn’t just about Varma’s individual brilliance; it also highlighted the contrasting fortunes of England’s bowlers. While Carse himself contributed significantly with both bat (a quick 31 runs off 17 balls) and ball (three wickets), the spotlight fell heavily on Jofra Archer’s expensive spell. Archer conceded a hefty 60 runs in his four overs, a stark contrast to his impressive performance in the previous match.

Carse, however, offered a measured defence of his teammate, attributing Archer’s costly spell to a combination of factors rather than solely attributing blame. He pointed out that several of the boundaries conceded were well-struck shots over the keeper, highlighting the power and precision of the Indian batsmen. He emphasized that Archer’s overall performance wasn’t wholly negative; the expensive spell was an anomaly rather than representative of his capability. The sheer pace at which Archer bowls, Carse suggested, inherently carries a risk of such high-scoring overs.

Despite the defeat, Carse remained resolute about England’s aggressive strategy. He asserted that their approach, characterized by a commitment to taking risks in both batting and bowling during the power play, would remain unchanged. He acknowledged that room for improvement always exists, but stressed their intention to persist with this inherently high-risk, high-reward strategy. The lack of success so far, he indicated, does not warrant a change in their fundamental approach.

Looking ahead, Carse found some solace in the closely contested nature of the match. He viewed the narrow defeat as a positive learning experience, especially given the significance of close games in preparing for future tournaments, including the upcoming Champions Trophy. While acknowledging the disappointment of the loss, he emphasized the value gained from such high-pressure situations, believing that these experiences will be invaluable in their future performances.

The current predicament, however, is undeniable. With two consecutive defeats and only three matches remaining, England faces a daunting task. Carse recognized the lack of margin for error, stating that every remaining game would be a crucial battle. While acknowledging a degree of team disappointment, he expressed a sense of optimism, highlighting the improved performance compared to the first T20I as a building block for future success. The challenge is clear: win the next three matches to salvage the series.