The big question

It wasn’t just the Chennai Super Kings’ talisman M. S. Dhoni who faced a momentous question on May 25.

CSK and Gujarat Titans were playing their final IPL group-stage match that day, and as has become tradition in recent years, the world awaited Dhoni’s word on his future.

On any other Sunday, this subplot would have had Trusha Vyas, a 29-year-old photographer from Ahmedabad, utterly thrilled. But this was no ordinary day. As her car pulled up in front of the stadium gate, she could feel her heart racing. She wouldn’t call it “nerves” — it was something more personal, terrifying, yet strangely beautiful.

Trusha’s partner, Aditya Shah, a cinematographer by profession, had accompanied her.

“Aditya and I have had so many memories together at the Narendra Modi Stadium. We watched India vs Pakistan and the 2023 ODI World Cup final here. We also attended the Coldplay concert,” Trusha told the Diary. GT vs CSK was about to become the fixture they’d never forget. Ahead of the 15th over of the first innings, Aditya received the most emotional surprise of his life. Trusha, who had momentarily slipped away, returned with a shimmering platinum ring and a banner that read: “GT or CSK? Doesn’t matter! My real win is you. Will you marry me, Aditya?” That night, there was no hesitation from the only two people who mattered.

-Santadeep Dey

Leave vu

Stepping into Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium offered an instant sense of déjà vu. The boundless Jan Path leading to the majestic Vidhan Sabha, the fresh foliage outside the Rambagh Palace walls, and the shimmering lights surrounding Amar Jawan Jyoti at the entrance all evoked vivid memories. This marked the Diary’s third visit to the charming venue in as many years. Yet, once inside, much had changed. Though pink remained the dominant hue, striking pockets of red quickly caught the eye. After hosting Rajasthan Royals for five matches, the stadium underwent a brief transformation to serve as Punjab Kings’ home venue for its final two league games.

Though the match against Delhi Capitals didn’t draw a full house of jersey-clad Punjab Kings supporters, the home-like atmosphere wasn’t lost
| Photo Credit:
ANISH PATHIYIL

“ Bahar se gulaabi hai, par andar se poora lal hai (The exteriors are pink but the stadium is completely red on the inside),” quipped a journalist accompanying the Diary.

While the original pink seats remained, temporary seating rows and VIP sections were draped in the home team’s red.

Though the match against Delhi Capitals didn’t draw a full house of jersey-clad Kings supporters, the home-like atmosphere wasn’t lost. After conceding two boundaries in his first over during the PowerPlay, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar roared back, dismissing opposition captain Faf du Plessis — spurred on by the stadium DJ blasting his Punjabi anthem ‘Pagg’. The song returned in the next match against Mumbai Indians, as Brar scalped the prized wicket of Rohit Sharma.

The Kings wrapped up their run at a third home venue this season — after New Chandigarh and Dharamsala — with a win and a loss, enough to seal a top-two finish.

-Anish pathiyil

Plenty to cheer about

Cricket fans in Punjab have had plenty to cheer about over the past fortnight. Punjab Kings qualified for the IPL playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

The initial leg of the playoffs was staged at the swanky Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, an open-air venue on the outskirts of Chandigarh that began hosting IPL matches in 2024. And to top it all, Shubman Gill, who hails from a village in Fazilka district near the India-Pakistan border, was named India’s 37th Test captain.

“I am happy that Gill has become Test captain. He is a Punjabi munda (lad),” said Harman, a fan who had travelled from nearby Ludhiana, just before Qualifier 1 between PBKS and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “I hope he leads well. I didn’t expect him to be named captain. I thought (Rishabh) Pant will helm the reins.”

There was equal enthusiasm for Punjab’s spirited playoff run after a prolonged wait. “There was frustration watching the IPL in previous years. This time, Punjab’s team combination was very good. (Shreyas) Iyer and (Ricky) Ponting seem to have a good understanding as captain and coach. The young players have done very well,” another fan remarked. In the coming weeks, as Gill embarks on a demanding Test tour of England in his first assignment as captain, Punjab’s cricket faithful will hope there’s even more to be proud of.

-Vivek Krishna