Latest news with #Firstpost
News18
3 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Who Is Sajid Tarar, Pakistani-American Businessman Who Brokered Trump–Asim Munir White House Lunch?
Last Updated: A vocal supporter of Donald Trump since 2016, Tarar founded The American Muslims for Trump, and is known for advocating conservative values within the Muslim-American community A rare private lunch between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, in the prestigious White House Cabinet Room dominated global headlines this week. According to Firstpost, this was only the second time in over two decades that a Pakistani military chief was hosted at such a level in Washington—the first being General Pervez Musharraf after the 9/11 attacks. As Trump discussed regional politics, the Isarel-Iran conflict and defence technology with Munir, there was buzz over who had been able to broker the high-level luncheon. Reports now suggest that it was Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani-American businessman, who orchestrated Munir's invitation during the latter's five-day US visit to strengthen bilateral ties. WHO IS SAJID TARAR? The businessman is a lawyer, activist, and Republican political figure based in Baltimore. Born in Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan, Tarar immigrated to the US in the 1980s–90s, studied law at the University of Baltimore, and became a US citizen. He runs multiple business interests and serves as President of Maximus Investment Group, dealing in finance and real estate. He's also the CEO of the Center for Social Change, a Baltimore-based non-profit focused on community programmes and social services. A vocal supporter of Donald Trump since 2016, he founded The American Muslims for Trump, and has spoken at Republican National Conventions and is known for advocating conservative values within the Muslim American community. He served as an advisor to Trump on Muslim‑American engagement and frequently appeared in conservative media defending the administration's policies. According to Times of India and Firstpost, Tarar's influence in Republican circles extends beyond political rhetoric. His son reportedly worked at the US State Department during Trump's first term, further signaling his integration into Washington's conservative establishment. He also advocates for improved India–Pakistan relations and has, in the past, praised PM Narendra Modi and encouraged regional peace initiatives. While the meeting made headlines for its setting, it also stirred controversy in Pakistan. As Moneycontrol and Economic Times point out, there was no official representation from Pakistan's civilian government. This raises concerns about the military conducting parallel diplomacy—a long-standing criticism in Pakistan's power structure. The fact that a private individual like Tarar could facilitate such a high-level engagement without the Foreign Office being involved has unsettled parts of Islamabad's civilian leadership. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MEETING? According to top diplomatic sources in Washington, Trump laid out a series of sweeping demands and bold offers aimed at reshaping the regional power balance during the lunch meeting. Trump has reportedly asked Pakistan for unconditional military and strategic support, including access to air bases, ground logistics, and potentially sea routes—making Pakistan a critical player in any upcoming military theatre. In return, Trump has promised Pakistan unprecedented access to American defence technology—including 5th-generation stealth jets and advanced missile systems—along with significant financial aid. Trump reportedly urged Munir to 'distance Pakistan from Eastern blocs," including BRICS, and instead re-join the US-led security framework. The Trump–Munir meeting comes amid shifting global alliances, ongoing unrest in West Asia, and a changing power dynamic in South Asia. As reported by Moneycontrol, this private diplomacy could signal a future alignment where military figures bypass diplomats. With his increasing involvement in geopolitical dialogues, Sajid Tarar may be shaping a new model of diaspora-driven diplomacy—one that sidesteps traditional gatekeepers in both Washington and Islamabad. First Published:
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First Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Challenger to champion: How R Praggnanandhaa learnt to play for victory, not just experience
R Praggnanandhaa emerged as India's leading chess prodigy in 2023 but had a subdued 2024 as world champion D Gukesh took the spotlight. In 2025, however, he's back in form. In an exclusive chat, Praggnanandhaa explains the changes he made to achieve consistent success. read more Before D Gukesh became the youngest chess world champion in 2024, R Praggnanandhaa emerged as India's breakout star in 2023. The then-18-year-old held Magnus Carlsen to two draws in the classical games of the FIDE Chess World Cup . Although he eventually lost to the five-time world champion in the tie-breaks, Praggnanandhaa had already made a significant impact on the global chess stage. Then came 2024. Praggnanandhaa finally secured his first win over Carlsen, the highest-rated chess player of all time, at Norway Chess and also helped India win a historic gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad. But at an individual level, the big trophies were missing. He finished fifth at the Candidates as Gukesh won the tournament at 17 and then went on to beat Ding Liren in December to become the world champion at 18. At the World Rapid Championship, Praggnanandhaa was in joint lead till the penultimate round before a blunder against teenager and eventual winner Volodar Murzin brought everything crashing down for the Indian. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pure ecstasy and brutal agony, all within the span of a few months. Praggnanandhaa stood at a crossroads. Talent wasn't the issue; the challenge was using it to cross the finish line. Something was off. Something had to change. But what, exactly? That's when Praggnanandhaa turned to his most trusted ally in the chess world: his coach, R Ramesh. 'I think Ramesh knows me the best regarding chess. I've been working with Ramesh for the last 11 years,' Praggnanandhaa told Firstpost. 'We had a camp towards the end of the year. We were discussing all these issues in my game. And then we tried to go into details and try to find what is causing those issues and tried to find a solution to it. 'And I think all this work is paying off. In this regard, I think credit should be given to him.' Mental adjustments make Praggnanandhaa a winner But what was the solution? It was something seemingly minor, yet profound enough to be a life lesson. Praggnanandhaa was already beating top players, including Carlsen, but deep down, even he wasn't entirely sure of what he was capable of. In that camp at the end of 2024, Praggnanandhaa realised the fault was not in his game, but in his thinking. You can't beat the best players in the world if you don't think of yourself as the best. Since then, he has been a different player, winning the prestigious Tata Steel Masters at the start of the 2025 by beating Gukesh in a tie-breaker , clinching the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Chess Classic Romania last month and currently leading the FIDE Circuit 2025 standings, which can earn him a spot in the 2026 Candidates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I think it's mostly about mental changes, like being more confident in my abilities and trying to be more ambitious in games and not backing down against anyone,' Praggnanandhaa said while explaining what has changed in his game from 2024. 'You know, just fight, fight it out till the end. And as I said, I think once you believe in your abilities, you will fight in every game. Sometimes last year, especially in some tournaments, I was not feeling confident. So I think that was lacking. And once you regain that, you can be more ambitious. And I think now I'm more ambitious and fighting in every game.' A big support in his journey has also been his sponsors, who have made travel and training easy for the teenage chess star. 'Chess is expensive, especially when you travel to Europe for a tournament. You need to have trainers to help you during the tournaments. Apart from the tournament as well,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It's difficult when you prepare for tournaments like the Candidates. This is where the Adani Group, coming in and supporting players, is essential. This happened just before the Candidates, so I could prepare my best. I am also able to train with the best facilities. That's showing in my result. I don't need to worry about anything, just focus on the game and keep improving.' With the key to winning decoded and sponsors onboard, Praggnanandhaa appears to be on the right path — grounded, yet ambitious. The teenager is well aware that Magnus Carlsen and elite players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana aren't going anywhere. And the competition is rising back home too, with the likes of D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi. Praggnanandhaa is pleased with the progress he has made, but he knows there's still a long way to go. 'Yeah, I wouldn't really say I've been progressing rapidly,' Praggnanandhaa said. 'There have been some hiccups in between, like last year just didn't go my way. This year has been good for me so far, and I hope to continue that way. If you compare just these six months, then it's been good. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'But if you like, take into account the last year, then I think it's just normal progress and considering our last few months, definitely happy with my games and I want to continue playing this way,' he signed off.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Inside Netanyahu's campaign to destroy Iran's bunker nuclear sites: Here's what Israeli expert says
Despite being Israel's principal objective, the destruction of Iran's nuclear sites has barely been achieved so far. As these underground sites remain out of bounds to Israel, Israel is looking at US President Donald Trump to join the war with his 'bunker buster' bombs. Here is how the joint Israel-US war on Iran may play out — or what happens if he wouldn't join. read more More than four decades after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei committed the Islamic Republic of Iran to the destruction of the Jewish state, Israel has dealt catastrophic blows to the ayatollah's regime — the military leadership has been decapitated, air defences have been destroyed, critical infrastructure and military sites stand battered, and the Supreme Leader remains in hiding. But Israel needs US help to go the final mile. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set the destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities as the principal objective of 'Operation Rising Lion'. As Israel does not have capabilities to destroy Iran's underground nuclear sites, that's an impossible objective unless Israel's principle partner, the United States, steps in. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The war might appear as a gamble as the success rests on whether US President Donald Trump joins or not, that is not the case and the decision to launch the war was a calculated move, says Daphne Richemond Barak, a professor of international relations at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy at Israel's Reichman University. Despite being the principal objective, the destruction of nuclear sites is the one that's least achieved so far as the Fordow nuclear site, which houses Iran's most advanced centrifuges that produce near-weapons grade uranium, remains standing. But that may change soon as Trump sought Iran's 'unconditional surrender' on Tuesday and appeared to set the tone for military action. ALSO READ: As Netanyahu dares Khamenei, here's timeline of Israel-Iran conflict Barak tells Firstpost, 'There is definitely a certain hope on part of Prime Minister Netanyahu of the United States joining the war. Israel has already degraded Iran's capabilities to a great extent that goes a long way in denying it a nuclear weapon.' Fordow: The mountain nuclear base that stands in way of Israeli victory — and how Israel plans to breach it After striking Natanz, all eyes are on the Fordow nuclear site, which is housed in an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) base and built inside a mountain. It is situated near the holy city of Qom. While some sources say it goes as deep as half a mile underground, Barak, a specialist in underground warfare, says the facility reaches the depth of 60-100 metres — beyond the scope of Israel's munitions. Barak says that Fordow is not built simply under 60-100 metres of soil, but it is built under 60 to 100 metres of concrete. The Natanz site is understood to be similarly built with 20-3o metres of concrete above it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'For more than a decade, Iran has progressively and consistently placed its nuclear programme deep underground. While Fordow and Natanz are well known, such facilities are spread across Iran. Israel can attempt to destroy such facilities in two ways. The first is the Nasrallah way and the second is through special, heavy 'bunker buster' munitions that only the United States has,' says Barak. The first option refers to how Israel assassinated former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last year in Beirut, Lebanon. He was also hiding in a bunker with 18-20 metres of concrete above him. 'Israel struck the top of Nasrallah's bunker with precision-guided bombs. Israel launched bombs on top of each other until they breached through 20 metres of concrete and killed Nasrallah. Such brute strength is enough to reach the underground levels of Natanz but not Fordow,' says Barak. In Nasrallah's case, Israel dropped around 80 tons of explosives in serial strikes on top of each other within just 10 seconds — like hammering an 80-ton explosive nail through concrete until it reached Nasrallah. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the second option, US 'bunker buster' munitions, the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) and GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, would be used. They can penetrate up to 60 metres of concrete. To breach the reinforced roof of the Fordow facility, multiple strikes of such ordnance — colloquially called 'mother of all bombs'— would be required. 'These bombs have hardened metal tips and are heavy by themselves even without explosives. With their weight and speed that they are launched from, these bombs penetrate their target whether it's soil or concrete. They do not explode immediately on impact," Barak says. 'Instead, they explode after they have penetrated the target. The delayed explosion after penetration means the damage is concentrated inside the target structure and not on top of it. This also increases the radius of the area these bombs damage,' says Barak, the author of the book 'Underground Warfare' (2018). ALSO READ: As Israel goes to war with Iran, here's how Islamic Revolution turned partners into enemies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is not just that these bombs are with the United States, but only a select few in the US military have the expertise to launch them. The GBU-43/B MOAB can only be launched by a modified C-130 aircraft from its ramp and GBU-57A/B MOP can only be launched from a B-2 stealth bomber. While the United States can theoretically loan these assets to Israel, it will likely not be the case as the United States guards such technology zealously even from its closest allies and partners. This means that if such bunker busters are used, they would most likely be dropped by the US Air Force itself. Barak says that Prime Minister Netanyahu is hopeful the United States will join and there are multiple ways that may happen. 'President Trump might decide to join proactively or he could join in response to an Iranian attack on US bases in the region or could launch a pre-emptive strike in response to an imminent attack. After all, the Israeli operation is also a pre-emptive strike on Iran's nuclear programme as Israel believes that this would be the final window to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,' says Barak. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indeed, there are indications that may happen — or at least preparations are being made. Trump lays groundwork for attack on Iran After maintaining for the first three days of the war that he would prefer a deal with Iran to end the conflict, Trump started laying groundwork for direct military involvement over the weekend. After moving more than 30 aerial refuelling tankers to Europe to support operations in West Asia over the weekend, Trump bolstered existing squadrons in the region with additional fighter planes on Tuesday. US Navy's Nimitz carrier strike group is also being rushed to the region to join Carl Vinston carrier strike group — two carrier strike groups generally comprise at least 120 warplanes, four cruisers, four destroyers, and possibly submarines as well. ALSO READ: Israel's multi-front war with Iran could alter power dynamics in West Asia for a long time In what appeared to be an attempt to set pretext for an attack, the Trump administration posted dozens of videos of Trump in a thread on X that mentioned all the occasions over the years when Trump said he would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Barak says that the US positioning might not just be about attacking Iran, but it could also be about pressuring Iran into reaching a deal — Trump after all prides himself as a master dealmaker. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What's the road ahead? 4 possibilities As Israel has battered Iran and cornered Khamenei, Barak tells Firstpost there are four possibilities how the conflict might conclude. Firstly, Trump might join the war and bomb Iran's nuclear sites. Secondly, Trump refuses to join the war but supports Israel's war — minus the supply of bunker busters to destroy the Fordow site. 'In such a case, it might appear that Israel would have lost, but that would not be the case. Even without destroying Fordow, Israel has degraded Iran's capabilities and set the Iranian nuclear programme back by many years. That is a good enough outcome for Israel short of complete destruction of nuclear capabilities,' says Barak. Thirdly, the Israeli campaign serves as a pressure on Khamenei to enter negotiations seriously and reach a deal. Fourthly, even as Israel batters Iran, the people of the country rise up against Khamenei's regime — Netanyahu has said that one of the outcomes of the war could be a change of regime in Iran. However, not everyone agrees with Barak. There is a line of thought that anything short of complete destruction of Iranian nuclear capabilities would lead to Khamenei going full-throttle for the development of a nuclear weapon to make up for lost conventional deterrence. Barak says that he would not be in a position to do so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A week ago, Khamenei could perhaps have developed a weapon in a short duration if he wanted to. Now, we are not living in the same world as a week ago. The various capabilities involved in making a nuclear weapon have been degraded enough so that even if the Fordow site is left standing, Iran would not be in a position to make a nuclear weapon for years,' says Barak. Even though Israel could not cause much damage to the underground levels of the Natanz facility, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has told BBC News that all centrifuges at the underground uranium enrichment facility at the Natanz nuclear site were 'severely damaged if not destroyed altogether'. While the centrifuges were not directly hit, they were still affected as Israel's aboveground strikes 'completely destroyed' electricity systems that were required to sustain those centrifuges, according to Grossi. Could Natanz's centrifuges be a metaphor for what might be in the offing for Khamenei? While Israel may not go after Khamenei, a chain reaction may still paralyse his regime in the days to come.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Clarity, training and parents' sacrifice: The making of Indian squash prodigy Anika Dubey
Only 15, Anika Dubey is gearing up to represent India at the World Junior Championships next month in Cairo. In an exclusive interview, she talks about choosing squash, training to become a potential senior star and her parents' sacrifices. read more Anika Dubey is a three-time national junior squash champion and has already competed at the Asian Junior Team Championships, all by the age of 15. Image credit: HCL Indian Junior Open At an age where a majority of school-going kids are either busy clearing their homework, preparing for exams or playing hide-and-seek and other games with friends in the neighbourhood, Anika Dubey has already announced herself as the next big thing in Indian squash. Not only is Dubey, a Pune resident, a three-time national junior champion in the sport, she had also competed at the Asian level earlier this year and is set for her maiden appearance in a global event in a month's time. All of this at the age of 15. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The highlight of her career, which is still in its infancy, has been competing at the Asian Junior Team Championships in Korea in February. Dubey was part of an Indian team that progressed into the semi-finals by winning four out of five matches in the group stage, including against Japan and China, before losing to eventual winners Hong Kong. More from Sports 'It's not a matter of life and death anymore': Mouratoglou explains why Djokovic has not won the 25th Grand Slam For Dubey, it was a big step up from the national level, where she has already established herself as a champion, not once but multiple times. Which has justifiably earned her the moniker the 'Golden Girl of Pune'. 'I think it was one of my first team events, the whole experience of going together with a team, that was really good. And I think I learned a lot of new things from there, like playing with the international, Asian level kids, all older than me,' Dubey told Firstpost in an exclusive interaction. 'So I learned a lot of things about their level of fitness, their level of skill. And I think some of my key takeaways would be how they're all super calm and controlled in the court and how they feel their agility in the court really helps them,' she adds. The experience of competing at an Asian-level tournament is certainly going to come in handy for her when she competes in the biggest tournament of her nascent career so far – the World Junior Squash Championships that takes place in Cairo, Egypt, from 21 July to 1 August. 'Definitely I think it will help, because Asian is on the step to Worlds, so if I can start doing well in the Asian level, where I'm going for the Asian juniors right now, so after that, I think with that exposure I can improve and go better in the Worlds. And I think I'm very excited,' Dubey told this website. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She has been training with her current coach, Abhinav Sinha, for the last five years, and the Mumbai-based lawyer-turned-athlete reveals that her training for the Worlds has been in motion for nine months with the intention of having her peak around July, when the tournament will get underway. 'The planning for the events have been in place for last nine months actually. So it's all been planned, gearing up towards peaking in July for these events. She has worked a lot on court movements and fitness part, and we have introduced some advanced fitness training – EMS training – which she has been doing. 'So fitness-wise, I think physically she is there and we have obviously worked on her game strategies, which we will do more in the last month as she's getting close to the matches, like tournament scenarios,' said Sinha, who was also part of the interaction alongside Dubey. How Dubey's parents shaped her squash journey through hard work and sacrifice Dubey grew up idolising Indian squash icons Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa as well as legendary athletes from other sports such as Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu. And while she played several sports early in her childhood, she took her squash game 'to the next level' at the age of 8-9, at which point she had pretty much made up her mind about pursuing the indoor racquet sport a lot more seriously. Sinha, meanwhile, knows a thing or two about the sacrifices that her parents made to fulfil Anika's dream of becoming a world-class squash player. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'When she started with us, she was very young, based in Pune and I was in Bombay. I used to go to Pune, but not that often. They (Anika's parents) took a call when she was around 10 or 11. She was doing well, but she was not at the top, but they showed that kind of dedication of getting her to Bombay to train at that time because she was struggling in Pune. 'So that's the kind of effort in fact I would say parents have put in and they are still doing it now. Right now, she's in Bombay again, so they keep doing that every weekend. So, from the parents' point of view, I think it's a great effort in a good way. And obviously results make them happy, but effort is always there,' Sinha adds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Anika, meanwhile, describes her parents as her biggest source of inspiration, who continue to play an active part in overseeing her training as well as diet, besides helping her out academically. 'I think they took a lot of the biggest roles because they kept me going even when I was struggling, even when I was younger. They took me to practice every day, they supported me, they helped me with my studies. They keep track of my food, my training, my fitness, everything,' the 15-year-old said. Juggling between training and studies Competing in a global event in any discipline requires an athlete to dedicate themselves fully to their sport – to eat, sleep and breathe it, as some would say. For young athletes like Dubey, however, there's the added pressure of managing her studies as well. Sure, there are plenty of examples of legendary athletes who weren't the brightest students during their school days. However, the fact that an athlete's playing career typically lasts till the late 30s and one has to plan for life after retirement as well, getting good grades in school along with a college degree certainly comes in handy, even if it's not an absolute must. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dubey, for one, insists there's no pressure from her parents when it comes to securing good grades in school, including in her board exams that she will be appearing in next year. The teenager also ensures that she keeps her school life separate from her squash career and that she is able to dedicate enough time towards it at the end of the day. 'School is completely different and I keep both of them completely different environments. So school is all about like not related to squash, I don't talk about squash. Squash is not related to school. So like I keep them two completely different roles. 'And I think in school, one of the biggest challenges was to complete my work and then convince the teachers that even if I'm not present, I can still score well. So time management and all those were kind of difficulties I faced, but then I think I'm doing pretty well now,' said Dubey, who added that she focuses on her studies late in the evening, after she's done with her squash training. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Though she will be eligible to play at the U-19 level for another four years, Dubey is already setting her sights on representing the nation at the senior level in major events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games among other events, although it remains to be seen if she'll get to play alongside her idols Ghosal and Chinappa, who are in their late 30s. 'I think my short-term goal would be to perform well in these world-level events that I'm going to next month and then to do some more world-level events this year. And the school side will probably be to do well in my boards next year. 'Long term, I would like to be a part of the Indian team, not only junior but the senior team as well, the women's team, to go to all the major events. School, I'm not so sure. I'm just taking it as it comes,' Dubey signed off. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
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First Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Rob Key Exclusive: 'Talented players adapt quickly, and it's no different for India. Bazball needs to evolve'
In an exclusive chat with Firstpost, England's Rob Key offered his take on the tactical dynamics of the India vs England series, key players to watch, and why he feels this contest could spark a renewed passion for Test cricket. read more As cricket fans gear up for what promises to be a captivating English summer, England's Managing Director of Men's Cricket, Rob Key, has opened up about the upcoming five-match Test series against a young and evolving Indian side, now led by new skipper Shubman Gill. With the series kicking off at Headingley on 20 June, this contest is far more than just a battle for supremacy — it is a potential stage for future legends to emerge and a reaffirmation of Test cricket's enduring appeal across generations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Following the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, this series signals a new chapter for both sides. It also marks the beginning of the inaugural Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy — named after two of the game's greatest ambassadors — adding a layer of symbolism to this rivalry. More than that, the series sets the tone for England's challenging year ahead, with an Ashes tour of Australia looming on the horizon. In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost, Key shared his insights on the tactical landscape of the series, the players to watch, and why he believes this contest could ignite a new era of Test cricket passion. IND vs ENG series to start 'belter of a pitch' at Headingley When asked whether starting the series at Headingley was a deliberate tactical decision to exploit familiar English conditions against the visiting subcontinental team, Key offered an intriguing perspective. 'I think a lot of the time, the way grounds are scheduled is decided quite far in advance,' he explained. 'In the 2000s, Headingley could be unpredictable – cracks on the surface, movement under cloud cover, and occasional variable bounce,' Key recalled. 'But in recent years, it's become one of the best batting tracks in the country. Just think back to Ben Stokes' heroics in 2019. It now offers pace and carry, which makes for great viewing and a proper contest.' He expects a 'belter of a pitch' this time, aided by an unusually dry English summer and a lightning-quick outfield. Which Test matches Jasprit Bumrah will miss in England is the biggest question among the fans currently. Image: PTI Before arriving in England, the Indian think-tank publicly announced that Jasprit Bumrah would not feature in all five Tests . Someone of his stature missing part of the series can be a significant morale-booster for the opposition. However, Key emphasised the importance of focusing on the present challenge rather than dwelling on individual absences. 'Whenever Bumrah plays, I just love watching him bowl. He's one of the best in the world – probably one of the best we've ever seen. But from our point of view, it's about facing what's in front of you. Our players will prepare accordingly, but there's no doubt he's a phenomenal talent.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD England expected to rotate bowlers in India series England are entering a new phase, having moved beyond the iconic duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The current focus is on building a sustainable pace unit with flexibility and depth. Key also hinted at potential tactical switches mid-series, based on workload and match conditions. 'With Broad and Jimmy, you could plug them in for five Tests and they'd maintain their pace and skill throughout, much like what [Pat] Cummins and [Josh] Hazlewood do these days,' said the former Kent and England batter. 'Now, with a younger, less experienced bowling attack, we have to be smart about rotation and rest. It's about being ahead of the game — resting when necessary — and having capable replacements ready.' Also Read | India vs England: Key individual milestones that Gill, Jaiswal and other Indians could achieve England's bowling group features young faces like Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, and Jacob Bethell, with Jofra Archer expected to return after the first Test. Asked about the fitness and readiness of this young attack, Key stressed a smart, flexible approach. He also highlighted the opportunity this series presents for new players to announce themselves: 'This is where a number of young players will make their name. It's exciting.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD England's bowling attack includes youngsters like Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse and Jacob Bethell. Image: Reuters Meanwhile, the experienced Chris Woakes is probably England's biggest asset going into this series. He will spearhead their pace attack. 'Chris Woakes is one of the best bowlers in the world when he's performing,' Key responded. 'He's had a huge impact in previous series — he was key to turning the Ashes around when we were two-nil down.' He added a note of cautious optimism while talking about Woakes' future: 'We'll see how he pulls up after this series, but there's no reason why he can't be a fantastic part of the team moving forward.' Key pays tribute to Kohli, Rohit With Kohli and Rohit now retired from Test cricket, Key paid tribute to their immense contribution. 'When you watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, you see players doing things you can only dream of,' he said. 'Their legacy will live far beyond their playing days. They've championed Test cricket and inspired kids in both India and England to love the game.' This influence, he believes, will shape the next generation: 'There will be young players inspired by them who emerge as the stars of tomorrow.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Key lessons for Shubman Gill and Co from practice games, WTC Final and past tours India's current squad is younger and less experienced in English conditions, leading many to see this as an opportunity for England to assert dominance early in the series. Key, however, urged caution: 'Talented players adapt quickly. It's no different for India — they have promising youngsters, and I love watching how they come through. This is a year where players will make their names on both sides.' England's aggressive, high-risk 'Bazball' approach has redefined the pace and thrill of Test cricket. Asked whether this style will continue against India's disciplined bowling, Key said: 'We look for players who can put bowlers under pressure but also know when to soak it up. It's about evolving the style — sometimes being aggressive, sometimes patient.' He emphasised the need for balance: 'Getting the decision right about when to attack or defend gives you the best chance of success.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Team India faces the tough task of quickly replacing retired stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Image: AFP Key, meanwhile, rejected the notion that Test cricket is in decline. 'We have a brilliant year ahead with this India series, then the Ashes,' he said. 'We've got a brilliant year with a fantastic opportunity of playing against India, who are a great side, the same. Then we play Australia, you know. And then we'd play a very good New Zealand team. Over the next few years, they're going to become a force as well. There is also South Africa who have just won the World Test Championship. So, I think Test cricket hasn't been more watchable than ever over the last two years, and that's because of the ability and the quality of the players on show.' 'IND vs ENG series will inspire young cricketers' The new trophy, named after Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, adds a fresh symbolic dimension to the contest. 'It's fantastic,' Key said. 'Both players mean so much to fans in India and England who grew up watching them. It gives the series an added layer of relevance.' Above all, Rob Key believes this series is more than just a cricket contest — it's an inspiring chapter in the ongoing story of Test cricket. 'Test cricket is about watching extraordinary skill and players rising to the occasion,' he said. 'This series will showcase emerging stars, thrilling contests, and moments that will inspire young cricketers for years to come.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The five-Test saga between England and India, live on Sony Network in India, promises to be a defining moment — a true crucible where the heroes of tomorrow take their first steps into the spotlight, carrying forward the enduring legacy of Test cricket.
