How India foiled Pak offence: Army gives cricket analogy, ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if…’

In a rare and powerful intersection of sports and strategy, the Indian Army cited an analogy from the world of cricket to convey a potent message: India’s air defence is not just layered, but lethal. While outlining the key aspects of Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations, turned to a famous cricket reference from the iconic 1970s Ashes series to vividly illustrate the strength and depth of India’s air defence network.

Lt Gen Ghai recalled that in the 1970s Ashes series between Australia and England, two Australian fast bowlers had completely dismantled the English batting lineup. “They used to say, ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo doesn’t get you, Lillee must’.”

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The analogy, drawn from the blistering fast-bowling duo of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, wasn’t simply for flair—it was a metaphor for India’s air defence doctrine, which functions like an unrelenting bowling attack: if one line of defence doesn’t stop an intruder, the next surely will.

Operation Sindoor: A measured response to terror

India’s powerful demonstration of military strength was in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 civilians dead. In retaliation, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror infrastructure hubs located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

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The scope and accuracy of the operation showed India’s growing capacity to deliver a strong and effective reply to threats emerging from across the border. Nearly 100 terrorists were reportedly neutralised during the strikes, as confirmed by different reports. However, what followed was a crucial test of India’s aerial defence systems, as Pakistan attempted an aerial counter-offensive.

Pakistan’s counter attempt: High tech, low impact

In a bid to retaliate, Pakistan launched multiple aerial threats, including drones, unmanned combat aerial vehicles and even Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles. But the Indian response was swift and absolute. Pakistan’s aerial offensive was decisively blunted by a multi-tiered air defence grid that left no room for error.

Debris from downed Turkish-origin YIHA and Songar drones was presented as proof of India’s aerial vigilance. Even the advanced PL-15 missile failed to breach India’s defences, thanks to an integrated interception ecosystem that activates in layered succession.

Multi-layered might: The air defence grid

India’s air defence network is built around multiple tiers, designed to intercept threats at various altitudes and distances. At the heart of this system is the Russian-origin S-400 Triumf, capable of neutralising enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones from as far as 400 km.

Adding to the arsenal is the homegrown Akash missile system, recognised for its operational efficiency and affordability in combat scenarios. It forms the core of India’s medium-range defence and was prominently featured during the Pakistani counter-strike attempt.

For threats at close and short range, the Israeli SPYDER system ensures rapid response against low-flying aircraft and missiles. These are further complemented by advanced Counter-UAS systems—both hard-kill and soft-kill—developed domestically to tackle the growing challenge of drone warfare.

Together, these systems form a grid-like shield over Indian airspace, making it virtually impregnable.

Cricket meets combat

Lt Gen Ghai’s use of a cricket analogy not only made complex defence concepts more accessible but also emphasised the unwavering and layered strength of India’s protective systems. In this comparison, Lillee and Thomson’s fast-bowling partnership is used as a symbol for India’s tiered network of defensive strike capabilities.

If an adversary survives the wrath of long-range missiles like the S-400, they are met with the fury of mid-range systems like Akash. Even if that fails, short-range interceptors and drone defence systems ensure no threat goes unanswered.

Much like Lillee and Thomson took turns dismantling batting line-ups in the 1974–75 Ashes, India’s defence grid takes down intrusions with coordination and discipline. The message is clear: “Even if you make it through one layer, another is waiting.”

Strikes, craters and cold facts

To substantiate claims of India’s precision strikes and successful defence, visuals were released of Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase, which showed a large crater—evidence of targeted missile impact. Further visuals from the Nur Khan airbase revealed extensive destruction, highlighting the precision of India’s strike operations.

In contrast, Pakistan’s retaliatory efforts proved ineffective, failing to achieve any meaningful impact. Indian military bases remained fully operational and no critical infrastructure suffered damage, a testament to the readiness of India’s integrated systems.

Indigenous power and policy backbone

A major takeaway from the operation was the performance of homegrown defence systems. The Akash system, in particular, emerged as a key player in India’s aerial success story. Officials attributed this operational success to sustained policy and budgetary support from the government over the past decade.

This commitment has enabled India to reduce reliance on foreign imports and develop battle-proven technologies, giving it not just tactical superiority but also strategic independence. On the other hand, Pakistan continues to rely extensively on imported military hardware and struggles with integrating its systems into a unified and efficient operational framework.

A game of nerves and networks

The recent exchanges between India and Pakistan weren’t just about missiles and drones—they were about systems, strategy and synergy. India’s air defence stood as a model of coordination from long-range radars to intercept launchers and from command control centres to front-line operators. Every piece worked in synchrony.

Pakistan, despite possessing high-end tech like the PL-15, failed to integrate its offensive into a coherent strategy. This asymmetry—technological and tactical—was laid bare in the skies.

Sentiment behind the strategy

Interestingly, the briefing took place on a day marked by another national moment—Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket. Lt Gen Ghai acknowledged this news with personal admiration stating that Virat Kohli was his favourite cricketer, a sentiment shared by millions of Indians.

This blend of national security and sport wasn’t mere coincidence—it reflected how deeply cricket is woven into the cultural fabric of India. In using cricket to explain combat, Lt Gen Ghai reached out to most of the Indian citizens, many of whom understand a bouncer better than a missile trajectory.

A message delivered, loud and clear

India’s handling of Operation Sindoor—both in offence and defence—marked a new chapter in strategic clarity and technical excellence. While the strikes demonstrated India’s capacity for precision retaliation, the air defence operations showcased a resilient shield that nullifies aggression before it becomes a threat.

By invoking a cricket analogy, the Indian military made a complex matrix of defence systems relatable and memorable. It was a reminder that in war, as in sport, victory lies not just in scoring points, but in denying the opponent even a moment of advantage.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust—if Akash doesn’t get you, S-400 must.