No 14224, Thursday 11 Jul 2024, KrisKross

Solution to 20D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Architectural structure in India covered with gypsum (8) PILASTER {P{I}LASTER}  

5   Call KrisKross about some strong medicine (6) EMETIC {CITE}{ME}<=

9   Girlfriend initially dismissed diamonds as unfashionable (8) OUTDATED {DATE}<=>{OUT} and {D}

10 Everyone welcoming saint - you and I too (2,4) AS WELL {A{S}{WE}LL}

12 Advertisement describing soap solution for fabric (9) POLYSTER {PO{LYE}STER}

13 In counter, see puris (Indian bread) (5) RUPEE [T<=]

14 Ancient painter, mostly contrarian (4) AGED DEGAs<=

16 Con to run back carrying an American dish made of onions (7) DOPIAZA {DO}{Z{A}IP<=}{A}

19 Say, where you may see sunlight reflecting in the early morning, or very late (7) OVERDUE (~ over dew)

21 Superior perhaps loves assessing knowledge, especially picking toppers (4) LAKE Acrostic

24 Oscar for each amateur musical performance (5) OPERA {O}{PER}{A}

25 Following a double century, tail-ender hoped to become famous (9) ACCLAIMED {A}{CC}{taiL}{AIMED}

27 It provides care for a small charge (6) CRECHE [CD]

28 Reflect with partner about changing diet (8) MEDITATE {M{DIET*}ATE}

29 Official never eats egg with tea, reportedly (6) NOTARY {N{O}{(~tea)T}ARY}

30 One prepared to go through bet for liqueur (8) ANISETTE {AN{I}{SET}TE}

DOWN

1   Quick dance exercise (6) PROMPT {P{ROMP}T} (Correction - {PROM}{PT} - See comments)

2   Lodge collecting rent raised not long ago (6) LATELY {LA{LET<=}Y}

3   Criticise plan (5) SLATE [DD]

4   Old tree chopped down and used (7) EXERTED {EX}{TREE*}{D}

6   Sweet setter's upset by regular pranks (6,3) MYSORE PAK {MY}{SORE}{PrAnKs}

7   Man is wearing blue paint that's dramatic (8) THESPIAN {T{HE'S}PIAN*}

8   Unfairly accused, back in jail… it's the end of the road (3-2-3) CUL-DE-SAC {ACCUSED+jaiL}*

11 Government's free network (4) GRID {G}{RID}

15 Criminal family's first head, grimly taking on rival leaders (9) GODFATHER {Fa...y+HEAD+Gr...y+Ta...g+On+Ri..l}* &lit

17 African Moor at war about to occupy throne (8) MOROCCAN {MOOR*}{C{C}AN}

18 Small peak is the most difficult (8) SEVEREST {S}{EVEREST}

20 Contract to remove "Times" (4) E?A? (Addendum - ERAS ERASe See comments)

21 Choose to cycle to the borders of Rajasthan to get support for the Speaker (7) LECTERN {(-e)LECT(+e)E}{Ra...aN}

22 Force international money deal (6) IMPACT {I}{M}{PACT}

23 Bond heard out chief of Espionage (6) ADHERE {HEARD*}{Es...e}

26 Sign of dental problem - file off the top (5) ARIES cARIES

Reference List

India = I, Diamonds = D, Saint = S, Con = DO, American = A, Oscar = O, Amateur = A, Century = C, Exercise = PT, Down = D, Government = G, About = C, Throne = CAN, Small = S, International = I, Money = M