The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 30, Sunday 16 Nov 2025, Dr. X

ACROSS

1   Fine independent girl captivated by lousy rogue? Try to explain that! (2,6) GO FIGURE {F}{I}{G} in {ROGUE}*

5   Part of chest is sore, covered by red rash (6) DRAWER {D{RAW}ER*}

10 Leader of band finishes and bows (5) BENDS {Band}{ENDS}

11 Foremost of stars acquired outstanding following (9) SHADOWING {St..s}{HAD}{OWING}

12 Get article about giving up ultimately harmful product causing cancer (9) CIGARETTE {GET+ARTIClE}*

Smoking is Injurious to health! Smoking causes Cancer.

13 Creeps in spot, knocking back drinks - extremely disgusting (5) EDGES {SEE}<= over {Di...nG}

14 Ancient warship in German city, endlessly circling island (6) BIREME {B{I}REMEn}

15 One seen in recreation room playing snooker essentially with couple (4,3) POOL CUE {snoOker+COUPLE}* Semi&lit

18 Author, we hear, is one who redresses wrong (7) RIGHTER (~writer)

20 Trounced in game shows, giving up (6) CEDING [T]

22 Temperature in area around engine (5) MOTOR {MO{T}OR}

24 Altering track by old band (9) TAILORING {TAIL}{O}{RING}

25 Caught unawares by open AI's endless range of knowledge (9) OVERTAKEN {OVERT}{Ai}{KEN}

26 Explosive stuff in container brought back by rebellious men (5) NITRO {TIN<=}{OR<=}

27 Programme featuring extremely unkempt musician (6) LUTIST {L{Un...pT}IST}

28 Wrong indeed, so unfair (3-5) ONE-SIDED*

DOWN

1   Start to admire swamp around both sides of creek in retreat (2,4) GO BACK {Ad...e}{BOG}<= {CreeK}

2   Stylish Attorney-General involved in dalliance is cheating (9) FINAGLING {F{IN}{AG}LING}

3   Complaint after bad meal in a resort - it gets messy (15) GASTROENTERITIS*

4   Flower-shaped ornament is extremely elegant in new store (7) ROSETTE {ROS{El...nT}TE*}

6   What surgeon removing implants will do to remind one of past unpleasant experiences (6,3,6) REOPEN OLD WOUNDS [C&DD]

7   Twist arm around wrestler's back (5) WRING {W{w...eR}ING} 

8   Badly regrets eating essentially spicy roll (8) REGISTER {REG{spIcy}STER*}

9   Peddled very pure cocaine essentially in wild party (4-2) RAVE-UP {V+PURE+cocAine}*

16 Found guilty of fraud and wrongdoing, arresting Tesla's director (9) CONVICTED {CON}{VIC{T}E}{D}

17 Intro to big announcement by comic drinking liquor (4,4) DRUM ROLL {D{RUM}ROLL}

19 Reshoot scene of libertine cuddling European model (6) RETAKE {R{E}{T}AKE}

20 Most stylish leader of group performing has new hairstyle (7) CHIGNON {CHIc}{Gr..p}{ON} over {N}

21 Ancient American lodge collapsed (3-3) AGE-OLD {A}{LODGE}*

23 Chirp of a small bird is pretty tuneful primarily (5) TWEET {TWEE}{Tu...l}

Reference List

Fine = F, Independent = I, Girl = G, Island = I, Temperature = T, Old = O, Men = OR(Other Ranks), Stylish = IN, Very = V, Tesla = T, Director = D, European = E, Model = T, American = A