The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 70, Sunday 23 Aug 2026, Gussalufz

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23-7 (4)

ACROSS

1   Makeshift hospital embraced by a physician (2,3) AD HOC {A}{D{H}OC}

4   One with crooked supporters, out eating some breakfast (3-6) BOW-LEGGED {BOWL{EGG}ED}

9   Study a large, grand, headless animal (7) ALGEBRA {A}{L}{G}{zEBRA}

10 Think exchanging bishop for rook is free? (7) RELIEVE (-b+r)RELIEVE

11 Kitchen area is secure (6) ISLAND {IS}{LAND}

12 Recommends inspiring retired teacher for those needing a guide (8) TOURISTS {TOU{SIR<=}TS}

14 Choke a potty (4) GAGA {GAG}{A}

15 Chief mischief-maker's cryptic grid? Learn about misdirections, essentially (10) RINGLEADER {GRID+LEARN}* over {m...rEc...s}

18 Small charges tend to soar while travelling (10) DETONATORS*

19 Charging device in vehicle died (4) CARD {CAR}{D}

22 Some schools provided retreats—quiet, distant monasteries, basically (4,4) FISH FARM {IF<=}{SH}{FAR}{Mo...s}

24 Tough series India lost for nought (6) STRONG STR(-i+o)ONG

26 One wished vacation in Gulag for vile person (1,3,3) A BAD EGG {A}{BADE}{GulaG}

27 Dignified mournful song abruptly cut off by pest (7) ELEGANT {ELEGy}{ANT}

28 Blasted constant tea breaks spoiled sport for viewer (9) SPECTATOR {C+TEA}* in {SPORT}*

29 About a facial feature somehow, IMO, lacking in enigmatic Mona Lisa (5) NASAL {moNA+LiSA}*

DOWN

1   Alibaba's ingenuity keeps humbling (7) ABASING [T]

2   Oh, sigh, flight has no openings; that creates stress (9) HIGHLIGHT {oH}{sIGH}{fLIGHT}

3   Conservative American houses prohibit cigars (6) CUBANS {C}{U{BAN}S} 

4   Swine stole last part of dinner (4) BOAR {BOA}{d...eR}

5   Hawks not cool with taking more time without starting attacks, ultimately (10) WARMONGERS {WARM}{lONGER}{a...kS}

6   Blew up grenade accidentally, after consuming a spot of liquor (8) ENLARGED {EN{Li...r}ARGED*}

7   Attendees rising regularly, sure enough (5) GOERS {SuRe+EnOuGh<=}

8   Doctor sees broken middle of arm with hospital assistant (7) DRESSER {DR}{SEES*}{aRm}

13 Entitlement of merriment without male interrupting—brilliant! (10) BIRTHRIGHT {B{mIRTH}RIGHT}

16 Oil and gas refining lines (9) DIAGONALS*

17 Roughly fifteen divided by hundred, basically (2,6) IN EFFECT {FIFTEEN}* over {C}

18 Satisfied all over with nibbles and licks (7) DEFEATS {FED<=}{EATS}

20 Like a country mostly computerised (7) DIGITAL {DIG}{ITALy}

21 Scattered news pieces involving evacuation in Thanjavur (6) STREWN {S{Th...uR}EWN*}

23 Special first-class room (5) SPACE {SP}{ACE}

25 University earnestly restrains student group (4) YEAR [T]

Reference List

Hospital = H, Large = L, Grand = G, Bishop = B, Rook = R, Died = D, Quiet = SH, India = I, Constant = C, Conservative = C, Male = M, Hundred = C, Special = SP

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 69, Sunday 16 Aug 2026, Arden

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ACROSS

1   Military orders to tolerate a ridicule (5,2,4) STAND AT EASE {STAND A TEASE}

7   First of all safety - and people undermine it (3) SAP Acrostic 

9   Middle name in a mix up - they provide early life cover (5) AMNIA {nAMe}{IN+A}*

10 Resistance to stop a film on murder - there's no shooting (9) ARMISTICE {A}{R}{MIST}{ICE}

11 With money, bank becomes more determined (9) DOUGHTIER {DOUGH}{TIER}

12 The bread winner brings it home... (5) BACON [CD]

13 ...and finally when the romantic ruler's getting amorous (7) NECKING {wheN}{thE}{r...iC}{KING}

15 Defy and force the ruffian (4) LOUT fLOUT

18 Plans over canned meat? (4) SPAM<=

20 Poet follows one as movement is slow (7) ANDANTE {DANTE}<=>{AN}

23 Daisy gets a stern warning to stay inside (5) ASTER [T]

24 New wine gets to head, shows unpleasantness (9) NASTINESS {N}{ASTI}{NESS}

26 Short course on drinking French wine in various regions (9) PROVINCES {PRO{VIN}CESs}

27 Come right inside the club (5) DRIVE {D{R}IVE}

28 Ultimately get to one digit (3) TOE Tail Acrostic

29 Dawdle around - days wasted finding top vegetable (5-6) LADYS FINGER {L{DAYS*}{Fi...g}INGER}

DOWN

1   School can make an impression while growing up (8) SCANDENT {S}{CAN}{DENT}

2   Declare the girl is overweight (8) ANNOUNCE {ANN}{OUNCE}

3   Inside a thing at the end (5) DEATH [T]

4   Making fun of a drink with Carol (7) TEASING {TEA}{SING}

5   A young man crossed over the border, returned with top officer (7) ADMIRAL {A} with {LA{RIM}D}<=

6   Oriental shock involving billions - going to China? (9) EASTBOUND {E}{AST{B}OUND}

7   Partners lie on long grass (6) SNITCH {S}{N}{ITCH}

8   Praises break up involving a sweetheart (6) PAEANS {SNAP<=} over {A}{swEet}

14 Justme with broken Tamil, about average (9) IMPARTIAL {I}{M{PAR}TIAL*}

16 The ruler, having born before '50 is praying (8) KNEELING {K{NEE}{L}ING}

17 Males promise merchandise for a haberdashery (8) MENSWEAR {MEN}{SWEAR}

19 Threatened people, one died later (7) MENACED {MEN}{ACE}{D}

20 Helps musicians to leave Britain (7) ASSISTS bASSISTS

21 Castigate for reviewing some of the corporate practices (6) CARPET [T<=]

22 Set to go out- no time for an underling (6) STOOGE {SEt+TO+GO}*

25 Tinned fruit picked regularly for a lemur (5) INDRI {tInNeD+fRuIt}

Reference List

Resistance = R, Force = F, New = N, Head = NESS, French wine = VIN, Right = R, School = S, Oriental = E, Billions = B, Partners = N,S, Born = NEE< 50 = L, Died = D, Britain = B, Time = T

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 68, Sunday 09 Aug 2026, Incognito

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ACROSS

8   Deputy's sin (4) VICE [DD]

9   Fixture used to fit carbon lighting device (5) CLAMP {C}{LAMP}

10 Last word of prayer from soldiers following Arabic at first (4) AMEN {MEN}<=>{Ar...c}

11 Kingdom's submarine releasing SAM at sea (6) BRUNEI sUBmaRINE*

12 Captivates nurse with incantations (8) ENCHANTS {EN}{CHANTS}

13 Alien trooper is after saint (8) STRANGER {RANGER}<=>{ST}

15 Hardy travels around one city (6) RIYADH {R{1}YADH*}

17 Study sessions from Charlie and girls (7) CLASSES {C}{LASSES}

19 Drug destroyed in Paris (7) ASPIRIN*

22 Wrongly try before soldier becomes despot (6) TYRANT {TRY*}{ANT}

24 Countermand circular letter on volume with reel broadcast about Rugby Union (8) OVERRULE {O}{V}{ER{RU{LE*}

26 Before time, cattle get cheap accommodation on board (8) STEERAGE {AGE}<=>{STEER}

28 Leaving Germany, Goering toured area (6) REGION gOERING*

30 Silly daughter is at back of boat (4) DAFT {D}{AFT}

31 Part of body in container (not trunk!) (5) CHEST [DD]

32 Record model animal (4) TAPE {T}{APE}

DOWN

1   Brainless librarian may be a fibber (4) LIAR LIbraRiAn*

2   Nag babes about things to sit on (8)  BEANBAGS*

3   Silly giant consuming a bit of cake and playing a role (6) ACTING {A{Cake}TING*}

4   Drink manufactured by Irish Republican Army (7) MADEIRA {MADE}{IRA}

5   Ghosts' extraordinary respect after commencement of seance (8) SPECTRES {RESPECT}*<=>{Se...e}

6   Bird ran back in island (6) CANARY {CA{RAN<=}Y}

7   Underwear from Galveston (4) VEST [HIPS]

14 Set, perhaps, sounds the same in absence of vision (5) TELLY (~televivion)

16 Bore doctor followed by one student after another (5) DRILL {DR}{1}{LL}

18 Bewitch portal (8) ENTRANCE [DD]

20 I repaired garret containing a bit of inky water (8) IRRIGATE {I}{RR{Inky}GATE*}

21 Fever about gold is never ending (7) FOREVER {F{OR}EVER}

23 Spies a girl with tangled nets (6) AGENTS {A}{G}{NETS*}

25 Birds starting to gather in gnarled trees (6) EGRETS {E{Ga...r}RETS*}

27 Mate organised sports group (4) TEAM*

29 Loves police sergeant's expression admitting mistake (4) OOPS {OO}{P}{S}

Reference List

Carbon = C, Nurse = EN(Enrolled Nurse), Saint = ST, Charlie = C, Volume = V, Rugby Union = RU, Germany = G, Daughter = D, Model = T, Student = L, Girl = G, Police Sergeants = PS

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 67, Sunday 02 Aug 2026, Incognito

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ACROSS

8   Attire available in Amritsar, India (4) SARI [T]

9   Excitedly goes around lecturer and stares lustfully (5) OGLES {OG{L}ES*} 

10 Father leaves Apache in pain (4) ACHE ApaCHE

11 Surplus obtained from old tax (6) EXCESS {EX}{CESS}

12 Snakelike Hopi and I danced (8) OPHIDIAN*

13 Arrange as region is quaking (8) ORGANISE*

15 Wonderland visitor follows maiden displaying spite (6) MALICE {ALICE}<=>{M}

17 Draught animal and stag running around lake left by beginning of October (7) BULLOCK {BU{L}{L}{Oc...r}CK}

19 Silly ass accepts a container to get fruits (7)  SAPOTAS {S{A}{POT}AS*}

22 Before morning, you and I start to buy costly computer accessory (6) WEBCAM {AM}<=>{WE}{Buy}{Co...y}

24 Drains go around street board (4,4) ROAD SIGN*

26 Poem composed about fluttering flag is a big failure (8) MEGAFLOP {ME{FLAG*}OP*}

28 One tailless animal follows another bird (6) BULBUL {BULl}{BULl}

30 European on a street gets direction (4) EAST {E}{A}{ST}

31 Sound made by head of team near small stream (5) TRILL {Team}{RILL}

32 Politician's attempt to consume egg (4) TORY {T{O}RY}

DOWN

1   Mummy getting right cross for political thinker (4) MARX {MA}{R}{X}

2   Twisted wire put during autumn to create protective feature (8) FIREWALL {F{WIRE*}ALL}

3   In France, good saint gives up book for miniature tree (6) BONSAI {BON}{SAInt}

4   Fully finished everywhere (3,4) ALL OVER {ALL}{OVER}

5   Setter swings his mace, resulting in restricted blood supply (8) ISCHEMIA {I}{HIS+MACE}*

6   Cut up sal and another kind of tree (6) SANDAL* 

7   Bird not at home in Rhine area (4) RHEA {RHinE}{A}

14 Love included in mysterious true path (5) ROUTE {R{O}UTE*}

16 Rock in Scotland, rolling cigar (5) CRAIG*

18 Utter, "Totally" (8) COMPLETE [DD]

20 Old student only gets a note: "Outdated" (8) OBSOLETE {OB}{SOLE}{TE}

21 Puzzling scream by police constable carrying that thing back (7) CRYPTIC {CRY}{P{IT<=}C}

23 Unsoiled church seat is broken (6) CHASTE {CH}{SEAT*}

25 Lamb preparation consumed in Alcoholics Anonymous in city (6) AMBALA {A{LAMB*}A}

27 Dash from crashed plane after losing first portion (4) ELAN pLANE*

29 United States captures some foreign and alien spaceships, perhaps (4) UFOS {U{FOr...n}S}

Reference List

Lecturer = L, Father = PA, Old = EX, Maiden = M, Lake = L, Left = L, Morning = AM, European = E, Street = ST, Mummy = MA, Right = R, Cross = X, Autumn = FALL, Good in French = BON, Book = NT(New Testament), At home = IN, Area = A, Old student = OB(Old Boy), Note = TE, Police constable = PC, Church = CH, Alcoholics anonymous = AA

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 66, Sunday 26 Jul 2026, Vidwan

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ACROSS

8   Reveal it, without small act (6) EXPOSE {sEX}{POSE}

9   Help! Miss! Help! (8) HANDMAID {HAND}{MAID}

10 Fudge made with rare sugar from the Caribbean (8) DEMERARA {MADE+RARE}*

11 Dissidence as a result of this small British trading (6) HERESY HERE(-b+s)SY

12 One who teaches baroque art deco outside university? (8) EDUCATOR {ART+DECO}* over {U}

13 Country crossing line for Spain and Portugal (6) IBERIA lIBERIA

14 Hardback? (5) STERN [DD]

16 Most sensible thing about a barbarian (5) BEAST {BE{A}ST}

21 Criticises and pans! Could be snappiness! (6) SNIPES {SNIPES+PANS}*=SNAPPINESS [CA]  SNAPPINESS

23 Just an international body located outside India (8) UNBIASED {UN}{B{I}ASED}

25 Revolutionary shine and spirit (6) CHERUB {CHE}{RUB}

26 Victory for Norway! Five Star perhaps for creative discipline! (4,4) FINE ARTS {FI(-v+n)NE}{STAR}*

27 Victory to India’s ruling coalition! Alcohol regularly relished in Goa! (8) VINDALOO {V}{I}{NDA}{aLcOhOl}

28 Millions wanting rock singer with  high pitch (6) TREBLE TREmBLE

DOWN

1   Old sweetheart has an inclination for stretches (7) EXTENDS {EX}{TENDS}

2   Sulk over team lying about current shutdown (5,3) POWER CUT {PO{CREW<=}UT}

3   Mostly take care of a Bible holder (6) TENANT {TENd}{A}{NT}

4   Setting a model in that place (7) THEATRE {THE{A}{T}RE}

5   Preserve energy, note and run into light (8) ENSHRINE {E}{N}{SH{R}INE}

6   Issue schemer generally covers (6) EMERGE [T]

7   Ties of blood and skin, first to finish in style! (7) KINSHIP {(-s)KIN(+s)S}{HIP} 

15 US Midwest bluster withered over time (4,4) RUST BELT {BLUSTER}* over {T}

17 Audience notice better looking sailor (8) SEAFARER (~see fairer)

18 In essence, lunch ain’t free! (7) UNCHAIN [T]

19 Discharge pimp wasting time on backsliding womaniser (7) OUTFLOW {tOUT}{WOLF<=}

20 Drunk pal kept giving motivational address (3,4) PEP TALK*

22 Standard publicity over electronic display (6) PARADE {PAR}{AD}{E}

24 Bad smell surrounding old lousy egg fish (6)  BONITO {BO} over {O}{NIT}

Reference List

Small = S, British = B, University = U, Line = L, India = I, Revolutionary = CHE, Victory = V, Norway = N, Millions = M, Bible = NT(New Testament), Model = T, Energy = E, Note = N, Run = R, Time = T, Publicity = AD, Electronic = E, Bad smell = BO(Body odour), Old = O

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 64, Sunday 12 Jul 2026, Incognito,

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ACROSS

1   Reverse vehicle after fire at English sports event (4,4) SACK RACE {CAR<=}{E}<=>{SACK}

5   Being short of money, repaired purdah (4,2) HARD UP*

10 Sign at end of terminus (5) MINUS [HIPS]

11 Thespian reportedly going after maid’s role (9) CHARACTER {(~actor)ACTER}<=>{CHAR}

12 Irks a couple of Poles on yellow ship at for starters (6) ANNOYS {A}{NN}{On}{Ye...w}{Ship}

13 Having enthusiasm, madam catches flying owl to get beetle larva (8) MEALWORM {M{E}ARM} over {OWL*}

15 On return, massage mummy in Myanmar (5) BURMA {RUB<=}{MA}

17 Fuss over sailors and soldiers on top of tank getting decoration (9) ADORNMENT {ADO}{RN}{MEN}Tank}

19 Means of enlightenment on streets? (9) LAMPPOSTS [CD]

20 Frigate leaving refrigerator at sea... That’s a mistake... (5) ERROR {REfrigeRatOR}*

21 Homing pigeons, perhaps, cruise or fly around (8) COURIERS*

23 Finally, map book is with team leader (2,4) AT LAST {ATLAS}{Team}

27 Madly insane to kidnap writer in mountain range (9) APENNINES {INSANE}* over {PEN}

28 Bread maker from Talliparamba, Kerala (5) BAKER [T]

29 Animals consuming some plantains and fruits (6) APPLES {AP{{PLa...s}ES}

30 Heard van destroyed porch (8) VERANDAH*

DOWN

1   Old spelling of capital from misplaced mails (5) SIMLA*

2   Puzzle sister hides in company container (9) CONUNDRUM {CO}{NUN}{DRUM}

3   Romeo is king at end of day... It’s dangerous (5) RISKY {R}{IS}{K}{daY}

4   Prepare gun for shooting bird (4) COCK [DD]

6   Immediately upon looking at a girl, knight gives up lot (2,1,6) AT A GLANCE {AT}{A}{G}{LANCElot}

7   Do as before (5) DITTO [CD]

8   Silly premier goes across alien’s boundary (9) PERIMETER {PERIM{ET}ER*}

9   A place of refuge given by Peter is at hotel near river (4,5) SAFE HOUSE {SAFE}{H}{OUSE}

14 Suspended, including damaged trams, and hindered (9) HAMSTRUNG {H{TRAMS*}UNG}

15 Ski mask produced by a lab rejected.. having cold and hot material! (9) BALACLAVA {A LAB<=}{C}{LAVA}

16 Gadget from Apple includes one crumpled can (9) APPLIANCE {APPL{1}{CAN*}E}

18 “Reserved” sign affixed to appendage (9) EARMARKED {MARKED}<=>{EAR}

22 Fully consume energy in American state (3,2) USE UP {US}{E}{UP}

24 To some extent, Rita blamed drum (5) TABLA [T]

25 Something to carry for an old flame? (5) TORCH [C&DD]

26 Insular land lies in tatters (4) ISLE*

Reference List

English = E, Maid = CHAR, Pole = N, Enthusiasm = E, Madam = MARM, Fuss = ADO, Sailore = RN(Royal Navy), Romeo = R, King = K, Alien = ET, Peter = SAFE, Hotel = H, Cold = C

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 63, Sunday 05 Jul 2026, Incognito

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ACROSS

8   Perhaps, Christian boy with a drink? (4) BALE {B}{ALE}

9   A tub that is damaged and having a hole in it? This vessel may be underwater... (1-4) U-BOAT {A+TUB}* over {O}

10 Times editor, at first, is surrounded by swirling gas (4) AGES {AG{Ed...r}S*}

11 Fox appearing in The Day of the Jackal (6) EDWARD [GK] Lovely movie

12 Communist, having kidnapped a pretty girl, mutinied (8) REBELLED {RE{BELLE}D}

13 Decrease from the moons orbiting (8) SMOOTHEN*

15 Nero dances in front of engineer getting dress (6) ENROBE {NERO}*{BE}

17 Type of gland, perhaps, having real DNA mutation (7) ADRENAL*

19 Tan sari manufactured for empress (7) TSARINA*

22 Entertains American with US bridge players (6) AMUSES {AM}{US}{E}{S}

24 Put off excited toffs carrying Greek letter and going around university (5,3) SNUFF OUT {TOFFS}* over {NU} and {U}

26 Nothing left, okay? (3,5) ALL RIGHT [DD]

28 Noise by Indiana man to be married in part of house (Continued in 32 Across) (6,4) DINING ROOM {DIN}{IN}{GROOM} 

30 Joint from shank needed (4) KNEE [T]

31 Silly in an exhibition at first (5) INANE {IN}{AN}{Ex...n}

32 See 28(4)

DOWN

1   Musical group from Porbandar (4) BAND [HIPS]

2   Insane demon ate worm (8) NEMATODE*

3   Turning up at end of hour, had returned veil (6) PURDAH {UP<=}{houR}{HAD<=}

4   Badly ignore German air chief during WW2 (7) GOERING {IGNORE}*{G}

5   Best bars moulded for assailants using sharp instruments (8) STABBERS*

6   Mariner from small oil tanker leaving Kent and sailing (6) SAILOR {S}{OIL+tAnkeR}*

7   Manufactured cashmere without scam at this place (4) HERE casHmERE

14 Lady remains unchanged on retirement (5) MADAM<=>

16 Wrap turban in absence of right African people (5) BANTU TUrBAN*

18 Spears animal in front of drunken sage around one (8) ASSEGAIS {ASS}{EGA{1}S*}

20 About financial penalty on railway for oil processing unit (8) REFINERY {RE}{FINE}{RY}

21 Smoker's accessory from trash thrown by a Yankee (7) ASHTRAY {TRASH*}{A}{Y}

23 Della in Mason books and Baker in Holmes stories (6) STREET [DD/GK]

25 Perhaps, what Dracula does... briefs, for example... (6) UNDIES [DD]

27 What uncle did with money in period before Easter? (4) LENT [DD]

29 Either way, it's middle of the day (4) NOON<=>

Reference List

Boy = B, Engineer = BE, American = AM, Bridge players = E(ast), S(outh), University = U, German = G, Small = S, Right = R, About = RE, Railway = RY

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 59, Sunday 07 Jun 2026, Incognito

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ACROSS

8   Power source in penitentiary (4) CELL [DD]

9   Love chasm that is egg shaped (5) OVOID {0}{VOID}

10 Cry at sea, perhaps, in Idaho yacht (4) AHOY [T]

11 Plane flying north carrying European (6) HORNET {HORN{E}T*}

12 Paddy, for example, for Hibernian (8) IRISHMAN {IRISH MAN}

13 At 10, Tod is confused... Look after... (6,2) ATTEND TO {AT}{TEN}{TOD*}

15 Bantu jumped around end of counter and produced headgear (6) TURBAN {TU{c...eR}BAN*}

17 Drop down, from bus reversing, at bank (7) SUBSIDE {BUS<=}{SIDE}

19 In middle of spilled diesel, blockhead produces eats (7) EDIBLES {EDI{Bl..k}LES*}

22 Excitedly praise Iran of yore (6) PERSIA*

24 A crime orchestrated by an inhabitant of the United States (8) AMERICAN {A}{CRIME*}{AN}

26 Mad red crone trapped (8) CORNERED*

28 Brags, “Starting to save in vessels” (6) BOASTS {BOA{Save}TS}

30 Nero fiddled in city (4) RENO*

31 Additional payment on us, boy, in the beginning (5) BONUS {ON}{US}<=>{B}

32 Clock face laid back (4) DIAL<=

DOWN

1   Over-riding power to change vote (4) VETO*

2   Bank lets manufacture warm covers (8) BLANKETS*

3   Robbed Theodore after John (6) LOOTED {TED}<=>{LOO}

4   Head boy rejected can in back-room (7) MONITOR {RO{TIN<=}OM<=}

5   Acknowledged, “Matt died horribly” (8) ADMITTED*

6   One accompanying Bolt is cleaner (6) WASHER [DD]

7   Adios! Leaving one and returning drink (4) SODA ADiOS<=

14 Correct about starting of ceasefire and suspension of hostilities (5) TRUCE {TRU{Ce...e}E}

16 Place to fight in region covering town at last (5) ARENA {ARE{towN}A}

18 Rant, “Aid biter? That’s silly!” (8) DIATRIBE*

20 Bandits and groups capturing capital endlessly (8) BRIGANDS {B{RIGa}ANDS}

21 Young females... they may be bowled by bowlers (7) MAIDENS [DD}

23 One, sir, may be an aged person (6) SENIOR*

25 Stamp showing Bond’s boss, I hear, with chief (6) EMBOSS {(~m)EM}{BOSS}

27 Unlock duck corral (4) OPEN {O}{PEN}

29 RIP... One may drop this on someone’s death... (4) TEAR [DD]

 

Reference List

European = E, Boy = B, John = LOO

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 55, Sunday 10 May 2026, Incognito

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ACROSS

8   Central part in Orinoco region (4) CORE [T]

9   Motorcyclist from Britain captures Eisenhower (5) BIKER {B{IKE}R}

10 Ontario church, at one time (4) ONCE {ON}{CE}

11 Perhaps, bends and moves bowels (6) ELBOWS*

12 Teen vamp walks around side-walk (8) PAVEMENT* 

13 Perhaps, tax payer's a beast of burden, getting notice without extensive search for starters (8) ASSESSEE {ASS}{SEE} over {Ex...e}{Se...h}

15 Animal that may be ailing? (6) NILGAI* 

17 Each cut oozes a plant extract (7) CATECHU* 

19 Set up residence outside a city (7) SEATTLE {SE{A}TTLE}

22 Go and set right (6) REPAIR [DD]

24 Most unapproachable meteor destroyed by saint (8) REMOTEST {METEOR}*{ST}

26 A salutation, in absence of model, conveying assent (8) AGREEING {A}{GREEtING}

28 No aide goes around American lake (6) ONEIDA* 

30 Attempt consuming egg in city (4) TROY {TR{O}Y}

31 Magical creature that is following general (5) GENIE {IE}<=>{GEN}

32 At all times, woman gets first right (4) EVER {EVE}{Ri..t}

DOWN

1   Bishop getting bird's container (4) BOWL {B}{OWL}

2   No seeker may produce paraffin (8) KEROSENE* 

3   Sailor employs curses (6) ABUSES {AB}{USES}

4   Small processed fish for captain (7) SKIPPER {S}{KIPPER}

5   Junior royal going around old Viscount's territory (8) PROVINCE {PR{O}{V}INCE}

6   Male in capital near port is a famous Field Marshal (6) ROMMEL {RO{M}ME}{L}

7   Read, "Dolt left Scotland" (4) SCAN SCotlANd*

14 Minced steak and fish (5) SKATE* 

16 A salt creates aid for navigation (5) ATLAS* 

18 That lady's ornaments? Maybe red, perhaps... (8) HERRINGS {HER}{RINGS}

20 Anchored decaying red teeth (8) TETHERED* 

21 Doctor composed a song for legendary creatures (7)  DRAGONS {DR}{A+SONG}*

23 In a seaman's lingo, word conveying assent twice to get an animal (3-3) AYE-AYE {AYE}{AYE}

25 Tied low, a colour from the traffic signal (6) MOORED {MOO}{RED}

27 Dress made from some sugar beet (4) GARB [T]

29 Attracted actress Barrymore (4) DREW [DD]

Reference List

Britain = BR, Eisenhower = IKE, Church = CE, Saint = ST, Model = T, Bishop = B, Sailor = AB, Small = S, Old = O, Viscount = V, Male = M, Port = L(Left), Low = MOO

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 54, Sunday 03 May 2026, Vidwan

Three answers per commenter till 4 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

9   Listen in, the first lady has a small mention (9) EAVESDROP {E{A}VE}{S}{DROP}

10 Go on about English being meanest (5) LEAST {L{E}AST}

11 Cry about adopting India colour (5) LILAC {CAL{I}L<=}

12 Fool hosting a short form of artistic work/period drama on TV (4,5) SOAP OPERA {SO{A}P}{OP}{ERA}

13 So return could be sponsored (7) RESPOND {RESPOND+SO}*=SPONSORED [CA]

15 Good and right to take responsibility as adult (7) GROWNUP {G}{R}{OWN UP}

17 I've innocence! No convoluted nuisance! (13) INCONVENIENCE {IVE+INNOCENCE+N}*

21 Perhaps only chap relinquishing power to become happy (7) HALCYON {ONLY+CHAp}*

22 Scoring century in gentleman's game and yet a bit shaky (7) RICKETY {cRICKET}{Yet}

23 Local clubs McCartney regularly goes to dehydrate (9) DESICCATE {DESI}{C}{mCcArTnEy}

25 Stir fear over fine (5) AWOKE {AW{OK}E}

27 Cause devastation with clubs discarded by amateur (5) WREAK  WRE(-c+a)AK

28 Fan crossing line to watch engaging royal consume grass in excess (9) OVERGRAZE {lOVER}{G{R}AZE}

DOWN

1   Cryptic callers' crypts (7) CELLARS*

2   Oddly you've a large cricket ground (4) OVAL {yOuVe}{A}{L}

3   Go back into shop coyly, perhaps for study of personality (10) PSYCHOLOGY {GO<=} in  {SHOP+COYLY}* Extra O in t he fodder

4   A forced kind of despair (6) PRISED {PRISED+A}*=DESPAIR [CA]

5   Small request by German peacekeepers for painting tool (5,3) SPRAY GUN {S}{PRAY}{G}{UN}

6   Drop of olive oil used for Spanish style stew (4) OLIO {Ol..e}{OIL*}

7   Temple spread included pickled crane (10) TABERNACLE {TAB{CRANE*}LE}

8   Gifts back case of peltry with belts (7) STRAPPY {PARTS<=}{Pe..rY}

14 Wildebeests upset by girls' shades (10) SUNGLASSES {GNUS<=}{LASSES}

16 Say O+ve strain (10) OVERCHARGE {OVER}{CHARGE}

18 Ex-Indian cricketer taking kid around to find a Goan delicacy (8) VINDALOO {VIN{LAD<=}OO}

19 Dark had replaced northern cold (7) SHADOWY S(-n+had)HADOWY

20 Latin apple stones, perhaps for tennis player (7) PYRENES [DD] Player or Tournament?

22 Point about English sailor's coat (6) REEFER {RE{E}FER}

24 Bakery item about to make bar millons (4) CAKE {C}{mAKE}

26 Short Indian PM from south state (4) OMAN<=

Reference List

Small = S, English = E, India = I, Good = G, Right = R, No = N, Power = P, Century = C, Clubs = C, Amateur = A, Line = L, Royal = R, Large = L, German = G, Northern = N, About = C