ACROSS9 Herb tea with spies breaking double agent (9)10 In the morning, milk please (5)11 They chop legs, go berserk arresting — right? (7)12 Nothing about finest American army character? (7)13 Trunk calls finally going through to Romania (5)14 Batter’s strategy: turn hand, deftly clipping one (3-3-3)16 Artist going ahead sans wife (post-retirement party), boarding shortly, departing from Ivory Coast (8,2,5)19 Spray fizzy blue sticky stuff around and around (9)22 Giant beast regularly seen in tourist destinations (5)24 Mug delivered comfort (7)26 Champion bandages strained back to get going (7)27 Almost without question, ultimately primitive (5)28 Talk fondly about politician—nationalist steeped in revolutionary X factor (9)DOWN1 Model clad at the top in extra revolting shirt (6)2 Joey’s mum cooked Goan okra (8)3 “Busy?” “Negative; routine overtime pain” (4,2,4)4 Some think it’s cheap art (6)5 Returning to chaps beaten in love (8)6 Terminal transformation that converts a male into a mate? (4)7 Extremely bored by quiet meal (6)8 A lot of brothels in Kiev city (8)15 Winning title, terrible tsar rejected guidance (10)16 After digestion, meaningless to avoid blasting gas: court judges (8)17 Underworld’s grand rivalry creating scandal (8)18 Admitting shell shock over weirdos (8)20 Rhombic or noodle-shaped boxing headgear (6)21 Charity supporting religious education zones (6)23 Yes, women at dances like your gym body (6)25 After shedding pounds, just ten stone (4) Published - May 28, 2026 11:36 am IST