Arshad Ayub: From Test Cricketer to Alleged Architect of Corruption MS Shanker (Editor’s Note: Following receipt of a legal notice from former Indian Test cricketer and ex-HCA President Arshad Ayub, this article has been revised. Certain portions have been removed or modified to avoid misinterpretation. A corrigendum has also been issued immediately after receipt of…
MS Shanker In a long overdue move, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has suspended its President Jagan Mohan Rao, Secretary Devraj Ramachandran, and Treasurer Srinivas following their arrest by the Telangana State CID in connection with the now-infamous IPL ticketing scam and other alleged financial irregularities. The emergency decision, reportedly taken by acting president Daljit…
MS Shanker It’s not every day that you see Asaduddin Owaisi and Arnab Goswami on the same page. But when it comes to the sentiment that India must not play cricket with Pakistan—leave alone in a marquee tournament like the Asia Cup—the nation is speaking with one voice, from expected and unexpected quarters alike. Owaisi,…
There was a time when the Indian judiciary was held in awe—an institution that struck down excesses of the executive, defended the rights of citizens, and embodied the conscience of the nation. Today, that reverence is in steep and dangerous decline. And it’s not merely an angry whisper on the street—it’s a roaring discontent felt…
A Forgotten Keeper’s Grief, and a Game in Ruins MS Shanker In my ongoing journey to uncover the root causes of Hyderabad cricket’s freefall—and more importantly, to spotlight voices that offer serious, constructive solutions—I caught up this week with a voice not often heard, but one that certainly deserves to be. Meet Youraj Singh, now…
In a functioning democracy, every political party has the right to contest or boycott an election. But when that boycott is threatened not in protest of injustice but seemingly to shield a legacy of electoral malpractice, it raises serious concerns about intent, integrity, and commitment to the Constitution. That’s exactly what appears to be happening…
So, has Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar betrayed his admirers—or merely overestimated his own importance in the power corridors of Delhi? What began as a courteous resignation citing “health reasons” has spiralled into a political soap opera. Enter Arnab Goswami—the eternal disruptor, nationalist-in-chief, and prime-time cannonball—who blew the lid off with allegations that Dhankhar might be…
The crocodile tears are flowing. Statements are being issued. Hushed tones of sympathy are being spun into “grave concern for democracy.” But let’s not be fooled. The sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar—citing health reasons—has sent the usual suspects into performative overdrive. The same Opposition leaders who mocked, vilified, and tried their best to…
High Stakes, Strategic Choices for NDA With the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, the political theatre in Delhi has swiftly turned to one pressing question: Who’s next? The Vice President of India is not a mere ceremonial figure. As the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, the VP plays a decisive…
Shashi Tharoor’s political journey within the Congress has often resembled that of a gifted but unwelcome guest. Despite his global stature, eloquence, and bureaucratic pedigree, Tharoor continues to face marginalisation within a party that seems increasingly allergic to independent thinking. The latest trigger? His participation in the Modi government’s outreach mission, Operation Sindoor—a global diplomatic…
