The passage of the new National Sports Policy in both Houses of Parliament—amid noisy Opposition protests over the Election Commission’s special voter list revision—has sent shockwaves through India’s sporting establishment. For the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), long accustomed to functioning as an autonomous and untouchable powerhouse, this could mark the biggest…
As a former cricketer, I’ve seen bouncers that rattled helmets, but nothing rattles this country quite like the words “India vs Pakistan.” And here we are again — pads strapped on, gloves tightened, and the scoreboard flashing a diplomatic crisis instead of runs and wickets. The Asia Cup 2025 groups are set: India, Pakistan, UAE,…
I jumped with joy — though I must admit, with some disbelief — as I sat in my living room watching the final moments of the fifth Test. England needed just 35 runs with four wickets in hand. Most would have thought it was a done deal. Even I, a lifelong cricketer, momentarily gave in…
As a former cricketer who has experienced the highs and lows of international cricket, I find it disturbing—if not outright disappointing—to see some veteran journalists and ex-players aiming Gautam Gambhir, India’s newly appointed head coach. Their criticism, often drenched in bias and nostalgia for his predecessors, is not only unfair but also completely tone-deaf to…
I must admit, I was rather provoked into writing this piece for my weekly column after reading Ravi Shastri—former India captain, coach, and one of our better allrounders—name Washington Sundar as his top choice for India’s current allrounder slot. With all due respect to Shastri, I found the choice both surprising and somewhat underwhelming—especially when…
After three riveting Test matches in the much-hyped Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy series, England may have edged ahead 2-1 with a nervy 22-run win at Lord’s, but the larger takeaway is far more heartening—for both sides and for the future of five-day Test cricket. From the outset, this series was expected to test not just skills, but…
By any stretch of cricketing imagination, this wasn’t the kind of theatre Test cricket needed. Day Three of the third Test between India and England had all the ingredients of a classic—except, of course, logic. Or perhaps, a team huddle that didn’t resemble a kindergarten picnic. Let’s start with the Washington Sundar saga. Watching the…
Young captain, fearless squad, and a shot at history By all standards of modern Test cricket, India’s 336-run hammering of England at Edgbaston last week wasn’t just emphatic—it was historic. The victory not only levelled the five-match series 1-1 but also signalled the arrival of a new Indian era led by a youthful yet fearless…
So, MS Dhoni wants to trademark “Mr Cool”. Yes, you read that right. Our man from Ranchi has moved the papers in Kolkata to officially own the tag that millions of cricket fans unofficially stamped on him long ago. As someone who’s shared dressing rooms with hotheads and heartbreakers, I’ll say this upfront—Dhoni has every…
This week, I set out to write about India’s curious knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory—five centuries in a Test and yet, no win in England! But nostalgia got the better of analysis. Especially after remembering the evergreen left-arm spinner, Dileep Doshi. I couldn’t help but slip into memory lane—back to the…
