Special Reports
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…
How the Department of Pharmaceuticals Undermined Accountability at NIPER The unfolding saga at NIPER Mohali offers a disturbing glimpse into how powerful bureaucrats and pliable administrators can bury institutional integrity, stonewall due process, and reward questionable conduct — all while funded by public money. At the heart of the controversy is Mr. Jitender Kumar Chandel,…
MS Shanker With top office-bearers under arrest and Hyderabad cricket administration in shambles, club members demand answers from acting chief Daljit Singh. In what is fast becoming a daily soap opera of administrative chaos and credibility erosion, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) finds itself once again under fire—this time not from investigative agencies or the…
Ghulam Ahmed remains one of the prominent names in the annals of Indian cricket, particularly noted for his contributions during the formative years of India’s Test journey. As a skilled off-spin bowler and a valuable team player, Ahmed’s career helped lay the foundation for future generations of Indian cricketers. Born on March 21, 1922, in…
Some time ago, on a weekend, two young women—now employed at a well-known entertainment company—came to visit my spouse, who had once taught them in their primary school years. These girls came from a backward-class background and had started their education in a non-English-medium school. However, thanks to sheer perseverance and timely support, they eventually…
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…
Dr. Sandhyaa Bombay The keertana Antaryami Alisithini is a profound reflection of the inner dialogue between poet-saint Annamayya and his Antaryami—the indwelling divine presence. Often referred to as the “inner guide” or “inner controller,” this sacred presence resides within all of us, serving as a spiritual compass that quietly illuminates our life’s path. The concept…
MS Shanker The circus at the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) shows no sign of stopping. With its credibility in tatters and governance in chaos, the latest bombshell comes in the form of a searing letter from a club member—a parent, no less—calling out corruption, cover-ups, and cartelisation that are choking the sport. This letter, from…
Girja Shankar Dixit Some places do more than inspire prayer—they evoke a presence. In a country as spiritually rich as India, some temples are not merely places of worship. They are believed to be dwellings of the divine. At these sacred sites, Lord Vishnu is not just remembered or symbolized—he is believed to still…
Clubs, Cronies and Corruption: Anatomy of HCA’s Collapse By MS Shanker As promised, this week’s episode focuses on the root causes behind the tragic, systematic, and largely self-inflicted decline of Hyderabad cricket. At the heart of this rot lie two unholy forces: a cartel of affiliated clubs and a coterie of self-serving former cricketers who,…
