Special Reports
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,…
MS Shanker Azharuddin – From Captaincy to Controversy When a senior police officer recently named three former India cricketers—Shivlal Yadav, Arshad Ayub, and Mohammad Azharuddin—as key culprits behind the sorry state of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), it wasn’t hyperbole. It was a blunt, uncomfortable truth that had long circulated in cricketing circles. In the…
The controversy over the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to conduct a special voter list revision — and the Opposition’s loud protests against it — has prompted me to pen these thoughts. What strikes me as astonishing is the contradiction in the Opposition’s position. On the one hand, the Congress and its allies accuse the EC…
Gary Lineker stands as one of England’s most celebrated footballers—an instinctive striker renowned for his clinical finishing, exemplary sportsmanship, and enduring impact both on and off the pitch. Over a storied 16-year career across several top clubs, Lineker won hearts with his skill, intelligence, and understated charisma, becoming one of the game’s most respected figures….
MS Shanker Mohan Bhupathy, former selector, speaks out: No more experiments, we need results In the wake of the state CID’s recent crackdown on the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), a long-overdue clean-up operation finally seems to be underway. The arrests of three HCA officials, including the sitting President, in connection with the IPL ticketing scam…
MS Shanker In yet another twist to the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s (HCA) continuing saga of controversy, Acting President Sardar Daljit Singh and Joint Secretary Basavaraju find themselves under a cloud. The duo, part of the “leftover” Apex Council after the arrest of three key office-bearers — President, Secretary, and Treasurer — are now accused of…
Dr Sandhyaa Bombay This radiant Saturday, the 9th of this month, we come together to joyfully celebrate the divine birth of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, illuminated by the enchanting glow of the full moon in Shravan. The full moon symbolizes the peak of spiritual energy, and the Shravana Nakshatra—a constellation associated with auspicious beginnings—adds a celestial…
For much of modern history, the United States of America stood as the gold standard of democratic evolution and global leadership. Emerging in the late 18th century from the Philadelphia Convention, the U.S. Constitution became the world’s first written national charter to codify governance through a separation of powers, checks and balances, and the bold…
As a former Director of NIPER Mohali, I have previously raised serious concerns about administrative and academic anomalies within the Institute. These concerns are now under renewed scrutiny following recent recruitments that appear to be marred by irregularities. Dr. Satyendra Kumar Rajput, an alumnus and topper from NIPER Mohali, has filed a writ petition (CWP-20242-2025)…
Ramnath Dhondu Parkar’s cricketing journey is a testament to perseverance, skill, and the quiet dignity of those who thrive largely outside the spotlight. Born on October 31, 1946, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Parkar rose through the ranks of Mumbai cricket to become one of the finest domestic players of his generation—often sharing the crease with…
