Sports

ceat-beyond-the-scoreboard-varun-aaron-on-his-journey-and-insights-on-crickets-speed-demons

Sat Mar 28 17:22:43 IST 2026

FOR ALL THE RICHES Indian cricket has in terms of talent, there is a unicorn still out there. A young man clocking speeds north of 150km/h, making scouts furiously take notes and fans dream of cartwheeling stumps. Even Jasprit Bumrah, India’s best-ever all-format bowler, doesn’t hit that 150 mark often. Not that he needs to.

There are currently two such unicorns in the Indian setup—Umran Malik from Jammu and Mayank Yadav from Delhi. Both fast, raw and prone to break down. Varun Aaron could write a book on that. And someday, he might. Right now, the former speedster from Jharkhand has found a second wind in his role as commentator and coach. His knowledge of biomechanics and his own experience of lugging around a reluctant body have helped him in this new life.

In episode four of CEAT Beyond The Scoreboard—a podcast series where THE WEEK, in association with CEAT, peels back the curtain on India’s favourite sport—Aaron spoke to Ayaz Memon, consultant, sports, THE WEEK, about a range of topics, including the art and science of fast bowling and how future unicorns can eventually become workhorses.

Part of this is workload management, especially in the case of superstars such as Bumrah. Wrap him in cotton wool, they say. But Aaron said a lot of people don’t understand what workload management really is. “It’s not about doing less or more,” he said. “Let’s imagine workload management as a plateau. The moment you have spikes—bowling too much or too less—is when you have injuries. And that’s happening because there are three formats.... Do you see a sprinter running a 5k in the Olympics? Never. But as a fast bowler, you have to do all three—bowl 20, 10 and four overs a day (depending on the format).”

This prompted Memon to ask if we won’t see many all-formats players in future. “They are, slightly, a dying breed,” said Aaron. “But you will still have them. The best of the best can switch. You’ll probably have specialists for two formats. There’s already a distinction between who plays white ball and who plays red ball.”

Apart from bowling, one of the most talked about aspects of the game is the ball itself—the types, the colour and what that means in the middle. Dukes, Kookaburra and SG are the three major brands used in Test cricket. “Let’s imagine them as three brothers, but one’s a stepbrother,” Aaron said. “The brothers are Dukes and SG, and the stepbrother is Kookaburra. They’re all red balls, but the seam is completely different with the Kookaburra, and so is the hardness.”

In a treat for nerds, he went on to explain in detail what the features of each ball are and how they behave in specific conditions.

He had anecdotes for the casual fans, too. One of them being how, in Australia in 2014, he strayed from the team plan on how to bowl to Steve Smith. “We had a plan to hit him on his pads. I always knew that wasn’t the best plan for me because I was not an inswing bowler. I relied on the ball straightening off the wicket.... So in the last innings, we had set a target of about 170-180 and I came on as first change after Ishant (Sharma) and (Mohammed) Shami. I was like, ‘To hell with the team’s plan’. I had told the analyst the previous night that I’m going to bowl back of length.... Third ball I run in, back of length, my stock ball. It pitches, moves away and he goes for a booming back-foot drive. The ball takes the edge and goes to Virat Kohli. For me it’s a dream unfolding, right? I’ve visualised this a day before and I know I’m going to get him out. [Unfortunately] I hadn’t visualised the end of the dream—Virat dropped the catch.”

A student of legendary Australian pacer Dennis Lillee, Aaron got into fast bowling as a child by watching a programme called Calypso Classics, featuring the West Indian greats. Memon, who has been with the Indian team on a handful of tours to the Caribbean, recalled how certain batters would pull up with a niggle to avoid facing that fearsome pace battery.

He also spoke of how, during those days, India had no fast bowlers except Kapil Dev, and wondered where the surfeit of talent these days had come from. “Lillee’s contribution to Indian fast bowling is very underrated,” said Aaron. “He did more work in India than in Australia, and he brought about a lot of education and structure in the way we trained. That has run off into what you’re seeing now.”

Aaron now hopes to replicate what Lillee did for him as coach and mentor. He has the chance to do so as bowling coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season.

And though he’s not in charge of Malik or Yadav, he did have a word of advice for them and other tearaway quicks. “Always bowl fast. That’s their USP. If I was working with them, I would have them fall in love with the game, because fast bowling is beautiful.”

ceat-beyond-the-scoreboard-wankhede-curator-ramesh-mhamunkar-on-what-goes-into-a-cricket-pitch

Sat Mar 21 17:50:55 IST 2026

In a society often apathetic to farmers, a section of fans, on occasion, comes alive to discuss soil. More specifically, red and black soil. Even in the recent T20 World Cup, which India won, match previews would include details on the type of soil used for the pitch, and how the colour of that soil would impact the match. Black soil is generally slower and helps spin, while red soil helps with bounce and aids batting. A mix of both, God forbid, would be difficult to predict.

At the heart of this conversation is the pitch curator, one of whom—Ramesh Mhamunkar, the chief curator at the Wankhede stadium—was the guest on episode three of the CEAT Beyond The Scoreboard. In this podcast series, THE WEEK, in association with CEAT, peels back the curtain on India’s favourite sport.

In conversation with Ayaz Memon, THE WEEK’s consultant, sports, Mhamunkar spoke about a range of topics, including how to become a curator, criticism that comes with the job and the journey from being seen as a “gardener” to earning the respect of the players.

Laying the pitch is perhaps the least understood and most hidden aspect of the game. Even experts are regularly foxed by how a pitch behaves, let alone casual fans. “In the IPL, I often hear the pitch reports," said Mhamunkar. "They would say the score could reach 240. It would eventually be 180. They come and tap the pitch, maybe scratch the surface with their nails—that tells you nothing. [M.S.] Dhoni, though, was a good reader of the pitch, especially in the shorter formats.”

Mhamunkar also had high praise for Sunil Gavaskar, whom he called the “perfect reader” of a pitch. “He would take a single, get to the other end and study the pitch,” he said.

India recently had a once-in-a-generation run in home Tests, having lost only a couple of matches in over a decade. Much of this was down to the spin-friendly pitches that the Indian curators prepared. Some western experts were miffed with this, but Mhamunkar says home advantage works both ways.

Pitch curation is in many ways a thankless job. For viewers, the ground is only alive when a match is on. For the curator and his team, it is a year-round job, and one that comes into focus mostly when the pitch is “dodgy”. Take, for instance, India’s first match in the World Cup, where the hosts were teetering at 77 for 6 against the USA before captain Suryakumar Yadav rescued the innings. “We had made the pitch so firm that the commentators were saying 200 would be easy,” said Mhamunkar. “Even the coach and captain said it was a good wicket. But then the Indian batters got out as the ball was stopping on the pitch before reaching the bat. They got out playing aerial shots. [The reason was that] the weather had changed quickly. It was cold and windy. The pitch got a bit cooler, which meant the ball was not coming on nicely. The public and the players won’t understand all this.”

Interestingly, in the semifinal at Wankhede—where India defeated England—close to 500 runs were scored.

Mhamunkar understands the frustration of the cricketers, having once been a leg spinner and opening batter himself. He was on the verge of a Ranji selection but could not make it. Cricket, however, was not to be left behind. So, he worked his way into the committee at the Maharashtra Cricket Association, where he served for 10 years, before transitioning into curation. Former Test captain Polly Umrigar was the chief curator at Wankhede at the turn of the century, and it was his energy, even in his 80s, that pulled Mhamunkar towards the art of making pitches.

Now, having been a curator for more than 25 years, he has seen up close how the field has changed in India. “Earlier, the grass had to be cut by hand; by the time you would finish clearing the whole ground, the patch you first cut would have started growing again. Now we have lawn mowers with a setting for a uniform grass height, for instance, 10mm. This is why grounds in India look nice nowadays.”

He could take some credit for that. And also for preparing the pitch on which India won its first World Cup on home soil: India vs Sri Lanka at Wankhede in 2011. For Mhamunkar, there was also a personal bonus—he was the one who had retrieved the ball that Dhoni had launched into the stands to win India the trophy.

ceat-beyond-the-scoreboard-deep-dive-into-the-world-of-umpiring-with-nitin-menon

Sat Mar 14 15:17:26 IST 2026

LATE LAST MONTH, Steve Bucknor admitted that giving Sachin Tendulkar out LBW in the 2003 Brisbane Test was a mistake. The ball from Jason Gillespie was too high, but Bucknor lifted his finger. Tendulkar was shocked but, true to his nature, walked off.

That decision, said the Jamaican umpire, now 79, had hounded him his entire career. More than two decades—that’s how long a decision can follow you as an international umpire. Especially if a superstar is at the receiving end.

Nitin Menon would know. Though not quite of Bucknor’s vintage, the former batter from Indore has had to deal with a few superstars himself. “In that series (India-England Test series, 2020), a very big player wanted to get inside my head, provoke me or dominate me,” said Menon. “But in the earlier Tests, I had made it clear—not by talking to him, but by doing my job—that if he created any nuisance, I would take action as per the law.”

Menon was in conversation with THE WEEK’s consultant, sports, Ayaz Memon, for the second episode of CEAT Beyond The Scoreboard—a podcast series in which THE WEEK, in association with CEAT, peels back the curtain on India’s favourite sport.

The hour-long conversation covered several topics, including how his father (himself an umpire) nudged him into the job, the step-by-step process of becoming elite in the field, his take on technology in the sport and the preparation that goes into every match.

Memon began by asking the simple question: how does one become an umpire? “Every state in India has a panel of umpires, [which] you have to get into first,” said Menon. “They will conduct exams—written and practical… and the threshold is quite high. It is at least 90 per cent [to pass].”

The questions are based on the MCC law book, and there are exams at every level—state, BCCI and ICC. The ultimate level is the elite panel, which Menon has been part of for more than five years.

And at that level, you have to know how to stand your ground. Like the conversation with the superstar Menon mentioned earlier. A moment like that can earn the umpire respect, too. “At the end of that India-England series, which was played during Covid, one big player from the Indian team came up to me and said it was one of the best umpiring [stints] he had seen in Indian conditions.”

But standing your ground also takes a toll on the body. And that is where physical fitness comes in. They might not need the physique of the tall fast bowler steaming in behind them, but the men and women in wide-brimmed hats need to be fit enough to stand on a spot for hours. Try it, it’s hard.

Add to that the three formats, and the strain increases. Asked which format he prefers, Menon had no doubt. “Nothing beats Test cricket,” he said. “It tests the skill of not only the players, but also the umpires. The weather conditions change, pitch conditions change. So, different skill sets are involved. Plus, it tests our consistency. You get appeals throughout the match. In a T20 game, I might not even get an appeal because it’s just thrashing. We might focus more on wides and no balls. Nowadays, batters play all sorts of funny shots and move around the crease a lot.”

There are challenges on the field, of course, but some come from the heavens, too. For all the progress in technology, cricket is still at the mercy of the weather, which brings its own unique challenges. Asked about how to deal with changing conditions, and about fan outrage at the stoppage of play due to bad light or rain, Menon said, “For us, the safety of the player is paramount. Sometimes it doesn’t go down well with the viewers or the broadcast [team], but it’s about striking a balance.”

This prompted Memon to ask about the equipment umpires use, especially the light meter. “They are not standardised. Those readings are applicable for only that Test match,” said Menon. “For example, Chennai is a closed stadium, so we get a [particular] reading. But if it’s a match in Wellington, which is an open ground, we might get more light there.”

Another prickly topic with some umpires is the introduction of the decision review system. The once unquestioned air of authority has now vanished; players can challenge the call, and the umpire’s mistakes are being shown live to millions across the world.

Menon, though, is for it. “I personally feel DRS is very good for the game. One wrong decision from us can be very damaging to the game. We have the best technology available, so why not use it? I don’t agree with the [notion] that the umpire’s role is being diminished because, ultimately, the decision has to be given first [for it to be reviewed].”

Technology also means that the authorities have clear data on who is a good umpire. Every decision an umpire makes, right or wrong, is marked against their name and tracked; at the end of the season, you know who has been great or poor with their calls.

DRS properly came into effect in 2009, months after Bucknor retired.

a-world-cup-masterclass-inside-indias-ruthless-pursuit-of-white-ball-glory

Sat Mar 14 18:17:41 IST 2026

About 30 minutes into the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, I felt a sense of déjà vu. Put in to bat on a good surface, India’s opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma raced to 92 in the powerplay.

In hindsight, perhaps the game was done at that stage. New Zealand had started well, conceding only 12 in the first two overs, but their tactics and execution thereafter were hit out of the ground. Their mental block worsened with every ball.

The moment took me back 23 years, to another World Cup final where India were at the receiving end. Against the mighty Australia under Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly won the toss and chose to bowl, just like Mitchell Santner did in Ahmedabad. The rest, as they say, was history.

If Ponting had combined with Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn to bat India out of the ODI game at the Wanderers, it was Samson, Sharma and Ishan Kishan who went on the rampage against the Kiwis. That 2003 final remains a nightmare for Indian fans. At the time, not many people would have expected India to do the same to an opposition, that, too, in a World Cup final.

India’s blueprint in T20I cricket in the past two years has been built around two frequently used terms—‘fearless’ and ‘intent’. Unfortunately, few teams walk the talk when it comes to high-pressure games. That is where Suryakumar Yadav’s men shone.

Once they realised that New Zealand were shaky, they went in for the kill. Except for three overs towards the end where New Zealand got quick wickets, India were ruthless throughout. Shivam Dube’s assault in the 20th over—24 runs—was the perfect finish.

Much like the 2003 final, this game was virtually decided at the halfway mark. Chasing 256 in a T20 World Cup final is as improbable as chasing 360 was in an ODI World Cup final two decades ago. Which begs the question: Have India started to emulate the ruthless Australian sides of the 2000s?

It would be unfair to compare, given that the Australians were unstoppable across Tests and ODIs. However, if we focus on just the white-ball formats, and T20Is in particular, there is a striking similarity.

Since the end of the 2022 T20 World Cup, India have won 57 of 77 T20Is, including 17 series/tournament wins out of 19. One bilateral series was drawn. That India have lost only 13 games in this period is mind-boggling, given the unpredictability of T20Is, where upsets are more frequent compared with the longer formats.

Take only the period after the 2024 T20 World Cup, and India’s dominance is magnified. Since then, India have won all nine assignments—31 wins of 41 matches and only six losses (before the 2026 World Cup). This was the first time that any team had dominated the volatile format so much.

If Australia set the bar for dominance in Tests and ODIs, India have unlocked a new benchmark for T20Is. ‘Batters win you matches, bowlers win you tournaments’ is one of cricket’s golden lines, but India broke that narrative in this World Cup. Their bowling was mostly about Jasprit Bumrah, with occasional support from Hardik Pandya, but the batting saw everyone step up at some stage.

Of the 780 sixes hit in this 20-team tournament, India hit 106, or 13.58 per cent. It was also the first time any team hit 100-plus sixes in a T20I tournament. Since the end of the 2024 T20 World Cup, India have hit the most sixes—473—from 50 matches. They also had the best team strike rate—157.

Notably, even with such all-out aggression, Indian batters have scored eight centuries and 43 fifties in this period, which means that, on an average, there was one individual 50-plus score a game. To marry unreal aggression with top-notch consistency has been an art that only India have mastered in this format.

In T20I history, teams have posted more than 250 in an innings 30 times. India have done it seven times, all in the 2024-26 cycle. It highlights India’s batting muscle on flat pitches.

And then there is Bumrah. In 2024 and 2026, he was one of the most economical bowlers in the World Cup, apart from being among the top wicket-takers. Varun Chakravarthy might have had an underwhelming 2026 campaign, but on tricky pitches, he becomes a handful. As do Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.

You could argue that the best chance to beat India is on pitches that are not flat. However, in those conditions, the variety in their bowling still gives them the advantage.

Currently, there is a gulf between India and the rest in T20Is. And India’s ODI team isn’t that far behind. Their bilateral series records have been middling, but a runners-up finish in the 2023 ODI World Cup followed by the 2025 Champions Trophy title shows an upward trend. India have now won three ICC titles in a row across the two white-ball formats.

No team in history has held all three white-ball trophies at the same time. The Australians came close but missed out on the 2010 T20 World Cup, as did M.S. Dhoni’s Indian side, which faltered in the 2014 T20 World Cup. India’s challenge will be to translate their T20 mastery into the ODI format.

The 2027 ODI World Cup will be a challenge, more so because of African conditions. It will be the final piece of the puzzle for India in its quest for supremacy. And given that this team just broke a plethora of records with their latest title win, it would take a brave person to bet against them next year.

what-makes-a-great-commentator-jatin-sapru-on-the-art-of-cricket-commentary

Sat Mar 07 17:13:54 IST 2026

‘THE BOWLER’S HOLDING, the batsman’s Willey.’

Brian Johnston has denied ever saying this on commentary, but the boyish humour of the “call” has made it do the rounds of the cricket world for years. That’s the power of a memorable quote.

A more sarcastic one, which did happen, was Richie Benaud quipping, “Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just 98 runs short of his century.”

In more contemporary times, the most famous call is perhaps Ian Bishop bellowing, “Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name!” as the huge Barbadian tonked Ben Stokes for four sixes to seal a T20 World Cup win for the West Indies in 2016. A few World Cups down the line, Jatin Sapru yelled, ‘Long off, long off, long off!’ as Suryakumar Yadav danced along the boundary line, pouching a catch that won India the title in 2024.

If batting and bowling are art forms, so, too, is broadcasting. And Sapru is an artist in his prime. In conversation with THE WEEK’s consultant, sports, Ayaz Memon, who himself has dipped in and out of the commentary booth, Sapru took viewers behind the scenes of what a broadcaster actually does.

This was episode 1 of CEAT Beyond The Scoreboard, a podcast series where CEAT, in association with THE WEEK, peels back the curtain on India’s favourite sport. “What you see on the camera and what we say is just the final product, but it’s a beautiful complicated machinery that is engineered by some of the best in the business,” said Sapru. “A lot hinges on us because eventually the experience of the broadcast, all that hard work, could go in vain if we’re uttering absolute nonsense on the mic.”

The hour-long conversation covered a lot of ground, touching on topics such as Sapru’s preparation for a tournament, the logistics inside the booth, the changing nature of commentary and how he navigates his relationships with current players, retired experts and even fans.

It began by him answering Memon’s query on how to get into the field. “The first thing is that there is no natural [process], okay, give this interview and you’re a commentator. It is a natural progression in the field. So, this is what I say: ‘Are you ready to give it eight, 10 years where sometimes the salary will be a pittance and you may not crack it? If you’re willing to do that, come join.”

An engineering dropout who stumbled into this world by winning a reality show, Sapru knows the grind. He was a reporter in the early years, doing two-minute interviews on a good day, before slowly transitioning into the booth.

Once there, he found his feet. And his calling as a storyteller. “Our job does not start and finish with a game,” he said. “It continues on. Are we in touch with the players [off the field, during off-season]? There have been times when there is a player who is injured and I might just message him to check on the injury and then say, ‘How are you staying in the zone? Are you watching a game and visualising? Do you have your kit bag in your room? Are you getting up at night, doubting yourself?’ These are the things that eventually transform into a value add. Everyone can call a cover drive or a pull shot, but the making of it, the making of that moment, is what we need to try our best to get to.”

Probed further on the technical aspects of the job, Sapru launched into an explanation that makes for essential viewing, especially for a hardcore fan. This included the production control room, the role of directors and producers, the interplay between those in the booth, including the statistician, and how all of these different elements come together like a symphony to inform and entertain the fans.

An interesting point he made was about the role of sponsors. “Cricket is not a cheap sport to produce,” he said. “Broadcasters pay a lot of money for it. And it’s subsidised for the viewers because there is advertising revenue. So, sometimes people say, ‘Oh, you cut to an ad too quickly.’ Yeah, because it’s a very expensive sport and we’ve got to pay that money back.”

This is reflective of the pace at which the sport has grown, especially in the subcontinent. And the same goes for broadcasting. Memon talked about how he grew up listening to English commentary on pocket transistor radios in the 1960s and how, today, for the IPL, there are commentary feeds in several regional languages, including the likes of Bhojpuri. “Regional is such a joy,” said Sapru. “Because, from a viewer’s point of view, why should they be restricted? It’s their game. And [it’s about being] able to convey that game to them in their own style, which English or Hindi [cannot do]. Like in Haryanvi, they say, ‘Bhai, lath gaad diya! (he’s left his mark!)’, or in Punjabi, [the commentator says] ‘Oh, marta chakka, ground te baar! (he’s hit a six out of the ground!). That’s how people are talking at home. Broadcast is not just for the elite or people who’ve played the game. It’s for those who don’t have access to it. You have got to serve them.”

access-to-technology-has-made-chess-a-global-sport-viswanathan-anand

Sat Jan 31 16:18:10 IST 2026

Interview/ Viswanathan Anand, five-time world champion

In the world of chess, Viswanathan Anand is a king—crowned five times, hailed even today. It has been an incredible journey, from the sun-drenched streets of Chennai to the global stage.

Anand, 56, is still striding across the 64 squares with intent. The brilliant second-place finish at the recent Tata Steel India Rapid in Kolkata was a testimony to his undying passion for the game. His new book Lightning Kid: 64 Winning Lessons from the Boy Who Became Five-Time World Chess Champion, with Susan Ninan (published by Hachette India), has a lesson for each square on the board. It is an adaptation of their 2019 title Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion’s Life.

The original ‘Lightning Kid’, who shocked the world by playing at a pace most couldn’t even think of then, joined THE WEEK for a chat about the book, the influence of AI and social media on young chess players, about D. Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa and others, his role as FIDE deputy president, and more. Edited excerpts:

Q/ You have written several books on chess for adults, but Lightning Kid is for youngsters. Tell us about it.

It’s the same story as Mind Master, but we wrote it for a younger audience. It’s not like I have a solution for something, but it will be nice for them to know what I went through. Each can learn their own lesson. That was the idea of the book, also to be a little bit more light-hearted.

Q/ Was it difficult for you to adapt this book for the younger generation?

Not at all. I have been lucky over the last 14 years to have my son (Akhil) growing up. It gives you a little extra perspective. Being a father is a life-changing experience. I am not claiming universal expertise, but it took me back to my own childhood and what I learnt then. What I would like them to take away from this book is that whatever you are doing is important. If you succeed, good for you. But if you fail, or it doesn’t work, and you feel like everything is coming to an end, you should care about the things you do. You should do it with intensity and passion, and in six months, you will feel better.

Q/ You wrote about how your openings in chess were drawn from books such as Chess Openings: Theory and Practice and later, Chess Fundamentals. Now, chess engines give you millions of opening options. How much is too much, especially for youngsters?

I would put it this way. Every generation feels there is too much information in chess. Nowadays, you can learn very fast and improve very fast. You have a personalised coach on your laptop, and you can ask a lot of questions. The problem, of course, is that everybody does it, and then it’s an arms race.

It’s necessary to understand; the correct answer is given to everyone now. But how to be different from others? By understanding the answer, understanding the details, why that answer was given, and how it applies to other situations.

Access to technology is what allows chess to become a global sport. Wherever you are born, you have a fair chance. At the same time, this doesn’t give you an advantage. It’s a tool, and you have to learn how to use it effectively.

Q/ What would you tell the young chess players about social media? It wasn’t there when you were growing up.

With social media, every person has the tool to let everyone know what they think of any subject. My parents once told me, ‘There are people who aren’t necessarily nice; there are people who aren’t necessarily going to play by our rules; who aren’t necessarily going to play fair. You just have to learn to deal with it’.

You have to learn which opinions to ignore, which are useful, which feedback is constructive. You also need to consider how people say things, how accurate they are, and how they say it without bias. You have to learn the skill of spotting these things.

Also, consider the effect it has on you. As I narrate in the book, what other people said hurt me until I understood how to put it in the right perspective. If I want to concentrate on a tournament, for some time before and after, I do not go online at all. It is important to be focused and not to let people upset you. I think people will be able to take it and apply it on the scale needed today.

Q/ You recently said that AI is now the ‘coach’s coach’, and advised children not to rely solely on ‘readymade’ AI answers. How has your own routine evolved compared with the 80s and 90s?

You cannot compare how we worked in the 80s to now. But again, we have evolved slowly over the years. I focus on understanding, not information; not the right answers or knowing what the right move is, but understanding why it is so, so that even if I forget, I can reconstruct.

Q/ You say in the book that chess has become more of a spectator sport. Is there anything about this ‘celebrity’ version of chess that worries you? Does it add any pressure on the players?

No, it has become easier to present the game. We have more technology and more graphics. Suddenly, it has demystified the game because more people are able to enjoy it, even casual observers.

Do you want your sport to be played privately, hidden in a dark room? I mean, you just have to adjust.

Q/ Chess is a mind game, but what about the physical strain?

When you put in four or five hours of thinking, you are definitely going to be tired. I think this is one area where physical exertion has increased over the years. Nowadays, players play many more games across various time controls. Plus, a lot of time is spent working with computers, and so on.

Earlier generations would generally play a few games of tennis or some other similar sport. Nowadays, I think all players go to a gym. Combating fatigue and tension is very important in chess.

Q/ What are your thoughts on the Total Chess World Championship, which combines Fast Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats?

It’s an innovative idea. We (FIDE) are going to try it out this year, and we are very excited to partner with the Norwegian chess federation. We want to evolve classical chess into a faster version, and we are going to see how it works. If it grows the game, then that’s mission accomplished.

Q/ We are looking at a potential World Championship match in Chennai this year between two of your protégés—D. Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa. How does it feel? Who would you put your money on?

(Smiles) You are taking a one-versus-seven bet! I believe Prag (Praggnanandhaa) is quite determined. And if it happens, I don’t even know what they will go through! They grew up together in the same neighbourhood; they studied in the same school. It’s going to be such an intense match. I don’t have any predictions. I am thinking more of Prag’s odds of getting there than what happens next. Ask me once it happens.

Q/ For a ‘semi-retired’ player, you are still sharp, as we saw at the Tata Steel India Rapid in Kolkata. How do you keep the fire in you alive?

I knew the event was coming, and, in a way, accepting it gave me motivation. Also, three tournaments came one after another. So, the Jerusalem Masters was kind of a slow start. I enjoyed the Global Chess League a lot. When I came to Kolkata, I was ready. So, I am going to try to play more this year as well. I was very happy with my rapid performance, and I think it is something to build on.

Q/ 50 years down the line, how do you think the world will remember you—as the winner of five world titles or as the ‘Lightning Kid’ who inspired a generation?

I think both! Why should I choose? (Laughs) I don’t think about my legacy a lot. One of the things I understand, and hopefully the book has made it clear, is that you have to live in the moment. I am excited about the time I spend at home with my family and the time I get to catch up with friends. These are the benefits of a lighter schedule. You have to enjoy life because it goes by very fast.

from-underdogs-to-champions-decoding-the-rise-of-indian-womens-cricket

Sat Nov 08 12:26:46 IST 2025

These girls have really set the platform for the upcoming generations in India,” said Mithali Raj, her voice unsteady. “They’ve opened up channels for women’s cricket, and they should be really proud of themselves. I have seen the changes the girls have made.”

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Raj said this after the Indian women tasted gold for the first time on November 2, downing a resilient South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Instead, she said this as captain of the cricket team that had just lost the 2017 final to England by nine runs. That was India’s second defeat in a World Cup final, the first being in 2005, in Raj’s first year as captain.

More than eight years later, Raj watched on, this time not with bat in hand, but rather a mic. Sitting beside her long-time teammate Jhulan Goswami, she saw live why they say third time’s the charm.

For a brief moment, the trophy felt like it belonged to all of them, from Shantha Rangaswamy and Diana Edulji to Anjum Chopra, Raj and Goswami, to the young Sree Charani, who made her India debut only months ago. It was a win for the ages, across the ages and the final chapter in a story that began years ago.

Till 2006, the women’s game in India ran more on will than money. The Women’s Cricket Association of India, which ran the sport for 33 years, merged into the BCCI that year. But the BCCI of then was no behemoth, and the rise was slow. From after the 2005 final to the 2017 final, India won 76 of 134 ODIs, a win rate of 56.72 per cent, marginally better than the 52.6 per cent before.

But, importantly, the sport gained structure and visibility. There were more domestic tournaments, more players got contracts and international exposure became routine. By 2017, India were not underdogs; they were contenders.

The World Cup that year was the perfect stage: major venues hosted matches, Lord’s staged the final, the prize money jumped to nearly ten times the 2013 purse, and, for the first time, every player was a full-time professional on a central contract. It was also the most widely televised women’s World Cup, and living rooms across India tuned in.

Raj’s words after the final felt less like consolation and more like a sign of what could follow. That Lord’s final became the launchpad.

Then on, investment deepened. There was better travel, access to top facilities and more international cricket. But the results did not come overnight. The team struggled for consistency amid transition. Some of the seniors were nearing the end, coaches didn’t have long stints and the lack of tactical continuity stalled progress despite a talented core. From the 2017 World Cup to the 2022 one, which included the Covid-19 pandemic, India won only 22 of 47 ODIs.

Raj’s retirement following the 2022 World Cup—where India failed to make the knockouts—triggered a major rebuild under Harmanpreet Kaur. And there on, the women went on their strongest run in the format. Including the World Cup final, they won 30 of 47 matches, a 63.8 per cent success rate.

A switch had flipped. Since the last World Cup, India has hit 138 sixes in ODIs, the most by any side. South Africa followed with 118, Australia with 109. The intent was clear. Smriti Mandhana led the way with 42 sixes and more than 2,500 runs at a strike rate of 99. Richa Ghosh added 28 sixes, 12 of them—the most by anyone—in this World Cup. Yet, this wasn’t just about power. India also led the charts for fours, showing how their game had found a balance between precision and aggression.

The Women’s Premier League had had its impact. Launched in 2023, it changed the rhythm of the sport. For the first time, Indian women got the same intensity, crowd noise and global competition that shaped their male counterparts.

Kaur’s first major title as captain came with the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season. “Now I know what it means to win a trophy,” she had said. Two years later, that knowledge showed.

The league gave opportunity to a breed of fearless cricketers. When opener Pratika Rawal was injured before the knockouts, Shafali Verma, who hadn’t played an ODI for a year, stepped up with the innings of her life in the final. The WPL had already toughened them all. Mandhana, Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues had learnt to stay composed when the lights were the brightest, and also keep younger teammates calm under pressure.

The other change in 2023 was the entry of Amol Muzumdar as coach. A former domestic batter with a sharp eye for detail, Mazumdar took over when India needed more than motivation—they needed a method.

He brought a measured style to the dressing room. Training sessions were built around clarity of roles and data-backed planning, but his biggest impact was in maintaining emotional balance. Players say he rarely raised his voice; he simply reminded them that composure wins as many matches as aggression.

Under him, the old weakness—lack of depth—was finally gone. In 2017, India had been 191 for three in the final before collapsing. By 2025, the story had changed. Ghosh gave finishing muscle down the order. Yastika Bhatia’s injury was a blow, but the bench held strong. Rodrigues provided calm, Deepti Sharma consistency, and Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana the all-round stability champion sides need.

Three of India’s highest ODI totals without an individual century came in this very tournament—clear proof of how collective the batting had become.

Australia remained the toughest assignment, but the contests grew tighter over the past few years. Remember, India had beaten them earlier in the year in a bilateral game, and when they did so again in the semifinal, it seemed like continued progress rather than a bolt from the blue. The final was the fairytale ending.

More than numbers, this win is about legitimacy. For years, the women’s game lived in the shadow of the men’s. The trophy changes everything. Girls who once borrowed their brothers’ bats now have icons with national contracts and endorsements. Television ratings have climbed, and crowds now chant for Mandhana, Kaur and Ghosh like they do for Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma.

If 2017 was a flicker, 2025 is a steady flame.

The WPL will grow, the brand will expand, and young girls from smaller towns will find clearer paths to the top. The challenge will be to sustain this success and to ensure that every district ground and training camp shares a piece of this momentum. The past decade has shown that the structure, support and self-belief are already in place.

The next step is simple—win more. As Kaur said in the post-match presentation after the final, “We wanted to break this barrier; our plan [now] is to make this a habit.”

ceat-cricket-awards-2025-a-night-of-lifetime-achievements-indias-t20-glory-and-candid-conversations

Sat Oct 11 12:08:54 IST 2025

MUMBAI

BRIAN LARA and B.S. Chandrasekhar have little in common, apart from being unorthodox craftsmen who at times single-handedly lifted a sagging team to victory.

But on October 7, at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai, their names did belong together—both were given the lifetime achievement award. But while there was a note of gratitude in the way Chandrasekhar was honoured—Sunil Gavaskar called him India’s original match-winner and played an audio clip of him delivering the news of the award to Chandrasekhar, who couldn’t be there—there was a tinge of longing with Lara’s honour. If India had unearthed many more match winners to follow in Chandrasekhar’s footsteps, the West Indies were still looking to the Lara years as the last time they had a truly competitive Test team.

In July, Australia had bundled out the West Indies for 27 in Jamaica, following which past greats including Lara, Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd were brought together for an emergency meeting to assess the way forward.

About three months later, the West Indies crumbled once again, losing to India in Ahmedabad by an innings and 140 runs. The loss reignited the debate about the fall of West Indies cricket, and Lara, who spoke to THE WEEK on the sidelines of the event, shed some light on what the emergency meeting had entailed. “The aberration of scoring 27, nobody wants to do that, but that was not the [only] issue…. There’s also an issue, of course, with franchise cricket and the way they pull some of the players away… There’s no pointing fingers at anybody, it’s just that we’ve [all] got to come together, and truly, if you have West Indies cricket at heart, you will find a way to move forward.” The West Indies take on India in the second Test on October 10 in Delhi, but it could be more of the same for a little while.

Speaking of India, a big part of the night went in celebrating the Indian team, especially in the shorter formats.

While Sanju Samson won the men’s T20I batter of the year, compatriot Varun Chakravarthy was named T20I bowler of the year. Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, both away on World Cup duty, were given the women’s international batter and bowler awards, while Shreyas Iyer got a special memento for being the Indian with the most runs in the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

In an interaction on stage, Iyer talked about his past troubles with the short ball and how he overcame it, while Samson touched on his moving positions in the batting line-up, saying that he respected the Indian jersey too much to turn down any request made of him. He even joked that he could bat at No. 9 or bowl some left-arm spin if needed.

Samson also pointed to Rohit Sharma in the audience to say that it was the former captain who set up the formula that ended India’s 13-year ICC trophy drought—all the team had to do now was to continue doing the same things.

Rohit himself got a special memento for winning the Champions Trophy as captain, and in his speech, he noted that the current success was the result of a years-long process. “We had come so close to winning that [ICC] trophy many times, but we couldn’t get over the line. And that is where everyone decided that we need to do something different. It cannot be done by one or two people; everyone has to buy into that thought. We just carried the momentum from 2023 (ODI World Cup), even though that one game (the final) went against us. I don’t think we did many things wrong [there]. A lot of the players changed their game a little bit, did slightly uncomfortable things to make sure that the team looks good.”

Look good it did, and perhaps in the T20 format, it looks even better now as India get ready to defend their World Cup title early next year.

LIST OF WINNERS

* Lifetime achievement award Brian Lara

* Lifetime achievement award B.S. Chandrasekhar

* Men’s international cricketer Joe Root

* Exemplary leadership award Temba Bavuma

* Men’s Test batter Harry Brook

* Men’s Test bowler Prabath Jayasuriya

* Men’s ODI batter Kane Williamson

* Men’s ODI bowler Matt Henry

* Men’s T20I batter Sanju Samson

* Men’s T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy

* Women’s international batter Smriti Mandhana

* Women’s international bowler Deepti Sharma

* Domestic cricketer Harsh Dubey

* Emerging young player Angkrish Raghuvanshi

* Memento for winning Champions Trophy as captain Rohit Sharma

* Memento for most runs by an Indian in Champions Trophy 2025 Shreyas Iyer

end-of-the-gentlemans-game-why-cricket-pitch-is-inherently-political

Sat Oct 04 17:25:58 IST 2025

You’re just amazed; something that was started on green turf at the site of an English church and, you know, polite applause and, ‘Well played, good fellow,’ becomes this screaming religious ceremony.” That is Stephen Fry, actor and former president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (which owns Lord’s), on how the game metamorphosed once it was truly taken up by the masses in the Indian subcontinent.

This transformation was evident as far back as 1987, when world champions India hosted the first Cricket World Cup outside England. If English cricket stadiums had cathedral-like atmospheres, India brought in the carnival. How the game has evolved since then may have many ‘gentlemen’ rolling in their graves, but the change is irreversible and unstoppable.

For instance, the ‘Gentlemen vs Players’ matches, which were an early feature of English cricket, are now unimaginable. The first was in 1806. ‘Gentlemen’ were amateurs, often from the upper class; ‘Players’ were professionals from the working class, who made a living through cricket. The last such match took place in 1962, as the MCC, then the de facto governing body of cricket (its president was automatically the ICC president till 1989), abolished the distinction between amateurs and professionals in 1963, after decades of controversy.

To this day, cricket is seen in England as posh; football is the obsession of the working class. This inevitably led to declining attendances at matches, despite the occasional highs of the Ashes (driven by emotions and a healthy dollop of drama). The general indifference to cricket in England led to the introduction of T20 cricket. When T20 was first pitched to the heads of English cricket—“elderly white males, who loved their traditional cricket and did not particularly like change”—they realised the need to adapt in order to survive, voting 11-7 in favour.

T20 only accelerated cricket’s democratisation, which had been seeded by India’s World Cup win in 1983 and the subsequent growth of cricket in the Indian subcontinent. With India’s triumph at the inaugural T20 World Cup and the success of the Indian Premier League, “the gentleman’s game” has evolved into something else. It is now driven by the masses. Drama is vital; entertainment is key.

But, what about the spirit of the game? The word gentleman may be non-inclusive snobbery frozen in language, yet the concept of gentlemanly conduct tied to cricket’s spirit has merits. Honour, fair play and respect can guide youth, but once individuals find their own values through lived experiences, it is unfair to impose the Victorian ideal of gentlemanly behaviour upon them.

Indian cricket found a new identity at Lord’s in 2002, with Sourav Ganguly’s shirt-brandishing celebration. It defined a generation and arguably fuelled the sport’s growth. M.S. Dhoni may have looked calm, but his decisions revealed aggression. Virat Kohli’s firebrand leadership, combined with political change, created the playbook for new India—we obey the law, but play hard and express ourselves. There is no urge to hold on to a white man’s worldview.

This is the context in which the Asia Cup drama should be considered. Predictably, it led to calls to keep politics away from sport. But sport is inherently political. The ancient Greek Olympics were showcases; Roman gladiatorial games were tools to distract and control the masses. In the 20th century, sport continued to be a go-to strategy for autocrats. But, it also evolved into an avenue for protests, like the ‘Black Power Salute’ by American track-and-field athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at Mexico 1968. South Africa’s ban from international cricket until the end of apartheid further demonstrated how sport could be used to enforce accountability. So, saying “keep politics out of sport” is in itself a political stance—it can be read as “ignore injustices or social and political dynamics”. Sport does not exist outside society, it is society in motion.

Within this reality, sportsman spirit does not vanish. Refusing handshakes with an opponent from a hostile country is only a breach of ceremony and has no bearing on fairness. Yet, perhaps boycotting such matches would have been cleaner.

But, that is easier said that done. Refusing to play risks handing trophies to Pakistan. Second, and more importantly, any boycotting of matches or tournaments by India could have an impact on the bid to host the 2036 Olympics. The Olympic committee’s evaluation of bids is highly likely to be prone to western biases and therefore the taint of a boycott may be too much to overcome. Refusing to shake hands or deciding to not take the trophy from Pakistan’s interior minister (who is also the Asian Cricket Council president) may be easier to explain, especially as there was provocation from the other side, too.

Most importantly, the team’s decisions have clearly been influenced by the mood at home. Being civil to Pakistanis would not have been acceptable to many Indians. This meant that being seen as wanting to stay away from Pakistanis was perhaps the best option left before Team India.

Whether this approach persists will be evident soon—when India plays Pakistan at the ongoing Women’s World Cup. Traditionally, women’s cricket has fewer viewers and those who tune in are likely to care more about play than political messaging. So, if this tournament is also overshadowed by politics, it would be a fair indication that those hostile to India will be kept at a distance, even on the field of play.

india-will-be-favourites-for-next-five-olympiads-r-praggnanandhaa

Sun Aug 24 11:14:09 IST 2025

Is age a factor in professional chess? What is the ideal age to be an elite chess player? THE WEEK asked Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa a day ahead of his 20th birthday. The World number 4 said he feels it could be different for each individual. While Viswanathan Anand became a world champion in his 30s, Magnus Carlsen is already showing a lack of motivation at 34, he said. The packed schedule is draining even for the younger generation, including himself, the Arjuna winner noted. Praggnanandhaa was unapologetically direct in stating he found the lights, music and bravado of Esports unpleasant. Yet, he has no doubt that he will prepare for it and come back stronger next time, as his contemporaries, including friends D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin, are watching. They motivate each other to perform better, and Praggnanandhaa has no intention of letting them down. A middling 2024 had been eclipsed by a much better 2025, and the prodigy from Chennai is on course for a berth at the Candidates tournament if he keeps his form. In an interview with THE WEEK, Praggnanandhaa spoke about the age factor in chess, getting into Esports and freestyle (where the pieces on the back row are randomly placed, but with a few rules), and what one ability he would like to take from his compatriots. Excerpts:

Did you speak to Divya Deshmukh after she won the FIDE Women’s World Cup? How do you feel about Indian women stepping up their game?

I haven’t spoken to her yet, but it’s amazing to see how women’s chess in India is also growing. A lot of good results have been coming our way.

Do you think India could be the most dominant force in chess in the next decade? Which nation would be the biggest challenge?

As it’s more of an individual sport, there will always be some strong players from different countries. But in events like the Olympiad in recent times, you can see that we have been really good. I think we will be favourites for the next five Olympiads, at least. We have more and more people coming to the top.

Walk us through a day in your life...

There are two types of days: those during tournaments and those when I am at home. During tournaments, I usually get up, have my breakfast, and start my preparations by training for the game. Then I catch a bit of a nap before I have lunch ahead of the game. And when I'm at home, it's a bit different. Also, it depends on what I am doing at home. If there is a training camp, then it's more of intense training. But if I have hit the rest mode, it's not so intense, but there will still be chess. I'll still be looking at some games or checking out something about chess.

Do you follow a specific mind-and-body training regimen to stay fit? What methods do you use to remain calm in high-pressure situations?

There is no particular way to train in those moments. I think you just have to give your best. You just have to be present in the moment, not really worry about the result. Just do what is required at that moment. And I think that's how it works.

Do you think age is really a factor in chess? What is the ideal age to be a top player?

Usually, people peak in their late 20s, but it could be different for each individual. Anand Sir won the World Championship in his 30s, and Magnus Carlsen is already not so motivated in his early 30s. Compared to earlier times, we are just playing too many tournaments nowadays. So it’s much easier to burn out early. I think it’s difficult for this generation to play till their 40s because we’re playing non-stop. Young players have more energy, but the older ones have experience. We’re all top players, so I don’t think [age] really matters so much.

How challenging is freestyle compared with the classical format?

(In classical Chess, the pieces on the back row always start in the same, standardized position. This means players need to study and memorization of opening moves and variations. In Freestyle/ Fischer Random Chess, all pieces apart from the pawns are placed in one of 960 possible random positions. This eliminates the reliance on memorized openings and forces players to think creatively and strategically.)

I’m not sure if it can overtake classical chess in future. The classical game will still be around, perhaps with a reduced time control or something along those lines. But for me, freestyle is quite enjoyable. I haven’t had a great result in it, but I still enjoy the format. It’s fun. There is no opening part (the random arrangement of pieces means that traditional opening plays are irrelevant). [Opening preparation] is something players do, but don’t enjoy. So [for that reason], I think all the top players enjoy freestyle. We’ll see how it is in future. For me, it’s not the priority right now; classical is still the main focus.

You recently competed in the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour. How was the experience of playing Freestyle chess against the world’s best? How challenging was it compared to the traditional format?

I'm not sure if it will overtake Classical chess. I think Classical chess will still be around. For me, Freestyle is very enjoyable. But it is not a priority right now. For me, classical is still the main focus. I haven't had a great result in Freestyle, but I still enjoy the format. It's fun playing it. I think all the top players enjoy it. So we'll see how it evolves in the future.

But do you think competition will eventually intensify, with players preparing for the 960 possible starting positions in Fischer Random Chess? To what extent do you think that is humanly possible? How do you see Freestyle chess evolving in the coming years?

You can look at all 960 positions, but you'll never be able to remember everything. And even if you do remember, you can barely remember the first move. But also, it can get so confusing because every position looks similar, but there will be some small differences here and there—all these things you just can't remember. What you can remember are some ideas from here and there, and that can help when you actually play. And I think that's the difference. While it's not easy to remember 960 positions, if you're just playing one of those regularly and you have good opening preparation, then that's the difference between classical and Freestyle. There is no preparation that can help you [when it comes to the format].

Day two of the Las Vegas Freestyle event lasted over 10 hours, with Fabiano Caruana defeating you in the Armageddon in the quarter-finals. How significant a role does stamina play in such scenarios? Were you fatigued? Do you think the event could have been better organised to avoid such long playing hours?

Ten hours, of course, was exhausting for both of us. And it was an important match. But that's what the format was, and we kept playing. I think they are already talking about changing the format. A game lasting 10 hours is not good for just the players, but also for spectators and everybody else involved. I don't think it's a good thing, and there will be changes.

Gukesh withdrew from the event citing exhaustion. Do you think the global tournament schedule is too packed?

As world champion, I think it does have mileage to just take some breaks in between and come back. But for me, I have to take the Candidates into account and also play for the FIDE Circuit spot (a ranking system based on tournaments throughout the year; the top player will qualify for the Candidates). So I have to keep playing a lot. I also don’t want to miss out on tournaments because I do enjoy playing. Though it’s tiring, I think I can still keep going. I’m trying to manage rest and preparing [as well]. So far, it’s been good.

Magnus Carlsen is considered the greatest endgame player ever, yet he once said he enjoys the middlegame more. Which phase of the game—opening, middlegame, or endgame—do you enjoy most, and why?

I'm not sure if Magnus said that, but he's obviously an excellent middlegame player. For me, the opening is fun until it's too much about memory and so on. I believe I'm good at openings, but it's not something that I do out of enjoyment. It's something that I have to do, especially when you play a lot of classical events.

Do you think having a rival pushes you to perform better?

I don’t think there is a need for a [rivalry to do your best]. I would say there is healthy competition between the players of this generation, which is pushing all of us together to the top. I think that’s why we are seeing these quick rises. Gukesh or Arjun achieving something certainly inspires me to push myself harder. I’m sure it’s the same with them when I do well. It’s good for the game that we are inspiring each other and pushing our limits.

Chess was part of the Esports World Cup this year. How do you think it is going to impact the chess world?

I really enjoyed playing for Team Liquid in the Esports qualifier [for the World Cup].... I think the format is really exciting for the spectators. But as a player, I felt it was a bit different from the normal event, especially when there is loud commentary, cheering spectators and headphones with white noise or with music. This is not common when you play chess and it’s certainly unpleasant. It was a different experience for me and next year I’ll certainly come prepared.

You come from a household with two GMs. How different is your game from your sister Vaishali’s?

I am more of a universal player. My sister is aggressive. She tries to play complicated games, tries to attack. We do discuss a lot of chess when we are at home. We discuss our strengths and weaknesses and so on. It does help both of us in that way.

If you could, what ability would you take from Gukesh, Arjun and Nihal Sarin?

Nihal, I would say the mouse skills and bullet (a faster format) skills. We saw in the Esports World Cup that he was really good when it came to the last few seconds. Arjun, I would say his attitude in general. He believes everything will be good and he has this positive attitude. Gukesh fights really hard on the board. His mental attitude is really good. So I would take that from him.

Foreign players of your generation such as Alireza Firouzja, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer, Hans Niemann, and Javokhir Sindarov have also announced their arrival. Who among these non-Indian stars do you think is going to be the toughest to play against in the years to come? Any observations on your non-Indian rivals?

There are just so many strong players who can beat anyone in the world. Every time you play the ones you named, you find yourself up against a very difficult opponent. I haven't singled out anyone as a favourite or a difficult opponent.

Most elite players can play blindfold chess with ease. How do you visualise a 64-square board and 32 pieces in your mind? Do you imagine a 3D board with 3D pieces or a 2D board with 2D pieces? What colours do you see for the board layout in your head?

Honestly, I don't know how to explain it with an analogy. It's not like there is any particular training for it. It's something that comes with more practice and looking at chess more. The pieces are floating in our heads, and we know where the king is. It's just there in our minds. It's easy for us because we have trained so much. There is no colour to either the board or the pieces. They just hang up there in your head, and you know what to do.

We have heard about lucky pens, wearing the same dress, and repeating winning daily routines. Do you have any rituals or superstitions before or during games?

Earlier, I used to take pens to the games, but nowadays it's just not possible. We are not even allowed to carry water bottles. I just carry my bananas.

Do you think it’s hard for an upcoming chess player to find sponsorship, at least in India?

I think it’s getting a lot better. There are more players coming into the game. Adani has been supporting me for the last year and all top Indian players are getting support. Overall, it’s good for Indian chess and I’m happy to see that.

How important has support from Adani Sportsline been for your career?

You need the support and training for tournaments. Last year, we played the Candidates where we needed a team and in-person camps and [other] things that do require support. And that’s where companies like Adani Group come in. They have been supporting me in a huge way. It’s amazing to see that we have so much interest in chess nowadays.

Do you read news reports about your games? If so, do they affect you in any way? Do you think the Indian media is doing justice to the proper coverage of chess? Any suggestions?

I am generally not active on X, Instagram, or any other social media. During tournaments, even YouTube is off the table. I think there is just so much coverage nowadays. Since I don't really have expertise in that field, I can't really give any suggestions.

India now has 88 grandmasters and counting. What advice would you give to aspiring grandmasters and young chess enthusiasts?

Just have fun with the game, always strive for the maximum, and believe in yourself.

hated-chess-initially-womens-world-cup-winner-divya-deshmukh-to-the-week

Sat Aug 16 17:43:41 IST 2025

Interview/ Divya Deshmukh, FIDE Women’s World Cup winner

THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH you can hope to win from a single tournament. But Divya Deshmukh hoped for a bit more. The 19-year-old from Nagpur not only booked a berth in the Candidates tournament next year, but also became the first Indian to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. The added bonus—she went from international master to grandmaster with a famous win over Koneru Humpy in the all-Indian final at Batumi in Georgia on July 29.

Winning the World Cup, it turns out, allows a player to bypass the norms needed to earn the GM title. With that, Divya became only the fourth Indian woman GM, joining Humpy, Harika Dronavalli and Vaishali Rameshbabu.

As historic an achievement as it was, Divya was not ready for the reception back home. Sons of Chennai are used to adoring crowds taking them from airport to home. Nagpur is no Chennai. Yet, scores gathered at the airport with flowers and drums. “That reiterated the faith that maybe chess can be developed in Nagpur,” the exhausted champion told THE WEEK in an interview.

The next few days were a whirlwind—Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented her with a Rs3 crore award, family friend Chief Justice B.R. Gavai dropped in to congratulate her, functions near and far were lined up and the notifications on her phone wouldn’t stop.

But perhaps Divya should get used to it, especially if she continues her recent form. In the past few years, she has won the Women’s World U-20 Championship, the Chess Olympiad as part of the Indian team and now the senior World Cup.

Next year, she will take part in the Candidates; if she wins, she gets an opportunity to dethrone current World Champion, China’s Ju Wenjun. Excerpts:

Q/ Did you speak to Humpy before the final? What is your relationship like?

A/ As we were going to play each other in the final, we did not speak. Humpy akka and I are compatriots. Of course, she’s much older so I didn’t have the opportunity to interact with her when I was younger. I’ve known her for the past three years.

Q/ You’ve risen through the ranks when a lot of eyes are on Indian chess. In previous generations, chess in India used to be mostly about Viswanathan Anand. How do you deal with the attention now, especially with social media and especially in the past few days?

A/ In the past few days, I don’t think I’ve had any time to even think... I have barely slept. But of course there’s going to be pressure. The higher the stakes, the more the pressure. When I was younger, I used to play these world youth category events.... Those situations really taught me how to handle pressure. Of course, it’s still a lot, but I try to focus on my own expectations.

Q/ What is your general relationship with social media? How important is it for a young player?

A/ It’s not me who is using social media. [There’s a team]. I barely use it. I think it’s a good way to connect with people and a good way to form a community where you can interact. But I think after a point, it is exhausting. I try to refrain from using it too much.

Q/ In recent times, the conversation about Indian chess has mostly been about the depth on the men’s side. Do you think your win is crucial in how the general public looks at women’s chess?

A/ I’m happy that along with our men’s chess, our women’s game is also developing. Of course, I hope that this win inspires a lot more young girls to take up chess. And I want to see a lot more girls after my generation reach this level.

Right now, it’s a little bit unclear how it will go. But for now, because of Humpy akka, Harika, Vaishali and a few more, I think we are definitely one of the top countries in the world.

Q/ You dedicated your grandmaster title to your first coach, Rahul Joshi. How did you get into chess and what kind of impact did he have on you?

A/ My getting-into-chess story is a bit funny. I was around five. My sister used to play badminton. She’s eight years older. As I was young, I was also tiny. I could not reach the net or hold the racket. There was a chess class [nearby]. My mom wanted me to play a sport that was not physical so that I didn’t get injured. That is how I started chess and I initially hated it. It was boring for me, like for any other five-year-old. My parents pushed me through it. And after a while, I just got the hang of it.

Q/ And Joshi sir?

A/ So this chess class I joined, that was Joshi sir’s. He has been the guiding force for me and my parents. He introduced me to the chess world and I think he is the reason I started chess.

Q/ Your mother had to sacrifice her medical practice to support you. What kind of role has your family played in your journey?

A/ My family has had the biggest role. Each one of them has such specific roles. My mom left her practice for me. My dad used to [take care of] all the technicalities and he also came with me to tournaments despite having a job (as a doctor). It’s gotten quite hectic. My sister, Arya, has also been such a huge support, morally. And my entire family, [for instance] my aunt. Every time I used to win a tournament, since I was eight or so, she used to always welcome me in a grand fashion. So for me, it is special. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten here.

Q/ Was there any pressure to become a doctor?

A/ No, but I’m interested in it. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can manage both.

Q/ Do you think that your win, especially given that you’re from Nagpur, will help spread the game to more non-conventional spaces in India?

A/ I’m hoping so. When I landed in Nagpur, I did not expect the kind of welcome I got. And that reiterated the faith that maybe chess can be developed in Nagpur.

Q/ How do you prepare for a tournament? Are you more theoretical or intuitive?

A/ I cannot reveal all my strategies here (laughs). But I think all my preparation for tournaments, it has to include all of it. And I think the main thing is just to stay in shape.

Q/ There was recently talk about the fitness of Mohammed Siraj, who bowled tirelessly in the Test series against England. But people don’t talk about the physical fitness required for chess. You play for long stretches.

A/ Yeah, it was quite a test of resilience to go out there every day. Not just mental. Just to sit at the board in such tense situations for five to six hours and to maintain your energy. It takes a lot. So physical fitness has been very important. It’s something I want to focus on a lot now, seeing how hard it is after the World Cup. People might not think it is a physical game, but I think it is.

Q/ You became a grandmaster through this tournament. Do you think your game reached the next level during the World Cup? Or did you have the attitude that you were mentally already a grandmaster?

A/ I knew it was a title waiting to be achieved. I wasn’t sure when, but I am glad it came now. Of course, it is nice to be a GM, but for me what mattered more was if I was actually capable of performing at that strength. That always mattered more.

Q/ One of your coaches compared you with M.S. Dhoni in terms of being calm on the board. But we have also seen you emotional off it. How do you maintain a balance?

A/ I think it’s quite important. When I was younger, the tournaments taught me a lot about how to be calm in crucial situations. And of course, it also comes from experience and learning.

There have been moments where I wasn’t calm and the result wasn’t so good. And there were moments when I managed to be calm and clinched the situation. It comes from experience.

Q/ You are a naturally aggressive player. Has anyone ever told you to rein that in? Going forward, do you want to strike a balance?

A/ I think it’s what works for me. I definitely want to be an all-rounder and learn all the aspects of chess. But I think aggression is what leads me to victories.

india-england-test-series-report-card-shubman-gill-captaincy-player-ratings

Sat Aug 09 20:11:31 IST 2025

The first time Mohammed Siraj carried India’s bowling on his tireless back, India breached the Gabba fortress in 2021. Books were written, documentaries were made and heroes were etched in stone. Four years later, Siraj stepped up once again, bowling unrelentingly in all five Tests and ending the series in England with a bowling performance for the ages..

The tour ended in a 2-2 draw, but was the most thrilling encounter since the one in Australia during the pandemic.

A look at the performances of Shubman Gill’s men in an enthralling see-sawing English summer:

SHUBMAN GILL 9.5/10

Though he had a modest overseas record, and was in his first series as captain, Gill quelled concerns of how he would handle the twin responsibility. He scored 754 sublime runs with four centuries; only Don Bradman, with 810, has more as captain in a series.

As captain, Gill began a trifle uncertainly, but grew in authority and tactical acumen with every session. He was at his best in the melodramatic 56 minutes on the last day of the series at the Oval.

K.L. RAHUL 8.5/10

Had a plum series with 532 runs, his best at this level. His technical finesse and unruffled approach consistently stymied the efforts of the English pacers to hustle through India’s top order, allowing the middle order to flourish. Barring the odd blemish, he was superb in the slips and was Gill’s go-to man for advice.

YASHASVI JAISWAL 7.5/10

The swashbuckling opener began the series with a searing century, went through a slump by chancing his arm too early, but made a timely return to form. He scored a controlled, critical century in the last Test to set England a target that would be just out of their reach. Topped 350 runs in a series for the third time. Excitability, leading to fielding errors, is something he needs to guard against.

SAI SUDHARSAN 5.5/10

Couldn’t take his IPL form into the series. Different format and vastly different conditions put the young left-hander to test. A well-crafted half century showed pedigree, but he seemed to lose concentration repeatedly when well set. Just 140 runs in three Tests leaves his spot vulnerable, with several claimants snapping at his heels.

KARUN NAIR 4/10

Like Sai, he couldn’t make much of the opportunities he got. His tally of 205 runs in eight innings was meagre for a batter with rich first-class experience. He couldn’t match the relentless run-making in domestic cricket that had brought him back into the national team. His Test future hangs at the mercy of the selectors.

RISHABH PANT 8.5/10

Inventive, instinctive and irrepressible, Pant made centuries in both innings of the first Test, and had five scores of 50-plus in seven innings before fracturing his foot. Till then, his high-risk approach, which unfailingly has critics and fans on their seat’s edge, had posed the biggest threat to England’s bowlers. While keeping, he kept errors to a minimum.

RAVINDRA JADEJA 8.5/10

On flat pitches, his bowling edge was considerably blunted. But Jadeja rose to great heights as a batter to vindicate his status as the game’s best all-rounder currently. His 516 runs included a gripping knock that almost won India the Lord’s Test from a near-impossible situation. He followed this up with a battling century at Old Trafford, which helped India avoid certain defeat. As always, he was brilliant in the field.

WASHINGTON SUNDAR 7.5/10

Not part of the first Test, the rangy all-rounder was a contentious choice for the second. Most experts argued for the specialist Kuldeep Yadav as second spinner. With India opting to strengthen the batting, Sundar held on to his place for the rest of the series, justifying his selection with versatile batting. He stone-walled for a century to save the Old Trafford Test and made an explosive half century at the Oval with the tail-enders.

NITISH KUMAR REDDY 6/10

Didn’t make the same impact he had in Australia, but showed that his all-round ability has good potential. His seam-up bowling, making good use of the conditions, was controlled and probing. With the bat, he was willing to work hard in the middle. An injury during net practice meant he could play only two Tests.

SHARDUL THAKUR 2.5/10

Ability to swing and seam the ball in English conditions, a ‘golden arm’ that could get a wicket at any stage, and robust late-order batting made him an 11th hour inclusion in the squad. He got two matches, but didn’t do much in any of these aspects. He lost his place and, given his age (33), faces an uncertain future in Tests.

AKASH DEEP 7.5/10

Bowled brilliantly at Edgbaston in tandem with Mohammed Siraj to help India level the series after the first loss. The 10-wicket haul on a flat wicket was a monumental effort. An unexpected injury kept him out for a while, but he returned for the final Test in which he had a star turn with the bat, making a rollicking half century as nightwatchman.

JASPRIT BUMRAH 7.5/10

As the world’s best fast bowler, Bumrah was the team’s pivotal figure heading into the series. He took a five-wicket haul at Headingley, another at Lord’s. However, India lost both times. A pre-determined workload commitment of three Tests kept him away from the second and fifth ones, with India ironically winning both. At full tilt, he was the most dangerous bowler from either side. By the end of the series, India were left searching for a formula that would make his participation smooth rather than staccato.

PRASIDH KRISHNA 7.5/10

Discarded for wayward, inconsistent bowling after playing the first two matches, he was a last-minute pick for the last Test over Arshdeep Singh, who had recovered from injury and looked certain to make his Test debut. It turned out to be an inspired selection.

In the heart-stopping thriller, Krishna teamed up with the sizzling Siraj to pick up eight wickets. He bowled daunting lines and lengths with pace and skill. Better consistency would make him indispensable.

MOHAMMED SIRAJ 9.5/10

Long under Bumrah and Mohammed Shami’s shadow, Siraj came into his own and played the decisive role in India squaring the series. In Bumrah’s absence, he took on the leadership of the attack, bowling heroic long spells without complaint, and picked up vital wickets when it mattered most. Apart from zeal, aggression, commitment and self-belief, he also revealed a growing repertoire of skills that troubled England’s best batters. His bowling on the last morning of the fifth Test is now part of cricket lore.

Dhruv Jurel and Anshul Kamboj featured in only one Test; Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, N. Jagadeesan and Harshit Rana did not play a match.

shubman-gills-captaincy-is-linked-to-legacy-and-the-english-summer-offers-him-a-chance-to-layalasting-foundation

Sat Jun 14 12:17:19 IST 2025

The last man from Punjab to debut in a Test for India, before Shubman Gill, was the tall and fast V.R.V. Singh. That was in 2006. It took the state nearly 15 years to send another of its prospects to the national side, when a fresh-faced Gill played a hero’s role in India’s historic win at the Gabba.

Four years later, he has been made captain of the team after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli called time on their red-ball career. The conversation around Gill in the past few years has been about his potential to carry on Kohli’s legacy. Both Punjabis, U19 World Cup winners and generational talents, now with the same bat sticker, too.

And sure, Gill has been living up to that promise in ODI cricket—he has the highest batting average (59.04) of anyone who has played more than 50 matches—and is the youngest to score a double hundred in the format.

But Test cricket is a world apart. Granted, Kohli was averaging under 40 in Tests when he became captain, but there was no questioning his place in the team. He already had centuries in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, and was widely accepted as the leader in-waiting. The selectors must have picked Gill on potential, and his average (35.05) is not that bad given the global dip in batting averages, but he is still to get a hundred outside the subcontinent. He was also dropped from the fourth Test in Australia last year, before making it back to the last Test when captain Sharma dropped himself.

And that is probably why the announcement of Gill as captain was met with cautious agreement rather than all-out excitement. The popular choice among fans was another Punjabi—and arguably the best cricketer in the world—Jasprit Bumrah. But a bowler like Bumrah comes around once in a few generations, if that, and keeping him physically fit is key to India’s fortunes across formats.

In steps Gill. And with that step comes the transformation from a talented batter to the face of the Indian cricket team. A face that advertisers love, but also one that certain corners of the internet troll for not having facial hair like almost every man of the Kohli-era team. Gill’s voice has also been a target for being “feminine”, “shrill” and not “macho” enough. Interestingly, he did voice acting for the Indian Spider-Man—a shy high-school student—in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse a couple of years ago. Going by the YouTube comment section of the trailer, he did a splendid job.

But trolling is a relentless pursuit. And Gill knows this. He has been linked to more women than the number of years he has been an international cricketer. In an interview, he admitted that all the noise got to him during the pandemic, but he got over it in a couple of months.

Gill comes from a generation that has seen the internet all their life. He is the first Indian captain whose journey can be traced through his Instagram account—from countless mirror selfies with captions like, “Am not special, I am just limited edition”, to snippets of a growing career at the junior level, to finally now a mix of sponsored posts, photo-shoots and cricketing exploits.

Coming back to Kohli and legacy, where Gill bats will give an insight into how much he and the team management actually buy into this narrative of the ‘Prince’ taking over from the ‘King’. Gill has only opened or come in at one-down. Taking Kohli’s position at four would be a statement.

But that is not the only legacy Gill carries. He is Test captain no. 37; the first of independent India was another Punjabi—Lala Amarnath. Somewhere in between was the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. It is their body of work that Gill carries forward as captain. In a state that has recently unearthed a lot of talent in the shorter formats, including India’s T20I opener Abhishek Sharma, pacer Arshdeep Singh (part of the Test squad for England) and Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh, to name a few, Gill is the poster boy for what can be.

A win in England, where India last won in 2007, would be a dream start for the captain. But it won’t be easy. Gill takes over at a low point in Indian Test cricket. New Zealand dismantled a legacy by defeating India 3-0 at home; the first home series loss in 12 years. They then lost 3-1 in Australia and missed what would have been their third World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

This English assignment will be India’s first in the new WTC cycle, and will also mark the beginning of a new era. Gill’s ascent is the headline-grabber, but there are other stories that will unfold in the next few weeks. For one, there is the return of Karun Nair. The Bengaluru batter last played a Test for India eight years ago. In 2016, he scored 303* against England in Chennai. Ever since, he has toiled on the domestic circuit, winning the Ranji Trophy with Vidarbha and returning to the IPL this year. In the absence of Kohli and Sharma, India will rely on the experience of Nair, along with K.L. Rahul. That he has played for Northamptonshire in county cricket would help him navigate the pitches in England.

Another man who has had a stint in county cricket, at Surrey, is the star of this IPL season—Sai Sudarshan. If Nair’s is a story of redemption, the 23-year-old is at the other end of the spectrum. An up-and-coming talent who has the world at his feet at the moment.

But the most important weapon in India’s arsenal is Bumrah, and the fact that he will play only three matches will weigh heavily on the team’s mind. If India lose the first two matches with Bumrah playing, there might be the temptation to play him more than planned.

As with most foreign tours, the conditions will make or break the Indian team. This summer in England has been dry, with little rain, which means the pitches might not be as swing-friendly as they usually are. This could bring the spinners into play a bit more, and India have the better spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. England only have a mercurial Shoaib Bashir and perhaps a few overs from Joe Root.

If the pitches do aid the pacers, India’s experience would help. They will miss Mohammed Shami, but still hold the advantage in terms of overall maturity. The England bowling line-up is far different from the one that India came up against a couple of years ago. They don’t have James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.

As for batting, flatter wickets would also mean more runs, and there is where India’s lack of experience could show. England have the mighty Root, the Bazballing openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, the talented Harry Brook and of course captain Ben Stokes.

It is here that Gill the batter has to step up. He has said he will only think as a batter while at the crease and not let the captain in him influence his decisions. How he actually implements that will be crucial because if he fails in the first few innings, it could affect his thinking as the skipper.

Gill’s captaincy record so far is limited to the Gujarat Titans in the IPL (two seasons), a couple of Ranji matches and a T20I series in Zimbabwe. India won that series, but lost the first match in a shocker. In the IPL, he took GT to the playoffs this year and was one of their batting mainstays. The point being that the sample size of his captaincy is not big enough to draw any trends.

GT assistant coach Parthiv Patel said in an interview that Gill spends a lot of time with the young players and that he has been a leader in the dressing room. It would help that four of the men in that dressing room—Sai Sudarshan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar—are part of the team in England.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Gill as captain would be his relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir. With Kohli, Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin gone, Gambhir’s is the loudest voice in the team. And he now has a new generation, people he hasn’t played with for India, to nurture and guide.

Both Gill and Gambhir are young in terms of their roles. Gill is 25; Gambhir is 43. Given the stability that Indian cricket has looked for in Test captains in the recent past, it would be assumed that the selectors want Gill for the long haul.

Which is why it would be harsh to judge captain Gill only on the basis of this England tour. This is a team in transition, and could well end up not making the WTC final in this cycle. But given the talent pool in the country, India is never out of the picture. It all depends on how Gill paints that picture.

virat-kohli-retirement-from-test-cricket

Sat May 17 13:20:42 IST 2025

FOR SOMEONE WHO strutted on cricket fields across the world with gladiatorial aplomb, Virat Kohli’s retirement from Tests was uncharacteristically undramatic. “I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off,” is how he ended his poignant but sedate post on Instagram.

Kohli’s cricketing brilliance and incandescent personality outshone everyone in the sport since his debut. And now, he has moved into the shade, leaving millions of his fans in dismay and the wider world in disbelief.

Kohli has been a force of nature. Feisty, provocative, confrontational, but above all a player whose influence on Indian cricket was, as former greats Greg Chappell and Michael Vaughan termed it, ‘transformative’.

His exploits in all formats are Himalayan, an expression of not just fantastic skills, but also great grit, unflinching willpower, undying ambition, unquenchable desire to excel and an uncompromising work ethic. The sum total of these aspects was an electrifying force that brought the world to attention wherever he played.

This was most strikingly manifest when he was captain. Former India chief coach Ravi Shastri, who had a seven-year partnership with Kohli that kept India among the top three in all formats, credits him with making India into a supremely combative unit, especially overseas.

“Fiercely competitive and intensely motivated to be the best in the world, at a personal level and with his team, he was extremely demanding when it came to attitude, intent and fitness,” says Shastri. “Sometimes this did not sit well with some of his teammates, but Kohli never asked anyone to do what he couldn’t himself.”

Shastri and Kohli reoriented India’s approach to red-ball cricket, particularly by putting major accent on pace to win overseas.

Kohli’s stats in white-ball cricket, especially ODIs, might overshadow his Test numbers, but his impact in red-ball cricket was perhaps greater. He was Test cricket’s biggest ambassador, someone who breathed life into a format that had started to wane.

His best performances came in Australia. In 2011, on his first tour, he hit a maiden Test century in the last match, laying the foundation for a fabulous career. Tipped to succeed his hero Sachin Tendulkar as the next big thing from India, Kohli lived up to the billing as he went from strength to strength, one milestone to another, in rapid time.

In 2014-15, in Australia, he hammered 692 runs in four Tests. Shastri, who was cricket director then, says he hadn’t seen any Indian bat as well overseas apart from Mohinder Amarnath in the West Indies in 1982-83.

The peak of Kohli’s captaincy, too, came in Australia. In 2018-19, India broke the psychological stranglehold Australia had enjoyed for 70 years. In 2020-21, India repeated the series win, though Kohli was back in India for the birth of his daughter. The change in mindset he had effected was paying dividends even in his absence.

Ironically, his last series in Australia marked a dismal end to a lean 2024 in Tests for him, and was possibly a big factor in him calling it a day.

The retirements of Kohli and Rohit Sharma provoked wide debate and discussion all over the cricket world. The timing seemed abrupt in both cases, perhaps more unexpected with the younger and demonstrably fitter Kohli. Both had used social media to make their decision public and both kept the ODI option open. It almost seemed they were borrowing moves from the same playbook.

Of course, players retiring simultaneously is not uncommon. The most striking example is of legendary Aussies Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh signing off in the same Test in 1984.

While there are myriad reasons why players retire, this happening in multiple numbers usually finds a common underlying cause. Conspiracy theorists highlight a disquieting pattern after the Test debacles against New Zealand at home and in Australia,with the unexpected retirements of R. Ashwin mid-series Down Under, and Sharma and Kohli in the past few days. The sacking of three support staff members a couple of weeks ago had set tongues wagging about a purge in process.

But there are other aspects to the retirements of Sharma and Kohli which can’t be glossed over. Both have had an extremely long streak of low Test scores in the past year, so much so that Sharma even dropped himself from the last Test against Australia. In keeping with new-age sensibilities, both have shown reluctance to spend long periods away from their young families. Moreover, now in their late 30s, both have limited time left at the international level. All these could have played a part, in varying degree, in their decision.

Precisely what precipitated their retirements has not been clarified. Between the Australia series and now, there was no red-ball cricket. The only way to assess form was in the Champions Trophy and the IPL. Kohli, particularly, and Sharma have done well in both.

BCCI sources say that behind-the-scenes parleys between the players, selectors and the board were not conclusive. The fact that both were given grade A+ central contracts three weeks back means they were in the running for the tour of England, imbuing the recent happening with even more intrigue.

Their abrupt retirement suggests that ongoing back-channel talks had failed. Whether this was for reasons solely of performance, ego or poor negotiations is open to speculation. Former India skipper Anil Kumble, speaking to ESPNcricinfo, was among those who believed that the BCCI could have handled the issue better.

On the horizon now is a five-Test series in England starting late June. India haven’t won a series there since 2007. Losing the captain as well as the two most experienced top-order batters has sent India’s selectors scampering for answers.

While the talent supply pipeline is overflowing―Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Rajat Patidar, Ruturaj Gaikwad (if fit) and Abhishek Sharma, to name a few―plugging these holes would be challenging. Add to this the fact that they need to pick a squad with balance, depth and heft in all departments for a new captain―Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant lead the race―and the day has become much longer for chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his cohorts.

ballon-d-or-winner-michael-owen-dissects-the-great-games-evolution

Sat Apr 19 14:25:35 IST 2025

MUMBAI

A hippophile. An absolute movie hater. A clinical finisher who was part of the ‘Galácticos’ at Real Madrid. Michael Owen, whose solo goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup remains legendary, was an “all about runs, not tricks” striker before constant injuries took away his most potent weapon―pace. At the age of 18, he was the next big thing in English football as he became Liverpool’s top scorer and the Premier League’s joint top scorer in 1998. In 2001, following a cup treble season at Anfield, he became the first English player after Kevin Keegan to lift the Ballon d’Or. However, he had become a Madridista by the time of the award ceremony!

Owen, 45, sat down for a brief interaction in Mumbai ahead of the recent Legends El Clásico at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Football has evolved since he hung up his boots. For instance, inverted wingers (right-footers on the left, and vice versa) have become more popular and they often try to cut inside and shoot instead of focusing on feeding the strikers.

It is players of Owen’s ilk who ultimately felt the impact of this change of style. “Nobody crosses the ball so much nowadays,” Owen said. “Wider players are scoring more goals now, they are cutting and coming inside, being on their wrong foot.... I guess I don’t know where I would fit in today’s game. The profile has changed, and with the way teams play now, there are just fewer natural No. 9s who can score many goals. When we played there were loads and loads of them.”

Owen, England’s sixth all-time highest goalscorer who was called “speed merchant with a killer instinct”, in his playing days, said modern football has become much more athletic. Tricksters are falling behind great runners and stamina guns, he said. “It is more important to be a good runner than it is to have skills, which was never ever the case [back in his day]; those mavericks, genius types of players are slowly disappearing now,” said Owen. “It’s about hard, fast, running football supported by stats. It is changing, but it’s fascinating [in it’s own way].”

Coaches, Owen said, have become increasingly hesitant to deploy two strikers up front. Pairings, such as Owen and Emile Heskey, Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton (“SAS”), Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole or Fernando Morientes and Raúl, are out of the picture as teams today prefer one No. 9 up front. This helps the teams make their midfield or defence watertight with an extra pair of legs.

At Chelsea, coach José Mourinho successfully popularised the single-striker tactic by deploying the talented and powerful African Didier Drogba up front. Then emerged many loner No. 9s like Diego Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema (at post-Cristiano Madrid).

The false-nine system (the striker drops back to create space and link up play), which has been used to devastating effect by Pep Guardiola, has also found many takers in Europe and England. Owen felt it is only natural for teams to adopt a proven style. “Robotic might be a harsh word to explain the way modern game works,” he said. “Seeing a great manager succeed, others feel they have to copy that, although certain teams and players are not capable of doing that. But they still play that way and end up giving away many goals. We have one or two in the Premier League, teams at the bottom of the table, trying to play the Guardiola way and paying the price.”

Four decades ago, there were no back passes. Today, teams love to have possession and back passes are vital to retain possession. Teams now look at data and stats to come up with varieties in team shapes, systems and even styles of play. “I think it is always nice to have two different styles; but again, this is not set in forever, people will find new ways of playing,” Owen said. “So, maybe, in a few years, we will come back to having two centre-forwards. I don’t know. But yeah, I made my name with different pairs and I’d certainly prefer the old way when everybody had pairs.”

champions-trophy-rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-who-will-replace-them

Sat Mar 15 12:04:18 IST 2025

Rohit Sharma’s blistering 76 set the tone for India’s exciting run chase in the Champions Trophy final, but perhaps more crucial was his captaincy, particularly the manner in which he marshalled his spinners.

Match situations in sport are continually evolving. The best captains implement their tactics dynamically, improvising as the need arises. This necessitates an acute understanding of such situations, the strengths and weaknesses of opponents, and how these can be mitigated or exploited by his team.

In the end, India won a hard-fought match and lifted the Champions Trophy for the third time. In a way, this was redemption for India, and Rohit, after the shocking 0-3 whitewash in a home Test series against New Zealand, which in turn had a grim impact on the team’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia.

With Rohit at the helm, India have won two ICC tournaments in a space of nine months. In fact, in three successive ICC white-ball tournaments, India have won 23 of 24 matches, losing only the final of the ODI World Cup in 2023. This is extraordinary consistency in limited-over formats, where topsy-turvy results are not uncommon.

While comparisons between teams and players of different eras are always debatable, that the current team is India’s best-ever in white-ball cricket is now being said without much demur. Under M.S. Dhoni, India won the T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013), but several experts and aficionados argue that the current team is more talented and the bionic approach it has shown has redefined global white-ball cricket.

Rohit’s own role in winning two ICC tournaments and raising India’s stock has been enormous. As a batter, he is considered a giant for the pace at which he scores, and the big scores he has accumulated in ODIs. This includes three double centuries.

His Test record is not as spectacular, but his exploits in ODIs put him close to ‘chase maestro’ Virat Kohli, who has the most centuries in the format and is about 4,000 runs shy of Tendulkar’s run tally. As a player, Rohit stands alongside Kohli, Tendulkar and Kapil Dev as India’s best in limited-overs cricket.

His achievements as captain give his cricketing stature more heft. Apart from winning the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, he has taken India to the final of the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship in 2023. Add to this the five IPL titles leading Mumbai Indians, and several experts, including former England captain Nasser Hussain, believe Rohit is the best in contemporary cricket; someone who has reshaped the culture of the Indian dressing room, not just through tactical acumen, but by leading from the front.

Nonetheless, questions about Rohit’s future were swirling through the tournament and even after the final: Will he retire from ODIs, or cricket altogether? This probably compelled the personal intervention to clear the air.

Rohit wound up the post-match news conference with a terse message: “I’m not retiring from one-day cricket, so please don’t go spreading rumours.” The tone and tenor were earthy, in a manner that has come to typify him, but the intent seemed steely.

For more than six months, speculation about Rohit’s future, as also Kohli’s, had been rife. Both had retired from T20Is after the World Cup last year, but ran into plentiful road bumps in the other formats. Soon after the T20 World Cup, the team lost badly in the ODI series in Sri Lanka, and then in the Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

There are no ODI matches for India for almost six months now. The next major assignment is the ODI World Cup, to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November 2027. By that time, Kohli will be 38 and Rohit 40. To add more names to this cluster, Ravindra Jadeja will be 38 and Mohammed Shami 37. Issues related to the fitness and form of these players will be critical.

The biggest challenge, however, comes from within. India’s cricket talent has seen a massive surge in the past two decades. The supply line is chock-a-block with exceptional young players coming from all parts of the country, all vying for a place in the national team in one or more formats. Staving off such a challenge is the daunting hurdle every player, of whatever vintage, pedigree and past performance and reputation, has to square up to.

Think of Rishabh Pant, maverick match-winner, this IPL’s most-valuable player, unable to find a place in the playing XI in the Champions Trophy. Given how K.L. Rahul performed, it could take some doing for Pant to regain his place. Varun Chakravarthy, a last-minute inclusion for the tournament with no great ODI credentials, would be a first-choice spinner in certain conditions. World-cupper Mohammed Siraj couldn’t retain his place in the ODI squad, and while Shami made a superb return, there are others waiting to step into his shoes.

Rohit and Kohli are not exempt either. Young guns Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma are straining at the leash to be in the Indian team as an opener or no. 3 in ODIs―positions currently occupied by Rohit and Kohli.

This does not mean that playing at the highest level is defined by age. Maturity, depth of experience and breadth of expertise are invaluable. In the 1975 World Cup, West Indies escaped a crisis in the final against Australia because of the superb supporting knock played by 40-year-old Rohan Kanhai while Clive Lloyd was on a rampage. In the 1992 tournament, Pakistan’s triumph was masterminded by Imran Khan, then 40. In 2011, when India won the World Cup, the team’s highest run-getter in the tournament was 38-year-old Tendulkar.

India’s brigade of veteran stars is ageing fast, but not over the hill yet. The focus on Rohit has been greater compared with Kohli and Jadeja because of the superior fitness of the latter two. But Rohit has not been a liability to the side in any way, as his performances suggest.

One way to extend a career, as some have done in the past, is to give up captaincy, which can be very demanding in the dressing room and subject to merciless scrutiny from the outside. Sunil Gavaskar did so after winning the World Championship of Cricket in 1985, and his last couple of years in international cricket were hugely rewarding. Similarly, Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who gave up captaincy to concentrate on batting, took their careers several notches higher.

A day after announcing that he wasn’t retiring, a more circumspect Rohit said he would take a call on his future seeing how the situation evolves. This is sensible. For now, the attention shifts to the IPL, which will tell him―and others of his vintage―about how the body and mind are coping with playing at the highest level. This could determine his future in red-ball cricket (a five-Test series against England comes up in June), which in turn could be the bridge to his continuation in ODIs.

Till then, in the few days he has before donning the Mumbai blue, Rohit can sit back and enjoy the fact that he was the man who led the Indian team out of the ICC trophy drought of 11 years, and kickstarted what could be a lengthy run of white-ball domination.

indian-badminton-team-national-coach-pullela-gopichand-interview

Fri Mar 21 15:09:51 IST 2025

Interview/ Pullela Gopichand, chief national coach, Indian badminton team

PULLELA GOPICHAND, the chief national coach of the Indian badminton team, sparked a debate when he said in a recent interview that only children from rich backgrounds should take up sports. He later clarified that the headline did not capture the nuanced nature of his argument, and that he never meant that those from financially weaker homes should not pursue a sporting career. In an interview with THE WEEK, the former All-England champion spoke at length about the debate, and the need to have a safety net for athletes. Excerpts:

Q/Was there a specific incident that prompted your statement or has it been on your mind for a while?

A/ People who've known me would know that this has been always on my mind. I would speak about this at most meetings; the need for kids to play sport and also have exit strategies for those who don't make it. But the fact is that you want the Olympic cycle to finish, tournaments to finish [before bringing up such a topic]. Sometimes when you speak with somebody for an hour, and they have limited space in the newspaper, then the [catchy] headline actually sparks off a larger debate. So, in hindsight, I'm okay with it because it has at least made me speak up on what I've always thought was very, very important.

Q/What has been your takeaway from the reactions to your statement?

A/ People who have read the entire article or followed what I've been saying from day one would understand that this is a larger issue, and it's not about me saying that kids from the middle- or lower-middle class should not take up sports.

Q/As an athlete and a coach, you know chances of success in sports are slim. How do you tell young athletes that they might not make it?

A/ It's difficult to have this conversation with a young player, because [usually] I'm telling him, ‘You’re going to be the next world champion, and we're going to work together to do it.’ But we need to understand that they need a reality check at a certain age, say 13 or 14, and it might be different for other sports. It’s much better if you are able to sort this as [part of] a system. It’s an emotional decision between parent and child, student and teacher.

With some of my athletes, some 19-year-olds, I would nudge and say, ‘Boss, let's see. Let's be realistic. The results aren't coming. Why don't you look at transitioning? You may not be successful in the sport you're playing, but that is okay.’ The sad reality is that people think that losing is a crime or they're ashamed of it. The nature of sport is such that you might try your 100 per cent, you might be one of the most hard-working people [and still not make it].

Q/In countries like China or Australia, an athlete’s success is treated as routine, part of the job. But in India, we romanticise the struggles. Does this make players see success as the only available option?

A/ For us, sporting successes have been so few, and the understanding of sport has been so low, that we think everyone who wins is God and everyone who loses is a demon. It’s not necessarily that. The champion is [not necessarily] the one who has worked the hardest of the lot. There are many factors that contribute to the [success]. It's okay to fail. Just take your learnings from sport, which are huge, to another field and try and be successful there. We need to handhold them so they don't feel down when they make this decision.... Because today, more than before, to become a sportsperson you have to sacrifice a lot. The best academic years are also your best sporting years. There are only a few slots at the highest [level in sport]. So if you don't make it, you quickly transition.

Q/So would you suggest all players have some academic backup?

A/ I think it's important that we look at the entire ecosystem. Some sports will have you play continuously and there might be no motivation for the athlete to study. So sometimes when they leave the sport, [we should] probably handhold them with scholarships and foundation courses to bridge the gap between where they're supposed to be academically to where they are at the moment.... They have to live another 50, 60 years after they are done playing.

Q/Parupalli Kashyap recently wrote an article supporting your statement, and mentioned athletes are not getting government jobs like they used to. Why is that?

A/ I think there could be various reasons that the government feels that top players don't need jobs. That they have other revenues, which is also true. Some of the elite athletes have other revenues. But when they start making a name, a job actually gives them safety, which [makes them] happy because then they can play freely. [But] jobs are only one solution. More important are skilling, educating, transitioning and motivating them for a career outside of their sport.... I don't have all the answers for this problem, but I know this problem is big.

Q/A few days ago, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced a special capacity building course to help prepare athletes for careers in alternative fields like coaching, refereeing and technical roles. How do you react to that?

A/ I think it’s a fantastic decision. I've been in touch with the [sports] secretary. I've met Mandaviya sir and I’ll be meeting him next week. They are well-meaning people. It's just that we need to have a rounded approach to this. We have to accept the fact that for one champion to be made, we probably need 10,000 people to play the sport. We don't know which of those 10,000 will become a champion, but we know that only one or two will actually make a career out of sport. So where do the rest go? We have not [thought much about it] in the past because probably the numbers were not so high.

I think all of the avenues should come together, whether it's industry, corporates who are putting a lot of CSR funding into it, the government that is creating schemes or educational institutions [that can help].

Q/Do you think the change will have to start from the parents or will it have to be a wider, system-related change?

A/ Changes happen because society puts pressure on people to think.... The kid will have to believe that he will be the next big thing [because] that’s the way sport works. He cannot have a plan B. It's for society to provide him with the safety net, whether it's the parents or institutions. We need to drill this into a system. It cannot just be an emotional issue.

virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-future-after-indias-cricket-series-loss-against-australia

Sat Jan 11 12:17:37 IST 2025

There were no signs of the turmoil to come when India won the opening Test against Australia in Perth. Jasprit Bumrah, captaining in the absence of Rohit Sharma, showed strong leadership and extraordinary bowling form, destroying the Australian top order in both innings.

However, the joy was short-lived. Australia regrouped swiftly to win three of the remaining four Tests. This was a double whammy for India―not only did they lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, but also lost out on a place in the World Test Championship final for the first time since it started in 2019.

The contest was taut, drawing record crowds to make this a blockbuster series, in terms of attendance and profits. Official figures put the on-ground spectatorship at more than 8,37,000 for the five Tests, reportedly the fourth highest-ever in Australia, including the venerated Ashes contests.

This established the burgeoning appeal of the Indo-Aus rivalry, which is equal to if not greater than the Ashes currently, highlighted by some extremely close bilateral Test series, and a WTC and an ODI World Cup final, both won by Australia. Even with this Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Australian victory was not as easy as the 3-1 scoreline suggests. India fought hard, keeping themselves in contention to at least square the series till the last innings of the fifth Test.

By regaining the trophy, Australia have dislodged India as the world’s best cricket team of the last decade across formats. In 2021, Australia had won the T20 World Cup, too, to make it a hat-trick of ICC trophies within two years.

In the end, the Aussies prevailed, not so much because of home advantage, rather because they showed greater resolve, gumption and ambition to win critical passages of play that decide the fate of a match.

India, on the other hand, tended to lose their focus under pressure, as highlighted by batting collapses, loose bowling and dropped catches.

In hindsight, these are the factors that contributed to India’s downfall.

Fickle tactical approach

There was no consistency in strategic thinking, which seemed to swing and swerve from session to session, day to day, match to match. The fact that Sharma missed the first and last Test might have had a role to play, of course, but it was in the wider, backroom planning that India seemed to be unclear.

This led to frequent changes in the playing XI as well as in the batting order, which made it difficult for the team to settle. For instance, in the first three Tests, India played three different spinners. In the fifth Test in Sydney, where a spicy, grassy pitch was screaming for an extra pacer, India played an extra spinner to shore up the batting rather than looking to take wickets. The second spinner, Washington Sundar, bowled only one over in the match.

In the batting, Sharma moving up and down the batting order would have been disorienting for K.L. Rahul, who had started the series well as opener. The ploy did not work, and in fact pulled down the batting performance further.

R. Ashwin’s decision to retire and return home midway through the series could only have added to the confusion in the dressing room, whatever the diplomatic explanations offered by Ashwin himself and the team management.

Also, for some reason, the team got sucked into avoidable issues that had no real bearing on cricket. Like Kohli’s run-in with the media in Melbourne, or Ravindra Jadeja “ducking” interview questions.

There was also the wholly avoidable episode of Kohli shoulder barging debutant Sam Konstas, which turned public favour―the Aussies had supported India’s performances till then―against the team and also made the opponents take their effort a notch higher.

What value has the support staff brought to the team is a question a number of former players, including Sunil Gavaskar, raised. The former captain demanded to know, quite rightly, why, given the specialist coaches under head coach Gautam Gamhir, Kohli’s technical flaw―of poking at deliveries outside the off stump―could not be sorted out. And also why the bowling coach could not curb the number of no balls India bowled.

All said, the biggest drag on the team was the utter failure of Sharma and Kohli. As in the home series against New Zealand―which India lost 0-3―they looked completely out of sorts against the Aussies. There, their failure had come against spin; this time, against pace.

Sharma, who missed the first Test for the birth of his second child, made a piddly 31 runs in five innings. He rested himself for the last Test, which was a thinly veiled way of saying that he had dropped himself.

Kohli’s scores were not as low as Sharma’s, but if anything, his struggle was more pathetic. Leaving aside the century in the first Test, he could muster only 90 more runs in the eight other innings. Worse, he was often dismissed in the same fashion, edging to the slip cordon or to the keeper.

Whether this was because of a flaw in technique, mental burnout or both, became the subject of widespread discussion across the cricket world.

Kohli looked a pale shadow of the dominant batter who had strode cricket grounds all over the world for a decade before the unending lean trot set in a few years ago.

The tepid form of the next rung of experienced batters―Rahul, Jadeja, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant (all having played in Australia previously)―affected India’s chances further.

The silver lining

Bright spots in the batting were 23-year-old opener Jaiswal (on his first tour of Australia, and now India’s premier batter) and 21-year-old debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made an instant impact with his uninhibited batting supplemented by his swing bowling and brilliant fielding.

Rise of a colossus

Though he finished on the losing side, Bumrah was the standout player of the series. He kept India’s hopes alive with a tour de force performance that fetched him a whopping 32 wickets.

There are a fair number of bowlers who have taken more wickets in a series, but few have done so with such a mind-boggling average (13.06) and strike rate (28.37). In many ways, the series could be described as Bumrah versus Australia.

It is moot whether India could have squared the series had Bumrah been fit to bowl in the last innings of the series at Sydney, but clearly the Aussie batters breathed more freely not seeing him at the top of his run-up.

In under eight eventful weeks, Bumrah went from being a premier fast bowler to an all-time great. His unorthodox action, immaculate control, wide repertoire of skills, probing lines and lengths, and unrelenting aggression mark him out as an exceptional talent.

Unfortunately, Bumrah’s virtuosity found meagre support from his team, especially from the batting, which looked strong on paper, but was as resilient in the middle as roasted pappadum.

What next?

India have lost six of their previous eight Tests, including three at home. This throws up multiple questions about India’s prowess in red-ball cricket as well as the future of several star players, particularly Sharma and Kohli.

In bowling, the biggest concern is Bumrah’s back spasm that kept him out of the last day’s play in Sydney. How this latest injury impacts his workload in Tests will vex the selectors as they plan for India’s Test campaigns this year.

Meanwhile, the other pace ace Mohammed Shami is still in rehab. Even if there is a plethora of fast bowlers to choose from, the pace attack looks bereft of depth, despite the feisty and tireless Mohammed Siraj.

In spin, bowlers of Ashwin’s calibre are not easily replaced. Poor returns for Jadeja in recent Tests make the slow-bowling department look thin.

The harshest scrutiny, however, will be trained on Sharma and Kohli. Age is cited as a major reason for their decline, but there are a number of players who played when much older. Their absence from domestic tournaments like the Ranji and the Duleep Trophy and the ‘superstar culture’ that guarantees players a place in the national team have become a raging debate that could lead to a change in BCCI policy.

But while India’s talent pool is rich, players such as Sharma and Kohli are not easily replaced. The intrinsic class and body of work achieved over several years cannot become the victim of mindless fulmination or senseless selection hacking. However, after this debacle, the two will have to live on current form rather than past glory, as had been the case so far.

That Indian cricket is in a state of transition is undoubted. How and at what speed this transition takes place remains to be seen.

shuttle-badminton-high-performance-centre-at-kalinga-stadium-in-bhubaneswar-odisha

Sat Jan 04 12:16:13 IST 2025

Agiant shuttlecock illuminates the night sky in Bhubaneswar. It is a new building, designed to look like a cork base. Laser lights are beamed upwards from the terrace’s perimeter at an angle to resemble feathers. This is Shuttle―a newly built badminton high-performance centre (HPC) inside the Kalinga Sports Complex. “It is an iconic infrastructure,” says former All England champion Pullela Gopichand. “It says to Bhubaneswar that we are here.” Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat Group was made possible through a collaboration with the Odisha government and the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation.

In 2017 and 2018, the three entities came together with a shared vision to establish a state-of-the-art badminton facility in Bhubaneswar. With the Odisha government’s commitment to making the state India’s leading sports destination, Gopichand’s expertise and the Dalmia Bharat Group’s financial backing―to the tune of Rs75 crore as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives―the dream was realised after years of dedicated effort.

Inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the president of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), on December 12, Shuttle is unlike any other badminton facility in the world. The stunning aesthetic of the centre is further enhanced by its outdoor landscape which features a walk of fame honouring the history and development of badminton in India. Additionally, there is an amphitheatre with seating for 200, and a reflective pool, adding to the visual charm of the structure.

The government of Odisha views the world-class facility as a pivotal moment for badminton development for the entire country. “Under the guidance of Pullela Gopichand, the centre will not only inspire budding players but also attract elite athletes,” says Suryabanshi Suraj, the minister of state for sports and youth services, Odisha. “It will serve as a hub for advanced coaching and talent grooming, thereby propelling badminton in Odisha and India to unprecedented heights.”

What truly sets the HPC apart is its expansive 77,000sqft of indoor space. Housing the Dalmia Bharat Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (DBPGBA), it features eight fully air-conditioned courts, where the badminton legend will strive to identify and develop the next generation of badminton champions. The courts, built to international standards, comply with Badminton World Federation requirements.

In addition to its courts, the HPC offers top-notch dormitory facilities for 36 players―22 boys and 14 girls―and a cafeteria that caters to their nutritional needs, all in the same building. The walls and furniture of the dormitories and cafeteria are painted in the Indian tricolour to inspire the young players. The walls also feature motivational quotes. The space has been thoughtfully designed to provide a supportive environment, helping the young players train and grow while they are away from their families.

The Odisha government had invited corporate entities to contribute to developing sports facilities within the Kalinga complex. Dalmia Bharat chose to invest in badminton. “The objective was to sharpen the badminton talents further,” says Puneet Dalmia, managing director, Dalmia Bharat. “We have seen many people not fully leveraging their talent because of the financial burden of getting training outside India.” Shuttle also focuses on nurturing the mental and emotional well-being of athletes through a dedicated yoga and meditation centre. “We have adopted a holistic approach, because to perform at the top level in high-pressure situations, you don’t just need talent but also a calm mind,” says Dalmia.

The day-to-day operation of Shuttle will be overseen by Gopichand and his team. The DBPGBA will collaborate with the Odisha State Badminton Association and the Sports Authority of India to conduct trials. Additionally, they will also visit pockets of Odisha to scout young players. Suraj says talent identification programmes will be implemented at grassroots level across all districts. “Mostly children of the age group of 11, 12 and 13 from across Odisha will be selected to stay and train here,” says Gopichand.

Once selected, all needs of these kids would be taken care of. Alongside badminton, they will also continue their education through online classes and open schooling. “Students staying at all sports hostels and HPCs are given abundant scope to continue their education,” says Suraj. “The government gives them free schooling. So, sports and education can go simultaneously.”

Inclusivity will be a top priority. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be given priority, says Suraj.

Shuttle will be different from the Hyderabad academy run by Gopichand. “In Hyderabad, players who have been world No 1 or in the top 10 continue to play alongside youngsters; Shuttle will only have young players,” says Gopichand.

The facilities at Shuttle include a top-class gym, swimming pools, running tracks and India’s largest sports science centre.

If everything goes as planned, Shuttle will be hosting international competitions. “We will work closely with the BAI to get quality events to this venue,” says Suraj. “These events will provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills while also encouraging a competitive spirit.”

Gopichand hopes to organise BWF 100-level competitions and BWF international challenges, in addition to national tournaments. He wants Shuttle to become a breeding ground for players who will be the face of Indian badminton in time for the 2036 Olympics, which India hopes to host.

Dalmia Bharat, recognised for having one of the lowest carbon footprints in the global cement industry, constructed Shuttle based on sustainable principles and eco-friendly practices. The facility incorporates features like rainwater harvesting, permeable paving to support groundwater recharge, and on-site waste recycling. Moreover, the unique inverted shell design naturally cools the indoor areas, reducing energy consumption and enhancing overall energy efficiency.

for-the-children-of-manipur-and-mizoram-football-is-a-way-to-a-prosperous-future

Sat Dec 21 16:06:11 IST 2024

Nestled amid the undulating hills and verdant valleys of northeast India are two states that cherish a football culture which is as magnificent as the landscape. Despite their relatively small populations, Manipur and Mizoram have, for more than a decade, produced the highest number of footballers to play for India at various age groups.

This success can be attributed to several factors, including a deep-rooted passion for the sport, robust grassroots development programmes and a supportive community that nurtures young talent from an early age. In these regions, football is more than a game; it is a pathway to a prosperous future away from antisocial activities. It unites communities, offering hope and inspiring dreams of glory in remote regions where opportunities are scarce.

As the evening clouds play hide and seek with Mizoram’s mountains, children kick the ball around at the Beck’s Academy in Tanhril, a few kilometres from Aizawl, the capital city. “I want to become a footballer and support my family,” said 13-year-old Lalhmingmawia, who lives with his single mother and 16-year-old sister.

Lalhmingmawia, a class-topper and avid Real Madrid fan, is a self-assured boy. He is well aware of his talent, and while he dreams of becoming a footballer, he is determined to work hard and pursue a career in the police force if football does not pan out. His mother, Lalthakimi, said: “His confidence comes from his football practice. Football has made him a sensible child.” The same was echoed by other parents, who consider football academies safe spaces.

The Beck’s Academy, headed by FIFA C licensed coach Ananad Gurung, has produced many young players who went on to train at the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Academy in Mumbai.

“In Mizoram, everyone wants to play football,” said Gurung. “But it’s not possible for everyone to be footballers. I keep them motivated. We teach them discipline and manners. These kids learn how to wash their clothes and shoes. They learn to practice their religion faithfully.”

The academy is one of many such entities in the state training football talent. Legends like Mama (Shylo Malsawmtluanga) and Jeje Lalpekhlua, and current stars like Lallianzuala Chhangte and Apuia (Lalengmawia Ralte), are all products of such academies.

The Mizoram government acknowledges the state’s football culture and potential. The Mizoram Football Association (MFA) and RFYC jointly organise the Naupang League, a grassroots football initiative. In its first season, over 1,500 children (U-5 to U-13) competed across Aizawl, Kolasib, Lunglei and Champhai districts for seven months.

Lalnghinglova Hmar, minister of state for sports and youth services department and president of the MFA, told THE WEEK that the future stars from the state would be at “higher levels” than even Chhangte, the Mizo Flash. “We produced players earlier as well when we didn’t have much facilities,” he said. “Competitions like Naupang League are now giving children exposure at a very early age.”

The minister emphasised the state’s senior leagues as key talent sources. ISL and I-League scouts monitor the Mizoram Premier League and the First Division (tier 2). The government allocates significant sports budget to football, with plans to enhance infrastructure through PSUs and private companies.

This systematic structure is a recent phenomenon. “Mama introduced professional football in Mizoram and Jeje took it to another level,” said John Zothansanga, a journalist and an author of Savun Hampuar: The Mizoram Football Story. “They demonstrated that football could be a pathway to prosperity and a secure future.”

However, even before the meteoric rises of Mama and Jeje, football in Mizoram was a way of life, literally. The state has weathered the storms of a turbulent past, marked by armed rebellion and a troubling drug epidemic. In response, the churches―the soul of Mizoram’s close-knit communities―championed football with the hope of keeping youth away from drugs and violence, offering the beautiful game as a path to purpose, camaraderie and redemption.

Additionally, Aizawl FC’s triumph in the 2016-17 I-League had a significant impact. The club’s owner, Robert Romawia Royte, described Aizawl’s success as a win for all of Mizoram. “We are deeply committed to grassroots development, with academies spread across the northeast,” he said. “We had an academy even in Myanmar at one point.”

Royte, a former sports minister, helped improved football infrastructure by installing many astroturfs, including at Kolasib district’s Regional Sports Training Centre, one of two residential football academies run by the Mizoram government.

As the sun begins to tint the morning sky with shades of orange, young footballers in Kolasib’s academy rise, at 5:45am, to the sound of their alarms. After a glass of milk and a packet of biscuit, they hit the field for two hours of practice. They return for their evening training at 3pm, after school. Once the evening session is over, they do their homework, play guitar, socialise, or go to the gym. Before lights are turned off at 9pm, most read the Bible for inspiration. It motivates them to reach their goal of making their community proud. In the words of 14-year-old Sebastian Vansangkima, a Manchester United fan who fell in love with football at four: “I want to play for Mizoram and make my family and state proud.”

Lalruatdika, Vansangkima’s 14-year-old friend at the academy, has the same goal. But, like most of the other children dreaming of a football career in Kolasib and across Mizoram, he has a personal reason, too. “My father is a carpenter; I want to become a footballer and earn enough money to support my family,” he said. Today, the children can sow the seeds of such lofty dreams because they have seen their seniors earning the dividends for all the effort they invested to become professional footballers.

And, it is not just the superstars who thrive. Football is a beacon of hope even for those who do not ascend to the illustrious heights of Chhangte or Apuia. Consider Isaac Vanmalsawma. An alumnus of Kolasib’s training centre, he has played for the senior national team just once and has not been a regular for his clubs in the last two ISL seasons. Yet, football has provided the 28-year-old a comfortable life. His exotic two-story house, overseeing the mountains at Durtlang on the outskirts of Aizawl, stands as a tangible manifestation of what the young footballers of Mizoram dream to achieve.

Vanmalsawma reflects on the transformative power of being selected for the academy, describing it as a gateway to a life of discipline and purpose. “Only a few become professional footballers,” he said. “But, the values that the academies instil in us stay with us. Students are regularly taken to the church and we make friends for life.”

A study by Richard Hood, former head of player development at the All India Football Federation and a UEFA A and AFC Pro licenced coach, analysed the number of Indian players and their playing time in the ISL, the I-League, and the senior, U-23, U-20 and U-17 national teams between 2002-03 and 2022-23. The study revealed that Mizoram, which is ranked 30 out of 36 Indian states and Union territories for population, contributes 13.41 per cent of players in the top two divisions and national men’s teams. A remarkable ratio, but only second―because Manipur is first.

The state, which is ranked 25 for population, contributes 17.58 per cent. According to the study, Manipuri footballers have accumulated the highest playing time, totalling more than 3.98 lakh minutes. Footballers from Mizoram come second with more than 3.03 lakh minutes.

The two states are connected by geography and their common interest in football, or perhaps, more fittingly, their culture of football. The densely forested hills of northeastern Mizoram extend to Manipur. Most of these hilly regions are inhabited by tribal communities.

Amid the ongoing ethnic conflict, football in tribal areas has suffered. Ngamgouhou Mate, a Kuki player from Manipur, led the U-16 India team to victory in the SAFF Championship last year. Alongside him were 15 others from the state, including 11 Meiteis and one Meitei Pangal (Manpuri Muslim). Sadly, many players could not fully enjoy their success.

Mate, Bharat Lairenjam, Levis Zangminlum, and others from Manipur, now in India’s U-17 squad, not to mention former India U-17 captain Korou Singh Thingujam who is now impressing in the ISL aged just 18, underline the state’s football achievements. The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) has played a pivotal role in this success story.

Thangjam Ibotombi, the technical coordinator of the AMFA, told THE WEEK that the Kuki players were being missed by the state’s football setup. “They are our main warriors,” he said. “Since the conflict, we haven’t been able to name any Kuki footballers in our state teams. We try to keep in touch with them and guide them as much as possible. That’s the least we can do.”

Despite challenges, the AMFA is dedicated to football development through its Blue Cubs programme in central Imphal. Children start training at seven or eight, with promising players advancing and joining state teams by ages 13 or 14 to compete in U-13 and U-15 leagues.

The AMFA is also training 23 children displaced by ethnic conflict, including 12-year-old Zenith from Leitanpokpi, Imphal East. He now lives with his family in a one-room home made of asbestos sheets in a settlement for internally displaced people on Imphal’s outskirts housing over 50 families.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Zenith, a diehard fan of Lionel Messi, wants to improve his family’s fortunes. “I started playing football in 2022 after watching it on TV,” he said. “I want to play for India.” The AMFA initiated the Blue Cubs programme to involve displaced children in football.

The association also organises the Manipur State League, including I-League clubs like NEROCA FC and TRAU FC, alongside top local teams. The Manipur Premier League and the AMFA Cup also generate revenue, supporting football development in Manipur.

There are many private academies across Manipur that identify and nurture football talent at various levels. The Classic Football Academy in Imphal, the most renowned youth training centre in Manipur, produces the state’s best talents. Six of the 14 Manipuri players in the U-17 India team are from the academy.

TYDA, a residential football academy in Bishnupur, focuses on grassroots development with leagues for U-7, U-9, and U-11 players. Many Manipur academies compete here. Malemngamba Singh Thokchom from TYDA is a U-20 international and Danish Singh was named player of the tournament at a La Liga youth tournament in Malaysia.

Dhiren Singh, the founder of TYDA, said his vision was to produce professional footballers who will play for India. “This year, we plan to participate in U-13, U-15 and U-17 AIFF Youth Leagues,” he said.

Meanwhile, the academy operated by NEROCA in Imphal’s Sangakpham offers an exemplary stand against the ongoing ethnic tension. Situated on a small and muddy field nestled between a church and a temple, this academy offers children more than just football training; it provides a powerful visual lesson in living harmoniously with diverse faiths.

In Manipur, football is viewed as a thriving industry, drawing substantial investments, including from prominent players. Former India international Renedy Singh leads the Classic Football Academy, while former Mohun Bagan player Sagolsem James Singh runs Poloi Football Academy. ISL player Tondonba Singh has invested in an Imphal-based academy managed by his brother.

“Since the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in India in 2017, when India had many players from Manipur, football has become way bigger than what it was earlier,” said James Singh. “Now even parents encourage their children to play football. Football keeps children fit and healthy. Even if they don’t make a career in football, they can join the Army and other government services.”

The Manipur government also sees football as an industry where investment can lead to positive growth. Phulendra Kumar, the sport director of the government of Manipur, told THE WEEK that there were 45 players from Manipur in the ISL and over 100 in I-League clubs, and Services and Railways. “These players generate a revenue of more than Rs15 crore a month,” he said. “Football is a human resource industry in Manipur. The government provides Rs3 lakh each to every state league club, Rs50-60 lakh to I-League 2/3 clubs and Rs1 crore to clubs playing in the I-League. The government is planning to build one astroturf football ground in every assembly constituency. It will build a residential football academy which will have the capacity to accommodate 300 students.”

Undoubtedly, Manipur serves as the cradle of Indian football. The state emphasises coaching development through AIFF, AFC and FIFA licensing programmes. With international training, these coaches play a crucial role in enhancing Manipur’s ability to identify and nurture talented footballers.

If yesteryear stars such as Renedy and Gourmangi Singh offered a fleeting glimpse of the boundless potential football held for Manipur, today, that vision stands realised through the brilliance Udanta Singh, Jeakson Singh and Naorem Mahesh Singh. And, they are but the brightest stars in a galaxy, which also has the likes of Tondonba and Soraisham Dinesh Singh, who are yet to wear the senior team national jersey and secure a regular spot at ISL clubs. As in the case of Vanmalsawma, football has already given them and their families a life of prosperity.

These players, however, are shaping destinies beyond their own. Tondonba’s academy, for instance, has sown the seeds of hope among many in Sangakpham. “He knows the taste of success in football and so he wants our children also to make a good living through football,” said Tondonba’s brother Ngasepam Tomarjit Singh, himself a pro footballer. His mother, Sharmila Singh, joins us in their new, under-construction house adjacent to their old shanty of tin and asbestos. “Both my sons play football and the sport has now blessed us enough. The brothers now want to do something for the community,” the proud mother said.

Sharmila stands as a shining testament to the many mothers of Manipur and Mizoram who quietly wove dreams for their children through the threads of sacrifice. Time and again, they set aside their own dreams to ensure their sons and daughters could chase the promise of football.

“The football academies give our children a sense of community and belonging,” said 48-year-old Boinu, the mother of 12-year-old Vanlalruata, at the Beck’s Academy in Mizoram’s Tanhril. “Football instructors motivate them to study and stay away from drugs and social media. This guidance in their cognitive years will help them in their physical and mental growth.”

The combined playing time of footballers from Manipur and Mizoram―more than 7 lakh minutes, as per the Hood study―nearly matches the combined playing time of footballers from the next three states (West Bengal, Punjab and Goa). As per AIFF records, more than 7,000 players from the two northeastern states have renewed their registrations across different age categories. It seems India’s football factories have no intention of slowing down.

former-indian-cricketers-mohinder-amarnath-and-rajender-amarnath-interview

Mon Dec 16 17:44:44 IST 2024

Interview/ Mohinder Amarnath, 1983 World Cup winner, and Rajender Amarnath, former cricketer and author

If Mohinder Amarnath’s life was a movie, it would be a franchise with too many sequels to count. He describes it as a ‘Hitchcock thriller’. The son of Lala Amarnath would grow up to be a fine cricketer―the man of the match in the 1983 World Cup final―but he would also learn quickly that the famous last name was a double-edged sword. Dropped repeatedly from the team, Mohinder had to, he says, prove his worth every time to claw his way back. And claw he did.Now, more than 50 years since his international debut, Jimmy, along with younger brother Rajender, has recapped his story in around 450 pages full of grit, humour, triumph and despair. In an interview with THE WEEK, the Amarnath brothers talk about the process of writing the book and how their cricket world compares to the one they see now.

Q/ You saw the advent of Kerry Packer cricket, and you once signed a contract to play for him. Do you think the same thing is happening with the T20 leagues mushrooming all over the world? Do you think these leagues will take promising youngsters away from other formats?

A/ I think it’s all about the money. You can make good bucks and you’ll be comfortable in life. The foreign players think differently. Especially when they are in their 30s, they feel they don’t have much of a future. The other boards don’t have [as] much money to pay them like the Indian board does. So they want to go and play these T20 leagues in various countries to earn more quickly. But there is nothing more prestigious or satisfying than representing your country.

Q/ Rajender, you have now written a book on your brother as well as your father. How would you compare the writing processes?

A/ When I was writing Papaji’s book, he had expired. [I wrote that] book because not many people knew about him. He was the first icon of Indian cricket; he got a century [on debut] in 1933 against England. He lost so much of his cricket, his prime, because of World War II. People just knew him as the stormy petrel of Indian cricket. So when I wrote that book, it was basically a tribute from a son to a father.

Coming to Jimmy... I didn’t know much about him though he was my brother. It was when I started writing that I said, ‘Oh my God, you take a celebrity who’s your brother for granted, you didn’t know the kind of turmoil he has gone through.’ He was dropped, he came back, he was dropped again, he came back. But what went on inside his mind, I didn’t know till I started writing the book.

Q/ Jimmy, how did you mentally deal with the repeated exclusions?

A/ I never plan anything for tomorrow, and I never believed in yesterday. I just wanted to live for the day. And I always used to tell myself that I’m good enough to be a part of the team. And whenever I got a raw deal, I knew I could definitely make a comeback. But I had to work even harder than the previous comeback, because then I had to prove myself once again. The rules were different for an Amarnath. If I was playing for some other state, and if I had some other surname, I probably wouldn’t have been out of the team at all. But that kept me going. I just didn’t want to take things lying down. [I wanted] to prove people wrong.

Q/ You played against the great West Indies teams. You write about how some Indian batters would walk at even half-hearted appeals rather than stand and face the fast bowlers. West Indies Test cricket is currently not at the same level. However, we saw the current team beat Australia in a day-night Test in Brisbane earlier this year. Do you think they could touch their past heights again?

A/ I have my doubts. When you see the current players, they don’t have in them what yesteryear players had.... They will win one or two Tests overseas. They will be very good in the shorter version because the temperament suits them. [But] the real test is Test cricket, which they are lacking in.

In the olden days, a lot of cricketers used to play county cricket in England, especially till the 1990s. So, I think they had the experience and they knew how to play in different conditions. I don’t see that happening with the current West Indian players. Maybe they will produce one or two players in a classical way. But otherwise, I think they’ll only be good in the shorter versions.

Q/ You also write about your time playing in Pakistan. What was your relationship with their players? And what do you think of the situation now? Do you think India and Pakistan should play bilaterally?

A/ In my time, you played hard. Both teams were representing their country and trying to give their best. What happens on the field, you don’t take it to the dressing room or to the hotel. Being a Punjabi, I can relate with them better.

They would never say anything to me, probably because of my father, who was considered a local as he grew up in Lahore. There was a lot of respect for him. Coming to today’s cricket, I don’t think we should play Pakistan at all until there is peace on the border. Whatever problems we are facing are coming from that side. We all know that, the whole world knows that. If one soldier dies, he has sacrificed his life for India. So why should we go and play cricket in Pakistan? I’m sure that the government knows what is supposed to be done.

Q/ Rajender, when you’re writing about your sibling, especially the childhood bits, there may be differences in how you remember events. In that case, whose version do you go with?

A/ Actually, most of the anecdotes of his childhood were told to us by my mother. Whenever Jimmy would come from Bombay to Delhi to meet our mother, I also used to be there. She would tease Jimmy by telling us all the stories... and it just stuck in my brain. And when we were writing, I told Jimmy that I remember all these stories. He said, “Oh, wonderful. Let’s put them in.”

Q/ Jimmy, being an accomplished all-rounder yourself, why do you think India is not able to produce many fast-bowling all-rounders in Tests?

A/ I don’t know. I think it comes from within yourself, to become an all-rounder. Because when I was young, I used to bowl a lot. And I would bat in the middle order. I think the [credit] goes to Papaji because he always wanted all three brothers to do different things. I feel if you are an all-rounder, you will be a rare thing in the team. In India, we see all-rounders in spinners, not in pace bowlers any more. Like [Ravindra] Jadeja is a genuine all-rounder.

It comes from within yourself, whether you’re happy doing one thing or you want to do two because it’s taxing also. A lot of batters will just bowl a little in the nets. Not seriously, just to warm up or maybe if they are short of bowlers. The only genuine [pace-bowling] all-rounder I can think of is Kapil Dev.

Q/ Any advice for the Indian team in Australia right now?

A/ No, they don’t need advice. You don’t become bad [overnight] if you lose. We are emotional people. When we lose, we just put them down. There are still three more Tests. Conditions will change from venue to venue. I think it’s going to be a tough series for both teams. India have the experience and some quality players. They have to pick the right combination wherever they play. Jadeja has to be there.

fearless-a-memoir-by-mohinder-amarnath-with-rajender-amarnath-harper-collins

Sat Dec 14 17:33:35 IST 2024

World Cup, 1975

India lost one match after another in this competition, except against East Africa. The dismal performance in the World Cup left a lone contender, Sunil Gavaskar, to assume the responsibility. But an innings of 36 not out from 174 balls in the 60-over match against England exposed his attitude. Watching a truly unusual batting display, the other batsmen banged the dressing room wall with their fists and muttered a few objectionable words. At this stage, a couple of MCC members came to the Indian dressing room and pleaded with the manager to recall the slow batsman. A moment later, the manager instructed Abid Ali, Farokh Engineer, Madan Lal and me to get padded. There was great confusion as to who would go next if a wicket fell. When Gavaskar returned to the dressing room undefeated, however, there was no remorse. It sealed his fate to become the next captain of India.

Pakistan, 1978

When [Gundappa] Vishwanath occupied the crease at 2/183, replacing Surinder Amarnath, Sarfraz [Nawaz] started bowling a series of bouncers that Vishwanath was unable to reach even if he went up on his toes, and the umpires refused to declare them as wide balls. Bishan [Singh Bedi] was furious; the laws of one-day cricket were being blatantly ignored by the men in white coats. When the pace bowlers continued the unfair practice and umpires connived with them, Bishan became very upset. In disgust, he recalled both the batsmen to the pavilion. No amount of cajoling by the Pakistan Cricket Board officials could change his mind till one of the officials produced a classic solution. He advised the skipper to send someone taller to reach the ball! Nothing more hilarious could have come at this tense moment! It was an extraordinary cricketing phenomenon, both on the field and in the pavilion. It was the first and last time a side in a winning position walked out due to shabby umpiring and lost a match by default. India lost the series, 2-1.

West Indies, 1976

The three-star ‘Britto Hotel’, overlooking the beach, was comfortable as well as enjoyable. The facilities were marvellous and the staff courteous. This became evident when the manager of the hotel took extra care of Madan Lal. The rustic Amritsar boy presumed it was a privilege to be served by the manager of the hotel early in the morning with tea, cookies and pastries. The service continued after the practice session and late into the evening. Madan Lal was enjoying exclusive service till this gentleman started touching his fingers while serving tea. Initially, Madan ignored it but the manager’s infatuation for the muscular, good-looking Punjabi did not stop there. One fine morning, Madan was rudely woken from his sleep; a soft hand was on his cheeks. That was it; Madan Lal told him in Punjabi English: ‘You will not get what you are looking for!’ The way he narrated the incident in the dressing room had us doubled over with laughter!

Excerpted with permission from HarperCollins Publishers India

FEARLESS: A MEMOIR

By Mohinder Amarnath with Rajender Amarnath

Published by HarperCollins Publishers India

Price Rs559; pages 464

india-australia-border-gavaskar-trophy-jasprit-bumrah-performance

Mon Dec 02 11:58:25 IST 2024

INDIA’S 295-RUN VICTORY in the first Test in Perth left not just the Aussies, but also the entire cricket world in disbelief. Bundled out for 150 in the first innings on a fiery pitch, India looked to be down for the count. How soon India would lose and by what margin were the major points of debate at that stage.

What transpired thereafter makes for one of the most melodramatic stories in Test cricket history, as India turned the match on its head in a remarkable display of self-belief and fantastic all-round skills.

Spanking centuries by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, sublime batting at the top by K.L. Rahul, telling all-round performances by young Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, and feisty pace bowling by Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana were stellar contributions to India’s triumph. But none of these was as significant and eye-catching as Jasprit Bumrah’s tour de force performance.

As captain, he led from the front, showing guts and imagination. The manner in which he marshalled the bowling―the changes he rang in and the fields he set―allowed the Aussie batters no respite. But it was as a bowler that Bumrah touched truly great heights.

His opening spells in both innings were devastating. In the first, he got three early wickets to leave the Aussies in tatters. They could muster only 104 and conceded a psychologically crucial lead of 46 runs. In the second innings, on day three, he picked up two wickets that made saving the match an impossibility for the Aussies.

Bumrah’s eight wickets in the match came in just 30 overs, at an economy of under three and an average of nine! But more than these impressive stats, it was how Bumrah psyched the Australian batters that was enthralling to watch. None had any answer to his probing accuracy, control and wide repertoire of skills.

In their pomp, legendary fast bowlers like Harold Larwood, Frank Tyson, Wes Hall, Fred Trueman, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Malcolm Marshall, Mike Holding, Imran Khan, Wasim-and-Waqar, Allan Donald, Curtly Ambrose and Dale Steyn, to name a few, would spread dread among batters even as they marked their run-up.

Bumrah, in his prime now, is of the same ilk. Every time he had ball in hand, he looked like taking a wicket, while the batters looked spooked and doomed.

There are few matches in history when one player, batter or bowler, has played an overwhelmingly influential role. When this happens, the match is ascribed to that particular player as a testimony to his achievement―like Vinoo Mankad (Lord’s, vs England, 1952) or Ian Botham (Headingley, vs Australia, 1981). India vs Australia, Perth, 2024, will go down as ‘Bumrah’s Test’.

Before the series began, most attention was focused on Virat Kohli, whose Jedi-like batting on past tours Down Under had made him a cult hero. Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami, as much for their wondrous skills as the fact that they were missing the first Test, were behind Kohli in the volume and tenor of discussions. A nudge further behind were Rishabh Pant, hero in the 2021- series win, and the marvellous spin pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Bumrah was important, of course, but the spotlight wasn’t trained on him. This virtuoso performance has catapulted him into the lead role for India for the rest of the series.

What makes Bumrah special? “High skills, determination and discipline to put in the hard yards in practice, the capacity to imbibe lessons quickly, and strong desire,” former India head coach Ravi Shastri has often mentioned. It was under Shastri and captain Kohli that Bumrah, then a white-ball specialist, got his Test break in South Africa in 2017-18. “To succeed overseas, we knew we needed fast bowlers with stamina, aggression and ambition,” said Shastri. “We had Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. Bumrah, with his awkward action, sharp pace and immaculate control, gave the attack a greater edge.”

Bumrah hasn’t looked back since, and has in fact become India’s best all-format bowler, and the go-to man for captains looking for a breakthrough.

His bowling style is unorthodox, but nearly 10 years into international cricket, he has belied fears of breaking down and having a truncated career. He has had a major injury that kept him out for about a year, but he returned stronger, more skilful and versatile.

Immaculate control over line and length, ability to swing the ball either way, astute use of the width of the crease and the crafty angles he works out, and how he outthinks batters mark him out as a maestro.

His brilliance at Perth, where he made the Aussie pace troika of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins look pedestrian in comparison, has put him on a pedestal. There was unanimity of opinion, among experts and fans alike, that Bumrah is currently the world’s No. 1 fast bowler. This is borne out by his career stats so far―in 41 Tests, he has 181 wickets at an average 20.06, economy of 2.75 and a strike rate of 43.6. In the other two formats, they are just as incredible. If he can retain his fitness, Bumrah looks destined to find a place in the pantheon of all-time great fast bowlers. To twist the title of a television show that was hugely popular: Jassi jaisa koi nahin.

india-australia-test-series-indian-team-swot-analysis

Sat Nov 23 15:43:42 IST 2024

Approaching the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s prospects loomed in uncertainty over the availability, fitness and form of some key players. Captain Rohit Sharma did not fly to Australia because his wife was expecting their second child. After protracted suspense, we now know he will miss the first Test starting in Perth on November 22.

Mohammed Shami will also miss that game. Out of cricket for almost a year for surgery and rehab, Shami came back with seven wickets in a Ranji match last week. But the BCCI has decided to put his fitness to more test before sending him to Australia.

Meanwhile, an injury to Shubman Gill in a warm-up game compelled a change in the batting line-up for the first Test on what promises to be a spicy Perth pitch.

The five-Test series is crucial for both teams on different counts. Qualifying for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in mid-2025 is the crux of India’s campaign. This comes loaded with steep challenge after the shocking whitewash by New Zealand at home last month.

Before this rout, India were sitting pretty atop the WTC points table. Having slipped a place, they must beat Australia 4-0 to be guaranteed a place in the final. Metaphorically, it is like climbing Mount Everest in blistery conditions.

The India versus Australia rivalry, thoroughly one-sided till the 2000s, took a dramatic twist in 2001 when Steve Waugh’s marauding side failed to conquer the ‘final frontier’. Since then, the contests have got more intense and riveting. India zoomed ahead after 2017, signalling a major shift in the power matrix of the sport.

Seeing the high degree of anticipation over the impending series, it could be argued that India versus Australia is perhaps even bigger than the Ashes!

So, how do the teams square up for this series? The quality of talent in both teams is more or less equal, which makes intensity of effort, sustenance of form over a month, and ability to handle acute pressure as crucial, if not more, than just cricketing skills.

These are the attributes that helped India overwhelm Australia four times in a row; these are the very attributes which were missing from India’s performance against New Zealand, which makes them appear wobbly, apart from the fact of Sharma and Shami missing the start.

The Aussies, sensing this vulnerability, have turned the heat on the Indian team. Broadsides have been fired at the tepid form of Virat Kohli, who enjoys cult status in Australia, as well as Sharma.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting had questioned the form of Kohli, sparking a war of words with India’s coach Gautam Gambhir. Former pace ace Glenn McGrath claimed that Kohli is under pressure and told the Aussies to go hard at him.

The Aussies sense rightly that if Sharma and Kohli are stifled, India’s chances of winning get considerably reduced. In the evening of their careers, these two, as well as R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja―who have been hugely responsible in making India the top team across formats for over a decade―have to prove that their prowess is undiminished. The need for a generational shift in Indian cricket, discussed in muted tones for the past couple of months, could become a clamour if the ‘fantastic four’ don’t pull their weight in this series.

What does it take to beat Australia? For former captain Ravi Shastri, the formula is fairly simple. Stare them down, sledge more than them, and be smarter than them on and off the field.

Shastri is not above some bombast, but his track record validates what he says. He was coach when India won in Australia for the first time ever in 2018, and perhaps even more memorably in 2021 with a team hit by injuries.

Here’s my SWOT analysis for India.

STRENGTHS

Till the turn of the century, batting was India’s strength, home or away. Remarkably, this has now been flipped. More sporting pitches in domestic cricket and subsequently the huge demand created by the IPL has resulted in a proliferation of bowling talent of high quality and variety. Most of India’s wins, and especially in Australia in 2018 and 2021, have been fashioned by bowlers.

The biggest gain has been in the pace department. India now boasts perhaps the best fast-bowling resources along with Australia. Leading the attack is Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the world’s most skilful and lethal bowler.

The support cast includes the aggressive and tireless Mohammed Siraj, and a host of ambitious youngsters in Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep.

The spin department features Ashwin and Jadeja―who have almost 850 wickets between them―and Washington Sundar, who was the stellar performer against New Zealand at home recently. The Indian bowling is well-rounded and potent. The Aussies should not expect any respite.

WEAKNESSES

Basic scrutiny of India’s major setbacks in recent years―in the two World Test Championship finals, defeats at home to England and Australia, and most notably against New Zealand―reveals that the much-vaunted batting has failed.

On paper, India’s batting is still among the most formidable in the world. In high-pressure contests and situations, though, it has fizzled more than it has sizzled. After galloping to 27 Test centuries in eight years, Kohli has added only two more in the next five. His Test average has taken a severe dent, too. And though he has a fabulous record in Australia, he does not appear invincible as of yore.

Sharma, who can be sublime and/or destructive when in good fettle, suddenly suffered a dramatic slump in form in the past five Tests at home. As a leading batter, his form at the top is crucial to how the rest of the batting shapes up.

Rahul, also vastly experienced, has been in limp form. With the three big guns struggling, the onus gets heavier on the younger batters, a few of them on their first tour of Australia.

While the team has scintillating stroke-players, some experts say that India’s batting lacks the patience, resilience and dogged determination of batters like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who were key on the past two trips. How much will this hurt?

OPPORTUNITIES

Australia provides the most hostile environment for overseas cricketers. The assault from Australian players on the field, and from fans and the media beyond, is relentless and can be unnerving.

But the Aussies also take to their heart players who show the stomach for a fight. Given the challenges involved, success Down Under can make a young player into a superstar overnight, pushing good players to greatness as history suggests.

Kapil Dev in 1980-81, Sachin Tendulkar in 1991-92, Virender Sehwag in 2003-04 and Kohli in 2014-15 are some examples. Subsequently, they built on this to get into the hallowed portal of all-time greats.

The current team is flush with talented youngsters who can make this quantum jump. Rishabh Pant, with his wondrous exploits on the last tour, is the prime candidate to get into this cluster. For the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Sundar and Siraj―some of whom have been around for a few years―this could be a tour that gives their career a soaring trajectory.

THREATS

These come from all quarters playing in Australia. On the field, India have to face a team seeking revenge for the humiliation of losing four series on the trot. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood make for a deadly pace trio and, in spin, there is the masterful Nathan Lyon who, if not better than Ashwin, is not a whit behind.

There is the dazzling Travis Head, who almost single-handedly beat India in the 2023 WTC and ODI World Cup finals. And don’t forget Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh, who make for a powerful line-up though there is a void at the top with David Warner’s departure.

Then there’s the constant, harsh and probing scrutiny by former players and critics, and the baying crowds who will want to unsettle the players. Don’t forget the pitches, with disconcerting pace and bounce, which have often seen the ruin of visiting teams.

The biggest threat to India comes from what Shastri highlights: self-belief. If India lack this, the series can’t be won.

pep-guardiola-moulding-two-ballon-dor-winners-lionel-messi-and-rodri

Mon Nov 11 19:50:29 IST 2024

Manchester City were struggling. Over an hour into the 2022-2023 UEFA Champions League final, they had failed to break down a resolute Inter Milan. City were trying to match the feat of their Manchester rivals―a European treble. But, as the match wore on, their Italian opponents had looked increasingly comfortable in defence and given the City defence some scares. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne had been forced off in the first half with an injury and 50-goal striker Erling Haaland had been neutralised. Pep Guardiola, who was trying to become the first manager to win two European trebles, had made no change since he introduced Phil Foden for De Bruyne. As it turned out, he did not need to; because, he had already done his work on the training ground.

Guardiola’s saviour that night was Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as Rodri. His strike from just inside the box sealed City’s 1-0 win and the treble. “When I reference Pep, I have to talk with my hands; I have to find a table, or a board and I have to move around coffee cups, like he does,” Rodri wrote about his manager in The Players’ Tribune. “‘He will go here and then bang―you move here, into space. Bang.’ He added that final mental piece of the puzzle. ‘Seeing’ the game differently. ‘Feeling’ it―when to move into space, when to hold back. When to press, when to ease off.”

That is exactly what Rodri did to score the winner that night. “It was not calculation,” he said. “It was a feeling. The second before Bernardo [Silva] put in the cross, I was far away from the play. On the TV replay, you can’t even see me. But, I took one step forward, the ball was deflected. I saw the ball bouncing toward me.” A few long steps later, he calmly passed the ball into the net. “I ran off and did a knee slide in front of our fans, and then my first thought was: 20 more minutes. F****** hell. Long way. That’s the mind of a No. 6.” Rodri performed his defensive role with panache as the team saw off the remaining 20 minutes.

He was named the best player of the 2022-23 Champions League, made the Premier League team of the year and was nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. But, he never stood a chance of winning it that year―the award has always been skewed in favour of attacking players. Rodri finished fifth with Lionel Messi winning his eighth Ballon d’Or (De Bruyne was fourth and Haaland second for their attacking contributions to City’s treble). In 2024, without Ballon d’Or-hoggers Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the fray, it was a much more open contest. And, Rodri had also stepped up his game to show unprecedented influence from the defensive midfield position.

Though Real Madrid threw a hissy fit―unworthy of the world’s greatest football club―on learning that Vinicius Jr had not won, it is tough to legitimately argue that anyone had outperformed Rodri in the 2023-24 season. But, more on that later.

When he won the 2024 Ballon d’Or on October 28, Rodri became the first defence-focused player to win the award since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 (2018-winner Luka Modric is capable of operating in defensive midfield, but he primarily played a more advanced role in the 2017-18 season and the 2018 World Cup) and the first Spaniard to win since Luis Suárez in 1960.

With Rodri’s win, Guardiola also achieved the rare distinction of guiding two players to the prestigious award. No doubt, Messi could have won many Ballons d’Or even if he was never coached by Guardiola, but his first Ballon d’Or came after Guardiola’s first treble win with Barcelona in 2008-09.

Guardiola had markedly different jobs with Messi and Rodri. When he took over at Barcelona in 2008, Messi was already one of the best players in the world―he was second, behind Ronaldo, in the 2008 Ballon d’Or―and had played four full seasons in the Barcelona senior team. Guardiola knew that the 21-year-old had the potential to be special―“the most complete player I have ever seen”, in his words. He has often said that he did not have to teach Messi, as he already knew. But, Guardiola played a key part in setting Messi on the path to being an all-time great.

Guardiola realised that instead of overwhelming Messi with too many instructions, he just had to create the right structure in the team around the Argentine. The false-nine role allowed Messi to have maximum impact and his numbers skyrocketed. He won four consecutive Ballons d’Or (including the rebranded FIFA Ballon d’Or) from 2009 to 2012. It is telling that after Guardiola left Barcelona in 2012, Messi only won one of the next six Ballons d’Or.

While Guardiola and Messi were scripting history with the all-conquering Barcelona team of the time, Rodri was in the youth academy of Atlético Madrid. Education was important to his family and his father wanted him to do an exchange year in the US. But, that was impossible alongside his youth football career. So, as a compromise, at 14, he went to a summer camp in Connecticut―“S’mores. Incredible.” But, being at the camp meant that he could not watch the 2010 World Cup. He kept track by asking the people in charge to check results.

Spain lost the first game. (“Switzerland? Really? You sure you Googled it right?”) As Spain improved and progressed deep into the tournament, a young Rodri felt like he was “dying”. He got permission to watch the final on a 10-inch-screen computer that the camp had. “I don’t know how we did it, we were in the middle of the woods, but I must have found a stream that was not exactly legal,” he said. “I watched, surrounded by Americans who didn’t care.”

When Spain won, he sprinted out and started screaming. “Vamooooos... Viva España! The Americans thought I was crazy,” he recalled. “‘Wait, is the Spanish guy crying? Over the sawker?’”

After returning to Spain, he continued to juggle his football career and education. At 17, he moved to Villarreal’s youth academy and enrolled in Jaume I University. When he turned 18, he was no longer eligible to live in the academy. So, he moved into the university hostel. Training, attending class and showing up with sparkling water as others drank. He would disappear when it was time to go to the club. Soon, he was ‘caught’ for never going to the club and had to ‘confess’ that he played football and therefore had to sleep early. “Lame, bro,” he was told. After he broke into the first team and started playing in La Liga, the reaction changed to: “What are you even doing here man? You were playing Barcelona last night!”

University, where he also met his partner, Laura, kept him grounded. After graduating in business administration and management, a different kind of education was awaiting Rodri. Two distinct styles of football. First, back at Atlético, he learned to be a ‘bad guy’ under Diego Simeone. Alongside his well-rounded technical skills, this new-found, tough side convinced Guardiola that Rodri would fit in at City after just one season back in Madrid. City shelled out a then club record ￡62.8 million in 2019 to make it happen.

The 23-year-old was nervous before meeting Guardiola. But, the relationship started well, helped by Rodri’s penchant for learning. “He’s told me three or four concepts I didn’t know... I’m excited to get started,” Rodri told Sky Sports News in 2019.

Guardiola has never quite got over the Messi hangover. In 2015, for example, Messi was en route to his fifth Ballon d’Or. In the Champions League semifinals, Barcelona beat Guardiola’s Bayern Munich 5-3 on aggregate. Ahead of the matches, when asked how he was going to contain his former No. 10, he said there was no defence that can stop Messi.

In Rodri, Guardiola saw a technically gifted midfielder who was already close to the best in his position, but one who could be moulded further―into the perfect modern defensive midfielder. He became obsessed with this new project, similar to how he had made it his mission to pave the way for Messi. He is even said to have stepped in during training to correct Rodri’s position by mere inches. By 2021, Rodri was ready to take on the world and stamp his authority on it.

That is when the manager and his new ward came up against the monster Guardiola had created at Barcelona. Rodri, still keen to impress after two seasons with his new manager, volunteered to man-mark Messi. Guardiola said his plan was not to mark Messi closely. Instead, he was focused on controlling the space around Messi. It did not work the first time, with Messi scoring in a 2-0 PSG win. But, the next time the teams met, Guardiola and Rodri got the win. The refusal to make tactical changes to deal with Messi’s threat showed Guardiola’s confidence in Rodri’s positional football intelligence.

Guardiola’s philosophy of monitoring the spaces, rather than opposition players, has been key to the now-injured Rodri’s development into the best defensive midfielder in world football.

In 2023-24, Vinicius was the best attacker in the world, but Rodri was undoubtedly the best player. From February 2023 to May 2024, Rodri’s club was unbeaten for 74 games when he played―a new world record, as per the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. Similarly, he did not lose with club or country for 73 games, (this is third, according to IFFHS, behind Italy’s Demetrio Albertini and Paolo Maldini). Apart from his defensive work and flawless controlling of the game, he had 12 goals and 15 assists for club and country. That is only 11 goal contributions behind Vinicius! While Vinicius was the best player in Real’s successful Champions League campaign, Rodri was player of the tournament in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. So, for 2023-24, it is unfair to begrudge Rodri his award―any such perception is a result of recency bias (Vinicius has been the best footballer on the planet in the early stages of 2024-25).

What has elevated Rodri’s game to the level of being a worthy Ballon d’Or winner is his involvement in the attack. For instance, in 2023-24, he was first in the Premier League for carries (2,513), passes into the final third (378) and progressive passes (376). Perhaps most impressively, he had the highest rate of involvement in open-play sequences resulting in shots―8.4 per 90 minutes―ahead of even star attackers such as Phil Foden (7.8), Martin Odegaard (7.7), Bukayo Saka (7.5) and Mohamed Salah (7.3).

And, in this regard, Guardiola’s imprint on him is indelible. While the manager’s role with Messi may have been more as an enabler of talent and instincts, he was vital in the Argentine developing the way he did. That is just what great managers do: give players what they need to become the best they can.

an-attacking-high-risk-approach-could-well-become-the-staple-of-test-cricket

Sat Oct 19 14:48:26 IST 2024

Test cricket, considered the most conservative and sedate of the three formats, seems to be undergoing a dramatic makeover, if two matches played recently are any indication.

In the second India-Bangladesh Test in Kanpur, the hosts forced a seven-wicket win in just over two days in a rain-curtailed match. On the face of it, this may seem unremarkable: history shows some matches have been briefer. Also, Bangladesh isn’t exactly the strongest side playing currently.

However, what set this game apart was the manner in which India changed the tempo to chase victory when the pitch and situation suggested a draw was the likely outcome.

The match was turned on its head by India’s high-octane batting. Scoring at more than eight runs an over, India overhauled Bangladesh’s score in double quick time, declaring with a 52-run lead to take the attack to Bangladesh again, this time with ball.

Under pressure, Bangladesh wilted, leaving cricket watchers the world over in awe at India’s ruthless, relentless quest for victory.

Less than a fortnight later, England pulled off an equally dramatic win over Pakistan on a flat, run-loaded pitch at Multan.

Batting first, Pakistan posted a whopping 556, a score that foretold a dull and dreary draw unless the pitch started misbehaving badly. Instead, the England batters, throwing caution to the wind, not only chased Pakistan’s score with gusto, but overhauled it in commanding fashion.

Joe Root, riding a magnificent purple patch, hit a double century. And the precocious Harry Brook hammered 317, the second fastest triple century in Test history behind Virender Sehwag (against South Africa in Chennai, 2008).

England scored 823 at more than five runs an over! Pakistan were so shell-shocked that they crumbled for 220 on a pitch that still played true, leaving England winners by an innings and 47 runs.

What do these two matches tell us about the future of Tests? Were these happenstance outcomes or do they suggest a trend? Is an attacking, high-risk approach going to be the staple of Test cricket going ahead, and will it help reinvigorate the format?

I am inclined to go with the latter. As a Test cricket die-hard, I see the new ethos promising enough to make the longest format more result-driven, exciting and durable.

While the spotlight has been on aggressive batting, this is not the only reason I am optimistic. Batting exploits and achievements generally get more attention in the sport. But as the old saying goes, it is bowling that wins matches.

At Kanpur and in Multan, the results would not have been in favour of India and England had the bowlers and fielders not delivered.

While excellence in all three departments is a prerequisite for success in the sport, what is truly transforming Tests is the change in the mindset of the players, particularly of those in charge of teams. The pursuit of victory has become fundamental. Captains are willing to take high risks, at times even tempting defeat. This cultural shift has become more pronounced in recent years, England leading the way with BazBall under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and India willing to take it a step further under Rohit Sharma.

Test results have been on the upswing since the turn of the century, but have seen a sharp rise in the past decade going by the last two cycles of the World Test Championship, which has given five-day cricket a more significant locus standi than before. In the 2019-2021 cycle, 120 matches were played, of which eight ended in draws. In the ongoing 2023-25 cycle, only three of 88 matches played so far have resulted in draws.

How much is the growth of T20 influencing this change?

Quite substantially, and contrary to all initial apprehensions, in a positive way. Batters have become more adventurous. Lofted shots, once anathema in red-ball cricket, are commonplace now. It was feared T20 would ruin bowling, but that threat hasn’t held true. Bowlers have adjusted, become experimental, and made their skills more nuanced to succeed in T20s and in other formats. Fielding has perhaps gained the most from T20: cricketers, traditionally picked for their specific skills, have to first be athletes now to play in any format.

Technical aspects aside, huge financial rewards from T20 have made the future of players more secure and hence they are not averse to taking risk. Simultaneously, intense competition, including from teammates, is compelling players to constantly sharpen their skills.

There are fall-outs, too, no doubt. Not all players can adjust to all formats easily and the casualty rate is high. Careers can be short-lived. That said, the best players adapt and have long, fruitful careers.

The bigger concern is the proliferation of cash-rich T20 leagues luring away high-quality Test cricketers, as has been evident from the struggles of the West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This is widening the chasm between the top four-five teams and the rest, which needs to be addressed.

Test cricket is the original, some say purest, form of the game. Most players, even in this three-format era, swear by it as their most preferred. Yet, retaining the relevance of Test cricket remains the biggest challenge for administrators and players alike.

An environment that encourages players to give their best without compromising on being fiercely competitive on the field is the panacea that Test cricket needs. Bold, imaginative leadership, fair selection and stable administration to diminish fear of failure among players are ingredients that will give this ethos good health. Though Test cricket is rocking like never before, I must end with a caveat: drawn Tests can also be intensely dramatic and rewarding for players and fans alike, and must not be obfuscated in reckless pursuit of glory.

ravichandran-ashwin-and-ravindra-jadeja-are-closer-to-kapil-dev-on-the-list-of-indias-best-test-all-rounders

Sat Sep 28 15:25:56 IST 2024

India beat Bangladesh by a whopping 280 runs in the first Test in Chennai, but it is moot if the victory would have been so facile without stellar contributions from all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

India were 144-6 in the first innings before the two put on 199 runs to take the team to a strong 376. From there on, they switched on their formidable spin-bowling skills to seal the issue.

In India’s imposing home record (17 Test series wins on the trot before the current Bangladesh one), this duo has played a crucial role. However, what makes the Ashwin-Jadeja tandem fascinating is that both are spinners in the same team. Generally, as the history of Test cricket shows, when a team has had more than one high-quality all-rounder, it has been two quicks who can bat, or a fast bowler and a spinner who can wield the willow.

Scrolling down teams with two or more fast bowling all-rounders since World War II, here is what we find. Bradman’s Invincibles had Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall, South Africa in the late 1960s and 70s had Eddie Barlow and Mike Procter, the West Indies in the late 1950s and early 60s had Garfield Sobers (who could bowl all styles) and Frank Worrell, Pakistan in the 1980s had Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, and New Zealand had Richard Hadlee and Lance Cairns in the same period. In the 1990s and 2000s, South Africa had Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener.

As for teams boasting a fast bowling and a spin all-rounder, there was Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson (Australia), Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri (India), Imran Khan and Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan), Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori (New Zealand), and Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka).

But the list of teams having more than one world-class spin bowling all-rounder is meagre. Fred Titmus and Ray Illingworth for England, Intikhab Alam and Mushtaq Mohammad in the same period for Pakistan, and currently, Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for Bangladesh are the names that come to mind. And none from this list comes even close to Ashwin and Jadeja, statistically.

Ashwin has 522 wickets, 3,000-plus runs and six Test centuries. Jadeja, in 28 fewer Tests, has 299 wickets, 3,000-plus runs and four Test centuries. These stats put them in the upper echelons of Test cricket all-rounders. So, where would Ashwin and Jadeja stand among Indian all-rounders?

In all such debates involving players and their performances from different eras, reaching a hard conclusion is near impossible.

Playing conditions―pitches, weather―can differ drastically from time to time. Playing at home or away has crucial impact on performances, as does quality of opponents.

That said, consistency in performance over an extended period of time, supported by impressive stats, provides the best index to the calibre of a player.

By this yardstick, both Ashwin and Jadeja hurdle over several Indian all-rounders. Their sheer body of work overwhelms that of Madan Lal, Roger Binny and Mohinder Amarnath, who left their impress in the 1980s; Eknath Solkar and Abid Ali in the 1970s; Salim Durani, Chandu Borde, Bapu Nadkarni and Rusi Surti in the 1960s; and if I have to go further back, Lala Amarnath, Dattu Phadkar, Vijay Hazare and Polly Umrigar, the premier all-rounders in the 1940s and 50s.

Yet, it’s not a cakewalk for Ashwin and Jadeja. Having overhauled those mentioned above, they run into two major stumbling blocks: Vinoo Mankad and Kapil Dev.

Mankad was India’s foremost cricketer in the late 1940s and through most of the next decade. A wily left-arm spinner who could bat at the top or in the middle order, he has left behind a litany of outstanding performances that gave Indian cricket heft and stature.

Mankad’s career stats might not seem as imposing today. In 44 Tests, he scored 2,109 runs and took 162 wickets. But, in Australia in 1947-48, Don Bradman lauded him for his all-round skills and competitiveness.

In 1951-52, Mankad was the architect of India’s maiden Test victory, over England in Madras, claiming 12 wickets.

He was India’s leading player against Pakistan the next season, scoring 129 runs and taking 25 wickets to help India beat their arch-rivals in the first contest after partition.

In 1956, against New Zealand in Madras, Mankad and Pankaj Roy put on 413 for the first wicket, then a world record, with the former scoring 231.

Mankad’s best performance came against England at Lord’s in 1952 when he scored 256 runs and took five wickets. That match has gone down in history as Mankad’s Test.

Kapil Dev arrived like a hurricane three decades later, in 1978, to challenge Mankad as the country’s best all-rounder. India had been starved of fast bowlers since the days of Mohammed Nissar and Amar Singh in the 1930s. The 19-year-old from Haryana was seen as the answer to decades of fervent prayers.

Over the next 15 years, Kapil was to establish himself as an all-time great, showing superb bowling skills, with new ball and old, dashing batsmanship, and brilliant fielding. Kapil became India’s main, if not only, match-winner for most of this period.

Kapil’s record is stupendous. He scored more than 5,000 Test runs, including eight centuries, three of them overseas. He also took 434 wickets (a world record when he retired), and once hit four successive sixes off Eddie Hemmings at Lord’s to help avoid a follow-on.

His most memorable performance came, of course, in a different format, in the 1983 World Cup. Winning the tournament gave Indian cricket a massive fillip and put Kapil on a pedestal. One that he still occupies.

how-a-european-family-made-an-arid-andhra-town-its-home-and-turned-it-into-a-thriving-sports-hub

Sun Sep 29 11:14:21 IST 2024

On September 5, at the start of the first-round Duleep Trophy match between India C and India D at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, commentators said on air that the wicket and the weather were “nice and easy”. By the time the phrase was repeated for the third time, India D had lost three quick wickets, including that of their captain, Shreyas Iyer. All three wickets were claimed by fast bowlers, but it was the fourth one that truly excited a European-looking, Telugu-speaking man in the VIP stand.

Moncho Ferrer, 53, was not rooting for any team in particular, but he was genuinely impressed by right-arm fast bowler Anshul Kamboj’s delivery that caught batsman Yash Dubey off guard. A slight edge sent the ball thumping into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Moncho must have felt that the dismissal captured the spirit of the cricket stadium that he passionately built over two decades in Anantapur, a small arid town in southwestern Andhra Pradesh. “That dismissal was typical of the Anantapur Cricket Ground,” said Moncho, his face lighting up. “The ball rises fast and quick and the batsman has to get his bat and hands up. A nick is all it takes to be in the keeper’s hands.” Interestingly, Kamboj topped the bowling chart with 16 wickets in five Duleep Trophy innings, also winning the player of the series award.

Anantapur, a drought-prone and bone-dry town, hosted four Duleep Trophy games this season, creating a sporting milestone in this part of Andhra Pradesh that is close to the border with Karnataka. The seats were full of excited fans who cheered and clapped through every moment. The well-maintained ground rivals those in England and Australia in terms of size, infrastructure and the nature of the wicket.

Moncho, who served as president of the Anantapur District Cricket Association, is a respected figure in the region’s sporting circles. Born to an English mother and a Spanish father, he grew up as a Telugu boy, fluent in the language, speaking the distinct Rayalaseema dialect. Steeped in the local culture, Moncho relishes the traditional diet of jowar and ragi with groundnut chutney. And, cricket is a part of his life.

Moncho’s European appearance often raises curious questions. “People ask me, ‘You are Spanish, so how come you like cricket’? I ask them to do their homework,” he said. “I was born and raised in Anantapur. The first time I set foot in Spain, I was 18. I did not speak a word of Spanish till I was 25. Spain was foreign to me.”

As a child, Moncho often lamented the lack of sports facilities in Anantapur. It prompted him to work hard to address the concern. He now serves as programme director of the Rural Development Trust (RDT), an NGO set up by his parents, Vicente and Anna Ferrer. The organisation has been active for the past 55 years in poverty alleviation, health care, education, women empowerment and agriculture.

The Anantapur Cricket Ground was constructed in line with the organisation’s vision to encourage local people to pursue professional sports. “When we started building the ground, we didn’t want just another field,” said Moncho. “We researched how things are done in Australia and South Africa, as they build their wickets quite differently.”

The task began in 2000 with the purchase of land, followed by years of research and experiments. Moncho said he had “zero knowledge and zero experience” in constructing a cricket ground, so he sought extensive help from books and experts. The challenge of finding the right soil was particularly difficult. Local soil, with only 5 to 17 per cent clay content, was not suitable. “We needed soil with over 50 per cent clay content, and we could not find that anywhere nearby,” he said. They finally found the right soil at Amalapuram, nearly 800km from Anantapur.

What sets the ground further apart is the hybrid Bermuda grass that flourishes in sunlight and requires very little water. “Put it under a tree and it will die,” said Moncho. Sourced from Mysuru, the grass has gained so much attention that now Moncho’s team supplies it to various other grounds and lawns. Nearly 30 people work to maintain the ground, and 40,000 litres of water is used every three days for its upkeep.

When the ground was inaugurated in 2004, it hosted a Ranji Trophy match between Railways and Andhra. Sanjay Bangar, the captain of the Railways team, had his reservations. “Bangar had never heard of Anantapur,” said Moncho. “He told me later that they were upset about being sent here. They said the Railways were a decent team, so they should have played in Visakhapatnam. But once he saw the ground and played here, he said, ‘Oh my God, put all my matches here!’”

For a region that has seen extreme poverty and untouchability, Anantapur is much better off with its growing sports facilities. Moncho believes that sports can be a great leveller. He thinks one of the most significant challenges facing the region has been caste and class discrimination. “But there was one place where all this discrimination faded away: the sports field. It didn’t matter what caste, religion or colour you were; the player who hits a six or scores a goal becomes the hero,” said Moncho, recollecting his father’s social outlook.

Vicente Ferrer lived through some of the most turbulent periods in world history, marked by revolutions, wars and political upheavals. He was born in Barcelona in 1920, when the world was still reeling from the aftermath of World War I. As a teenager, Ferrer found himself embroiled in another conflict. The Spanish Civil War erupted in the late 1930s, and the teenager was drafted to fight for the left-leaning Republican faction.

When the rightist Nationalists emerged victorious in the war, Ferrer, like many others on the losing side, was sent to a concentration camp in southern France, where he spent nearly two years. Upon his release, he joined the Jesuits, dedicating his life to missionary work. His path eventually led him to India, where a new chapter of his mission unfolded.

Arriving in India in 1952, Ferrer saw a nation on the cusp of becoming a mature democracy. The first general elections had just concluded, which Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress won by a landslide. Ferrer began his humanitarian work in Maharashtra, focusing on improving the lives of farmers in the drought-prone Manmad region. He helped facilitate the digging of thousands of borewells, significantly improving water access for local farmers.

Ferrer’s religious background and foreign origin, however, was viewed with suspicion and he was sent back to Spain in 1968. He returned a year later, with the support of prime minister Indira Gandhi. This time, he chose Anantapur, which was among the most underdeveloped regions of the country. He founded the RDT at a time when the region was grappling with a movement demanding the separation of the Telangana region from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 350 people, mostly students, lost their lives in protests. Despite the turmoil and political instability, Ferrer was undeterred, dedicating himself to the service of the downtrodden.

His wife, Anna Perry, was drawn to his vision after meeting him. She was on a world tour with her brother and they ran out of money while in India. She found an assignment to interview Ferrer for a newspaper. Impressed by his personality, she discontinued the trip and decided to stay on with him as a volunteer. Ferrer, meanwhile, wanted to travel extensively to raise funds for his development work in Anantapur. But the Jesuit authorities denied him permission. In March 1970, he left the order and married Anna.

Today, in Ferrer’s absence, Anna continues to lead the organisation. Her office in the old block at the entrance of the vast RDT campus is a blend of the past and the present. Stacks of files and papers can be seen across her desk, symbolising the tireless effort required to run such a large operation. In one corner, a loud window air-conditioner does a fine job, despite its vintage nature. Dressed in a simple kurta, the 77-year-old greets visitors with a warm smile and a “namaste”.

Reflecting on those challenging years, she said, “In Maharashtra in 1967-68, and here in Anantapur in 1973-74, there wasn’t much understanding between us and the government. There was a lot of disbelief―what were we really doing? Some assumed it was for personal benefit or for religious work. The government did not want to renew our visas. But my husband always believed in fighting for what was right. We had the support of the people.”

In the 1970s, Anna recalled, most people had inadequate housing and earned their livelihood in kind, receiving ragi or seeds instead of money. Bonded labour was widespread and the survival rate of newborns was just 50 per cent. One meal a day was the norm, access to health care was almost non-existent and superstitions and a lack of understanding about modern medicine were big challenges. “There was a case of a child who was suffering from severe malnutrition. We saved her, but she became blind because of her poor health. I wondered whether we had done the right thing. Or did we burden her parents? But later, she attended our school and I felt better. There were many such situations.”

The RDT has come a long way since those difficult initial days. Today, it operates in 3,800 villages across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The organisation has built 1,347 check dams, provided education to more than 11,000 students and assisted around 15,000 women in delivering babies safely.

At the RDT canteen, the design reflects the organisation’s commitment to sustainable living. The ceiling has a unique arrangement that allows sunlight to pass through, without exposing those inside to direct heat. The room feels airy without the need for fans, thanks to the wide spaces and high ceilings. The lunch menu is a fusion of European and south Indian cuisine, with dishes like macaroni, boiled vegetables cooked in olive oil and fried fish alongside sambar, pulao, vegetable curry and curd.

APART FROM CRICKET, the RDT also supports football, tennis, hockey, judo and kabaddi. Ferrer, who passed away in 2009, was an ardent fan of FC Barcelona. The football programme is supported by La Liga, Spain. The RDT runs a rural sports centre, grassroots coaching centres and development centres where players, coaches and referees are trained.

Anjali Devi from Anantapur’s Rayadurgam village still remembers that hot summer day when her understanding of football changed completely. As a student at the local government school, she enjoyed watching football being kicked around during sports class. She thought there was nothing more to the game. But, at a summer camp organised by the RDT, football coaches from Spain opened up a new world before her. They taught her the basics of the game and important techniques. She became a goalkeeper and continued attending football camps, practising every morning and evening throughout her high school years.

While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, she attended a referee workshop organised by the RDT. Later, she switched from refereeing to coaching after seeing a notification from the RDT, seeking coaches for their academy. Today, the 26-year-old is the only woman from Andhra Pradesh to hold a ‘C’ licence in football coaching. If not for the exposure she got at an early age, Anjali wouldn’t have reached this stage, as she comes from a poor rural family with a conservative background. She now wants to climb the professional ladder further by obtaining higher certifications and coach national-level teams.

Nallabotu Balakrishna from Mallireddipalle village near Anantapur is another beneficiary of the RDT’s grassroots initiatives. Balakrishna was declared to have an IQ of just 33 and a mental disability of almost 90 per cent. Thanks to the RDT’s programme for children with intellectual disabilities, he picked up badminton. Not only did he shine locally, he also went on to win three medals at the Special Olympics held in Los Angeles in 2015. In his village, he became a celebrity. Youngsters approach him wanting to know about his experiences travelling abroad. “I want to visit many other countries and win more medals,” said Balakrishna. He is currently a trainer at one of RDT’s centres that cares for children with disabilities.

The Spanish connection in Anantapur is not limited to football. Moncho said tennis was not accessible earlier, so the RDT joined hands with the Rafael Nadal Foundation. In 2010, Anantapur was thrust into the global limelight when Nadal came visiting for the inauguration of the tennis academy, his foundation’s first project. “They shared the same philosophy as us. It wasn’t about professional tennis; it was about using tennis for the overall development of children,” said Moncho. The centre features tennis courts and classrooms where English is taught, as well as facilities for computer training, personality development and children’s nutrition. Over 200 kids train and study at the centre.

Anna, meanwhile, feels that she has fulfilled her husband’s mission, but remains upset by the labels that have dogged the RDT and her family for five decades, of promoting Christianity. “I have a son (Moncho) and two daughters (Tara and Yamuna). Two of them are married to Hindus and one is married to a Palestinian Muslim,” she said. “I care about people’s lives and future, not their religion.”

indian-cricket-challenges-winning-world-test-championship

Sat Sep 14 15:55:19 IST 2024

India’s selectors caused some flutter among cricket aficionados by announcing a full-strength squad for the first of two Tests against Bangladesh starting next week. Barring pace ace Mohammed Shami, still recovering from injury, every player of known prowess in red-ball cricket was in the squad.

Bangladesh aren’t exactly a major force in the five-day format, and have a particularly poor record against India. So, what forces were at play when chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his committee met to pick the team?

The fundamental consideration, one understands, is an unofficial firman from the BCCI to select the strongest team now on for every match/series/tournament: allowing, of course, for injuries, workload management or other compelling reasons to give a player leave of absence.

The logic in such an approach is irrefutable, but has not always been applied diligently in the past. Against weak opponents, sometimes even strong ones, players have found ways to excuse themselves. The cricket establishment aims to eliminate such vagrancy going ahead.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir gave early notice of this after he assumed charge. For the ODI series against Sri Lanka immediately after the T20 World Cup, Gambhir asked for, and got, star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who could have been rested, to participate.

That India did not win the series despite the participation of these stalwarts was not germane to the issue. The message that the BCCI, and by extension the coach and captains of different formats, wanted to send out was loud and clear.

The next three years throw up a gamut of challenges for Indian cricket, across formats. Among the plethora of bilateral series between now and 2027 are a clutch of ICC tournaments that have increasingly become the bellwether of cricketing supremacy. These are the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February 2025, World Test Championship final in England, mid-2025, T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026, and the ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027. These will obviously demand more focus from the board, coach and players.

The Champions Trophy is likely to get the most attention over the next few months with the question being, will India travel across the border for the tournament? BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s tenure as ICC chairman (he was elected unopposed) from December 1 loads the situation with greater intrigue.

Despite the longstanding political imbroglio between the two countries, India have always played Pakistan in ICC tournaments. But does this extend to playing in Pakistan is the question vexing the cricket world. Is, as is being widely speculated, a hybrid model, which entails taking India’s matches to a neutral venue (most likely the UAE), the way out? The crisis-management skills of the new ICC chairman in resolving this complex issue will be watched closely.

But while the political significance of the Champions Trophy is enormous, its cricketing import is not commensurately heavy-duty. The tournament is not as big as the two white-ball World Cups. Moreover, by winning the T20 World Cup this year, India have broken the long-standing jinx of failing in ICC tournaments. From India’s point of view, winning the Champions Trophy would be a feather in the cap, not a seminal breakthrough. However, winning the World Test Championship would be just that.

This is where the 10 Test matches India play this season―two versus Bangladesh, three against New Zealand (both home) and five in Australia, become terribly important.

Currently placed No. 1 on the WTC table, India should make it to the final comfortably. But there is no scope for complacency even if playing at home. Pakistan expected Bangladesh to surrender tamely and were summarily thrashed 2-0 in the recent Test series. New Zealand are always a competitive side.

India need to be vigilant without compromising on the flair that has defined their cricket in all formats in recent years. The big test comes when they travel Down Under in November. It promises to be a blockbuster contest.

Australia are currently No. 2 on the WTC table. Barring a colossal upset, both India and Australia should be in the WTC final at Lord’s next year. What could happen in that match will depend to a great degree on how the five Tests in Australia pan out.

India-Australia cricket has taken a trajectory of its own in the past decade, emerging as perhaps an even bigger contest than the Ashes.That is largely because of how marvellously India have improved, especially when playing in Australia. They beat the Aussies, once considered invincible at home, 2-1 in 2018, and even more heroically, 2-1 again, in 2021. Clubbed with home wins in 2017 and 2023, India have won four Test series on the trot against Australia.

Given the roster of marquee talent both teams possess, it promises to be a high-octane contest, what with both teams looking to win the series as well as garner a psychological advantage for the WTC final.

For the record, India have reached the final in the first two editions of the WTC, but lost both, to New Zealand in 2021 and to Australia in 2023, despite starting as favourites.

That unflattering record needs to be recast if India are to establish themselves as the preeminent cricketing nation in the world―and not merely where the financial balance sheet is concerned.

indian-footballer-lallianzuala-chhangte-interview

Sat Sep 07 11:27:50 IST 2024

IntervieW/Lallianzuala Chhangte, Indian footballer

Football has literally taken Lallianzuala Chhangte places. Born in Lunglei, a hilly town in Mizoram, around 160km from Aizawl, Chhangte was introduced to football by his grandfather. He also gave the boy his first boot, writing the prologue to a story that would see him train with Liverpool’s youth academy, and, eventually, become the Indian national team’s best player.

The start was not easy. The puny second son of a teacher couple was not the best of his peers during his academy days. But, the Cristiano Ronaldo fan took inspiration from his idol’s work ethic and put in the hard yards with the dream of playing for the national team and the biggest clubs in the country.

His efforts bore fruit, and how. The 27-year-old Mumbai City winger has been named the All India Football Federation’s men’s player of the year for two consecutive years (2022-23 and 2023-24). He joined City in 2021-22, initially on loan, and played in 13 matches without scoring or assisting. If there were concerns, they evaporated quickly in the 2022-23 season. Chhangte scored 10 and assisted six as City stormed to the ISL title. He was the club’s top scorer with 18 goals in 32 games in all competitions (nine assists). In 2023-24, though he scored seven goals and provided six assists in the 22 league games, City were only able to finish second. But, his inspired showing in the play-offs (three goals in three games) helped the club win the ISL Cup. He had 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, City made Chhangte its captain.

He is only the second Indian, apart from Sunil Chhetri, to win the Hero of the League award in the ISL (2022-23). Known for his dribbling and incredible pace, Chhangte is lovingly called The Mizo Flash. In fact, he is among the fastest football players in the world today―his top speed in 2023-24, 35.18kmph, comfortably puts him in the top 50 (Tottenham Hotspur’s Dutch defender Micky van de Ven was first, for the season, with 37.38kmph).

But, Chhangte’s identity extends beyond football. He reads the Bible twice a day, has helped many in need and runs a foundation for the growth of Mizoram football. He is also an avid sports bike and music lover. In an interview, he told THE WEEK that he still has a long way to go and that he believes he can do more. Excerpts:

Q/ You have won the AIFF men’s player of the year award two times in a row.

A/ I am delighted to have received this award in consecutive years. It is truly a blessing that God has provided me with the strength and motivation to work hard. My family has played an important role. I want to thank Mumbai City teammates, the coaching staff and all my brothers in the national team. Without them, I would not have been able to achieve these honours.

My dream was to become one of the best players in India and to play for one of the best clubs in the country. I never thought that it would come so soon, but it was the dream―to become one of the best players in India―since I was in academy. I know that I still have a long way to go and I believe I can do more.

Q/ How would you describe your journey from Lunglei to Mumbai, via Liverpool, to becoming the best Indian footballer?

A/ It was long. I did not get the right opportunity [early on]. Where I lived, it was not easy. My parents pressured me to study. Fortunately, I got selected to the Liverpool DSK International Academy in Pune. There were countless ups and downs. I still remember, when I joined the academy, I was one of the shortest lads. I did not have much muscle; I was not that strong and I was not the best. But, that did not stop me. I knew I had to work hard. I dedicated myself everyday.

Q/ Tell us about your experience in Liverpool and how the training there helped.

A/ Even though we stayed there for two weeks only, I want to thank the coaching staff there for giving us an opportunity to go there and train. It was amazing. We learned many things, like decision making. The mentality they have is different from what we have in India. When players come for training, they want to take something out of the training. They want to improve, learn something new and become better every single day. I have had that mentality since then. And I feel this is what we Indians need to develop.

Q/ Tell us why you liked Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard growing up?

A/ As a Chelsea fan, Frank Lampard was my favourite footballer because he could score with both feet. Even though he was a midfielder, he could defend when needed. He was a master of all trades. I admired the way he dressed, too. The way he looked; and he was such a gentleman. Simple and elegant.

Even though I was a fan of Chelsea, I used to like Cristiano Ronaldo a lot because of the way he played, the way he moved, the way he dribbled past defenders. I am also a winger, so I used to copy what he did. But not just on the pitch. I used to like the way he looks after himself, the way he takes care of his body. I love the way he worked; it just showed that with hard work and dedication you can achieve anything.

Q/ How important has Mumbai City been in your growth?

A/ Mumbai City has played the most important role in my career so far. They helped me to become a better player, a better person. I feel secure here. It is not just about how I play and train here. It is all about the environment. If you get the right environment at the right club, you get more confident. You want to give more. If the club takes care of you, you want to give something more for the club. That is how Mumbai City has been. I believe there is so much more to come. I can give [more than] what I am capable of.

Q/ Tell us about the Gulab Jamun Cup you organised to help a family that owned a sweet shop after Covid-19 made their lives tough.

A/ I remember this cup. We named it Gulab Jamun Cup because we wanted something to play for. Most of the players were not professionals, so I put up my money. Winners got gulab jamuns [bought from the shop] and some bonuses. Charity is close to my heart and I love doing something good for my community, especially my home town. I was fortunate enough to do that. The Gulab Jamun Cup continues to this day.

Q/ How can you use your position for the betterment of your state?

A/ What I have been doing is that, during the off-season, we travel around villages, do some coaching and teach kids how to train properly and how important diet is. How to take care of their body.

Recently, we have created the LzChangte7 New Life Foundation. This will help kids [learn] how to take care of themselves. The foundation will guide them to become better footballers, if they want to be. We have a lot of plans. I hope we can achieve more because there are a lot of talented footballers in Mizoram. But, they need the right opportunities and the right mentors. I believe that I and my team could be those mentors.

Q/ What is your goal with the national team?

A/ Expectations are high. Once you become older, expectation is higher every year. But, I like that because I want to challenge myself and I believe I could be an example for kids and my teammates. I want to be a player like Bhaichung Bhutia, who took Indian football to another level. I will work hard and I will give my best to take my club and Indian football to new highs.

Q/ Lallianzuala means someone destined for big things. What big things are you hoping for in life?

A/ Multiple trophies, individually, collectively. But, most important, I want to be an inspiration for kids, my colleagues and especially to those who want to be footballers [I want to tell them] that if you dream big enough, you can achieve what you want. That is the meaning of my name―dream bigger.

indian-badminton-coach-and-former-all-england-champion-prakash-padukone-interview

Sat Aug 31 11:35:56 IST 2024

Interview/ Prakash Padukone, coach and former All-England champion

SOON AFTER LAKSHYA Sen lost the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, Prakash Padukone issued a statement that divided the sporting community. The Indian team mentor said that the players had been receiving adequate support from the government and that they should “take responsibility” for their performances.

In an interview with THE WEEK, the former All-England champion stood by his statement, and pointed to Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker as examples of athletes who take responsibility. He also spoke about another Olympics for P.V. Sindhu, and what’s ahead for Indian badminton. Excerpts:

Q/ This is the first time since 2012 that badminton has not given India an Olympic medal.

A/ I was expecting at least two medals. This could have come from our men’s singles, women’s singles or men’s doubles players. The fact that we did not get even one medal definitely disappointed the entire nation, including me.

Q/ You spoke about athletes taking responsibility for their performances. What did you think about the reaction to that statement? The sporting world seemed divided.

A/ I have done my job as a well-wisher of Indian sport to start a dialogue. I do not gain anything personally by commenting on the players. I have only stated a fact. I am also aware that most players will not agree with my views. They are entitled to their opinion. Even if four or five players across different sports take my advice in the right spirit, I would have achieved my objective. If not, we can continue to be happy with single-digit medals at the Olympics or even fourth-place finishes.

My statement was taken out of context by the media. My main intention was to let the people know that the “not-so-good” performances in different sports in this Olympics were not due to lack of funding or lack of support from the government. Isn’t it time for everyone, including the players, to introspect? It is possible that the athletes are working hard, but maybe not hard enough to win an Olympic medal. That is where the players need to step up, introspect and take responsibility for their performances.

Q/ In a recent interview with THE WEEK, H.S. Prannoy said that he thought badminton had peaked too early in India with two world-beaters in Saina Nehwal and Sindhu. He said that this could have led fans to, at times, expect too much from the shuttlers.

A/ I do not agree at all. We have been doing well on the international scene since the 1980s, even though there have been times in between where we did not have players in the top 10. But our players have done consistently well in the past 15 years to put India on the world map. And that is a long enough time for the fans to expect at least one medal from badminton at the Olympics.

Q/ Lakshya was a bright spot in Paris, but what do you make of the upcoming talent in the country? Do you see viable replacements for a Sindhu or a Prannoy?

A/ There is absolutely no dearth of talent in the country, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. We need a stronger mechanism to identify such talent and move them to elite academies at the right age. I foresee a very bright future for badminton in the country.

Q/ Do you think it was nerves that cost Lakshya the match against Viktor Axelsen? Or do you think it was just Axelsen’s experience and brilliance?

A/ Without a doubt it was nerves that cost Lakshya a medal. He needs to focus a lot more on training his mind because this is not the first time he has lost matches from winning positions. He tends to lose focus after being in a commanding position, especially against higher-ranked players. While we are happy with his performance, we are not satisfied. Of course, Axelsen’s experience and brilliance definitely helped him in the semi-finals, but the bronze medal was in Lakshya’s pocket.

Q/ Do you think Sindhu has it in her to compete in another Olympics? Only she would know the mental side of it, but looking at her game, could she go again?

A/ Sindhu definitely has it in her to play one more Olympics, but whether she can be a medal contender will depend a lot on her physical and mental condition at that time. Right now, it is too early to predict the outcome.

Q/ Would Neeraj Chopra be a right example of what you meant about athletes taking responsibility?

A/ You have hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what I meant about athletes taking responsibility. He could easily have been satisfied with his silver, but he was disappointed that he could not win gold. That is the kind of mindset I was referring to. Youngsters who want to achieve something big in sport would do well to emulate Neeraj Chopra for his perseverance and never-say-die attitude. Also, his ability to remain calm and focused under extremely stressful conditions. These are the qualities that separate him from the rest.

Manu Bhaker was another example of taking responsibility for her performances, especially after her disappointing loss in the previous Olympics. After that defeat, she took full control of herself and worked on her weaknesses to emerge victorious.

Q/ What do you think is the path ahead for badminton in India?

A/ BAI (Badminton Association of India) is doing a good job, but can do a lot more to promote the sport. I would definitely want them to revive the Premier Badminton League, which will go a long way in further popularising the sport.

Q/ Lastly, what are your personal plans within the sport in the near future?

A/ I have done enough for the sport in the past 50 years. I want to take it easy, spend more time with the family, go on vacations. There is a lot more to life than just badminton. I will be involved in the sport, but not on a full-time basis. I will continue to help and guide talented youngsters whenever I find time.

former-indian-mens-hockey-national-team-goalkeeper-p-r-sreejesh-interview

Fri Aug 23 15:13:06 IST 2024

Interview/ P.R. Sreejesh, two-time Olympic bronze medallist

To have your jersey number retired from the sport is an honour few receive. P.R. Sreejesh is among those few. But then, the former India hockey captain has always been unique―he comes from Kerala, a state that doesn’t have a rich hockey heritage, and retires as arguably its most famous son in the sporting arena.

Going out on a high―he sat atop the goal as his teammates bowed to him after winning the bronze at the Paris Olympics―Sreejesh leaves big shoes to fill. Fortunately for Indian hockey, the veteran goalkeeper wants to stay with the sport, and could even take on the role of the junior national team coach in a few months. In an interview with THE WEEK, Sreejesh talks about Paris, his jersey, future plans and who he wants to play him in a potential biopic. Excerpts:

Q A two-time Olympic bronze medallist, freshly retired and perhaps the next coach of the junior national team. How are you feeling?

A It is a fantastic farewell for me because, after such a great career, I could not have imagined a better setup than this. Finishing on the podium in my last Olympics and getting a great farewell from Hockey India. Everything led up in the perfect way.

Q Back-to-back bronze medals is a great achievement. Do you think this could be a return to the glory days that India once had? Or do you think that kind of dominance cannot be replicated because the top seven-eight teams are neck-and-neck in terms of quality?

A I think we are back to the glory days. When you look at [the current] scenario―back-to-back medals and finishing in the top three―it gives a lot of hope. For every sportsperson, winning an Olympic medal is a big thing. And we are showing them that if you play hockey, you can achieve this.

As you mentioned, the top eight teams are good enough to win a medal in the Olympics. But [it depends on] who gets the advantage on that particular day. I believe that these medals will help us dream bigger.

Q What were the emotions in the dressing room after you defended the medal in Paris?

A The team was happy because we were going home with a medal. But we were also disappointed because, when we were preparing for this Olympics, [we had it in] our minds that this time we are going to change the colour of that medal. And we had a great opportunity. But, unfortunately, we missed it.

But still, I am so proud of my teammates because they bounced back in a day. On the podium, you can see that the gold and bronze medallists are happier than the silver medallist because the silver medallist always receives that medal after losing a match. So, the team was happy. Because yes, we are continuing our journey of coming back home with a bronze medal.

Q Jersey number 16 has been retired and is now part of Indian hockey’s legacy. How does that feel?

A It is a great honour. Like when the BCCI retired Sachin Tendulkar’s jersey, M.S. Dhoni’s jersey. After those two legends, it is my number getting retired. What more you can expect from a federation? I think my name will stay as long as hockey is there. Because people will always ask why 16 is not there. So, there will be a story behind that and people will always remember me.

Q Looking to the future, the Hockey India League is returning after eight years. How do you think that will help hockey in India? And could we see you being associated with it in any capacity, as a coach or as a player?

A I requested Hockey India to put my name in as a player. Because it is only one or two months. So, I will be fit enough to play. But it depends on the contract I may sign in the future. If I get the job of looking after the juniors, it might be different.

Definitely, I will be part of the Hockey India League [in some way]. Because HIL is a wonderful platform for youngsters to come out and play in front of thousands of people and [try and] get a place in the senior or junior squad.

Q If you do take up the job as coach, would you be reaching out to your own coaches? Someone like Craig Fulton or an Indian like V. Baskaran?

A I do need support from them to get some sort of advice on how to handle some players or how to manage some situations. Because that is the one place I am a bit inexperienced in. But in terms of the other strategies, I think I might do my own thing. I always believe that you should have your own plans, rather than relying on someone. That is because you have the authority to update or change the plans according to the situation, according to the players you have.

Q Going back to Paris once again. Amit Rohidas was sent off in the match against Great Britain. What was the team talk like?

A We are always ready for whatever is going to happen on the field. Umpires can sometimes play a crucial role, too. Or the weather can be a factor in your performance. We had prepared for it. But yes, playing with 10 men in the quarterfinal of the Olympics was tough. And playing without one player in the semifinal is tougher than you can imagine. But I think sometimes, being a player, you should be more responsible of your actions on the field. That was not a deliberate fault. But it is in the rule book.

I think everything happens for a good reason. We learn something. I think that in the coming years, the players might take this as a [lesson].

Q So, before the next chapter officially begins, what will a regular day in Sreejesh’s life be like?

A My life is going to be normal. So, I [might] go for a jog in the morning or to the gym. Then I will spend the day with my parents. In the evenings, I want to spend time with my kids. Play some games with them. Or watch a movie together. Go shopping. And I will also try to get some more sleep.

Q We heard that Neeraj Chopra was going to be the flagbearer for the closing ceremony in Paris, but he suggested your name instead. What is your equation with him?

A Neeraj Chopra is like a little brother to me. He is one of the sweetest persons I have ever met. He comes and talks to everyone, even the junior players, and wishes them luck. He is such a great personality.

When I got this offer, I said, no, Neeraj should be the one who should carry the flag. Because he was the deserving one. You know, track and field. One gold medal and one silver. That is unbelievable for Indians. But his words are more powerful than his performance. He said, “Sree bhai, you have done a wonderful job for our country for the last 20 years.” I was like, “Brother, you are great.”

Q Ever thought of a biopic? If so, do you have an actor in mind?

A If someone comes [with such an idea], I am okay with that. Of all the actors, I think three of them are really good for me. Tovino Thomas, Prithviraj or Dulquer Salmaan. Because these guys are fitness-freaks. They are in good shape. When you are doing a biopic of a sportsperson, you need to be really physically fit. And scenarios, I think my life itself is more than a big story. So, you will get content from my lifetime to produce two movies.

Q Lastly, what is your advice for someone like Krishan Pathak or Suraj Karkera, the goalkeepers who are going to try to fill your shoes?

A I always talk to them. They have been with me for the past eight years. And we used to have good, healthy competition. We used to teach each other, guide each other. There was a very good rapport. The best thing for them is to take their time. Because you cannot become better than Sreejesh overnight. Failure will be there, for sure. Sometimes people or the media will fire against you, that is for sure. But just trust yourself, keep working hard. And they are really good goalkeepers. Pathak, Suraj, even Mohith, the junior one. They will perform well, but they need time.

indian-sport-shooter-and-olympic-medal-winner-manu-bhaker-interview

Fri Aug 23 15:08:01 IST 2024

Interview/ Manu Bhaker, double bronze medallist at Paris 2024 Olympics

In a largely lacklustre Olympic campaign in Paris, Manu Bhaker was one of the few bright spots for India. The 22-year-old shooter from Haryana’s Goria village made history by becoming the first Indian, after independence, to win two medals (both bronze) in a single edition of the Games. This was after she had become the de facto face of the shooting team’s failure at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.

In an interview with THE WEEK, Bhaker talks about bouncing back from the debacle in Tokyo, as also how the Gita helped her, her love for bharatnatyam and her proficiency in Manipuri martial art Thang-Ta. Excerpts:

Q/ From heartbreak in Tokyo to creating history in Paris. How did you motivate yourself?

A/ After coming back from Tokyo, things were not easy at all. I was really disturbed. I decided I would take a break for nearly a month, but I just could not bring myself to do so. Within 20-odd days, I felt I could not be away from the sport. This is what I love to do and I will keep going with it. Eventually, things started to fall in place.

However, in 2022, I was part of the national shooting team and I was doing okay. But I was not enjoying the sport. It had become like a nine to five job; you go to the range and then the gym and then to sleep. I started to get bored. By 2023, I was [thinking of] trying a new career, maybe in studies or something else. Then finally, when I started to work with Jaspal [Rana] sir again, that was the aar ya par [do or die] time.

That is when I decided I am going to give everything I have for my sport. After that, I never had any doubt. Regardless of how my body was taking it and the mental pressure, I kept trying my best. There were several competitions where I could not win an individual medal. But, regardless, I was like, ‘I have to do it’, and it worked out really well for me.

Q/ Tell us about your equation with coach Rana.

A/ Initially, after the Tokyo phase, it was my parents, my mom especially and my brother, who actually lifted me up. Later on, in 2023 [it was Jaspal sir. He is the] kind of person who will always be positive. Not just positive in a soft way. He would be strong with his beliefs. He is not like, “If you try, you will be able to do it.” Rather, he would say, “You try and it will happen.” Because of this, my confidence improved. My technique also improved as he works a lot on the basics. I started to enjoy the sport again because I was travelling, I was doing different things, and I started to take on different hobbies.

Q/ How do you handle so much success at such a young age?

A/ I think when we win something, it is better to put it aside and move forward. For me, it is just a stop that I have reached in my journey; the journey will be lifelong. Time passes, and it does not care if you are sad or happy, or if you are winning or losing.

Q/ Before shooting, you excelled in other sports, too. What made you such a sports buff?

A/ I have medals at the national level in the martial art of Thang-Ta. I have state-level medals in karate, boxing and wushu, too. Coming from a sports background, I started when I was in second or third class, with athletics. Everyone starts with athletics because it is only running. So, it was 100m, 200m, 400m, relays and cross country. I [have always] loved to be fit. I used to get into fights with people, especially boys. That is how I started to fall in love with boxing and karate. To beat somebody was the initial goal (chuckles). But later I started to enjoy it.

Competing in all those sports helped me in shooting because I was physically strong. My shoulders were muscular. And because of that I was able to pick up shooting quickly.

Q/ You also ride horses.

A/ Sometimes I want to get away from my sport or just go refresh myself. That is when I take up hobbies like horse riding or violin or dance. It distracts my mind in a positive way. [You can take up hobbies] to keep yourself focused and you can clean up your mind, too. I do not enjoy video games; I always go outside to try something new.

Q/ How long have you been practising bharatnatyam for and who is your guru? Is there any artiste you admire?

A/ I don’t know much about bharatnatyam legends. My guru is Indira Muruganeshan from Tamil Nadu. She is the one who actually introduced me to it and told me so many things I never knew. It is one of the most decorated dance forms that India has seen. If you see Shiv Tandav or any god or goddess’s performance, it is mostly bharatnatyam. I really enjoy it because it has that divine feminine energy. I really love it. I love Indian culture and its dance forms.

Q/ After your Olympic success, have you tasted your favourite gajar ka halwa (a carrot-based sweet dish) yet?

A/ I have had bajre (pearl millet) ki roti and chutney, which we all have in Haryanvi and Rajasthani households. Sometimes, mummy allows me to eat things such as aloo ka parantha every two months. But gajar ka halwa not yet. Maybe in the coming days as it is generally cooked in winter.

Q/ Your father once said that you might quit shooting after winning an Olympic medal. Now you have two. Will you prove him right?

A/ I will never try to prove anything to anybody, ever. As long as I am enjoying the sport, I will continue to do it no matter how it is going for me. I can even go on for 30 years. It will depend on how I feel towards the sport. I want to enjoy it. I really love my sport. So, for now, there is no question of leaving.

Q/ You have said that the Gita helps you a lot in overcoming difficult situations in life. When did you start reading it?

A/ During my childhood years, it was my mom [who introduced me to it]. She is a Sanskrit and Hindi lecturer, and she was strict with everything in my life. She is very organised. [She would say,] “Only if you complete your homework will I take you to the park or allow you to watch TV for 30 minutes.” She keeps me disciplined and grounded.

She used to recite the meaning of phrases from the Gita. Eventually, in my day-to-day routine, I started reading it only a year ago. My meditation teacher says, “I will tell you two shlokas today and you should take this meaning from it and use it in your life.” So, it is my mom, my yoga meditation teacher and my coach now, who also gives me examples from it.

Q/ You are a fan of Virat Kohli and Neeraj Chopra. What do you like about them?

A/ Both are highly decorated players. People love them and always look forward to their matches. That is the spirit that brings out the sporting culture in a nation. I really respect them for what they have been doing for so many years. They have been consistent no matter the injuries or any controversies. It is the spirit they have for their sport that I really admire. I think we all have a lot to learn from them.

Q/ Lastly, what do you have to say about the protests in the aftermath of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a Kolkata hospital?

A/ The basic rights of any human being are equality and freedom. If women are not getting that, then I think half the population of this country is being exploited. I am not saying that everyone is being exploited, but even if 10 per cent women are, I think we are not succeeding.

The government is trying to take initiatives to protect women, but I think education is the only element that can actually bring a positive change.

This (rape-murder) doesn’t portray a good picture of India. Especially in a country where we have this culture of treating women as goddesses.

manu-bhaker-shooting-bronze-medal-paris-olympics-2024

Mon Aug 05 15:11:55 IST 2024

IN 1998, I became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, in the 50m rifle prone position event. Since then, India has achieved significant successes in shooting, the latest being Manu Bhaker with two bronze medals in Paris.

I am excited to see young Manu come into her own; her quiet confidence and focus shine through. We can expect many more accolades for her and I hope her success opens the floodgates for young Indian hopefuls. Air pistol is a versatile sport that can be practised in small spaces, and with some investment in equipment, it can proliferate.

As someone who struggled through the early years of no investment or recognition, even when medals were being won, the growth of shooting in India has been remarkable. While government initiatives play a role in supporting shooters, several non-government organisations also help. Most notable are the Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation’s academies, Olympic Gold Quest’s work in identifying and supporting talent, and GoSports Foundation’s scholarships, training grants and mentorship opportunities.

I remember once reading an article about sports sponsorships and taking the effort to write to Indian companies for support. My efforts drew absolutely no results. Today, it is heartening to see companies like JSW Sports and Samsung support shooters so they can focus on their training without worrying about financial constraints. In my days, the only options were the Indian Railways and the Central Reserve Police Force, which entailed signing on to work there. Not a terrible option, but nothing like the support you need for international excellence.

And let us not forget the shift in public perception. Over the past decades, the average Indian has learned to think wider about sports―not just as a venue for international excellence, but as a broadening of horizons, and as a part of a holistically balanced life.

I had my parents Unni and Jaya, my amazing coach A.J. Jalaluddin, teachers and friends―and recognition from chief minister J. Jayalalithaa―to support me. I remember returning with my Commonwealth gold medal to find only my coach and parents there to greet me. This was the day after a losing Indian cricket team came home to an airport full of adoring fans. I know India’s cricket-craze continues, but there is also a greater appreciation of sports like shooting.

To the parent perplexed by their child’s interest in sport, there is not a single day when my learnings from my shooting days do not feature in my life. Whether in helping bond with folks from different backgrounds who respect what it took for a little South Indian girl to play a sport at the level I did, or in the intense concentration I need when taking on a new task as a chief strategy and innovation officer, my sporting experience shines through. Medals are only part of the equation.

While India’s Olympic prospects are bright, it is important to acknowledge the challenges the shooters might face in Paris. They will face the best in the world, and I can tell you that the weight of expectations from a billion-plus population can be a double-edged sword.

A realistic expectation would be two to four medals, but they could get more if everything falls into place. The key will be for the shooters to maintain their composure, focus on their strengths, and execute their plans flawlessly on their big day.

Roopa Unnikrishnan is chief strategy and innovation officer of IDEX Corporation.

four-time-olympic-gold-medallist-simone-biles-interview

Fri Aug 02 16:48:22 IST 2024

Interview/ Simone Biles, four-time Olympic gold medallist

Three years ago, Simone Biles was heralded as the star of the Tokyo Games. Medals and records were predicted. But her Olympic adventure was cut short. A victim of the “twisties”, that uncontrollable and dangerous loss of bearings in space, the American had to withdraw from the competition to preserve her mental health. Now back at the Games, she is performing better than ever―at the time of going to print, she has made it to five finals―and knows what is at stake. “It is an opportunity for redemption,” she said when her selection was announced.

At 27, Simone Biles remains the star who must shine in Paris. In an interview, she opened up about what she has been through since those four Rio Olympic titles, and the conversation revealed a young woman who is fulfilled but accepts her flaws.

Q/ Do you remember the young Simone Biles making her World Championships debut in 2013?

A/ Yes, I was very bubbly, outgoing, a little hyperactive. I still needed my ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) medication, but I was also very optimistic. With one goal in mind, which was obviously to compete in the Games one day. The 2013 Worlds allowed me to start believing in myself and my gymnastics.

Q/ Then there was Rio, a masterful comeback in 2018 despite your admission of being one of the victims of sex offender Larry Nassar, the former US gymnastics team doctor. And of course Tokyo....

A/ Before Tokyo, I had a feeling. I probably knew I was going into depression. But something in me blocked it out. The pressure was enormous, there was no room for error, victories were promised, I was going to break records. It is nice to be recognised for your sporting merit. And I think everyone wants to be famous. But when that happens, you hit a wall and face an identity crisis. How did I get here? Is this really what I wanted?

Q/ What do you think of the Tokyo Games?

A/ They were not what the Games are all about. In theory, it is a time when the world comes together, when athletes strive for excellence but also experience amazing stories, camaraderie and exchanges. But, because of the (Covid-19) pandemic, we were confined. When we were not training, we were locked in our rooms, unable to hang out in the corridors, play cards or chat. It was suffocating, physically and mentally demanding. I feel sad when I think of these athletes who will only have experienced these silent Games. The world was on pause, but we were not. And it was unfair even to our loved ones back home. We may have felt guilty, but... (hesitates) we did the best we could, adapting to the situation.

Q/ What do you remember about what happened?

A/ It definitely was not what we had planned.... I realised that I just wanted to get out of the room and take care of my mental health. I knew the healing process would be long. But I was also convinced that I would make it. As the three words tattooed on my left collarbone, ‘Still I Rise’ (a poem by Maya Angelou), sum it up, I have always known how to face life’s challenges.

Q/ How did you manage it?

A/ To be honest, between Tokyo and my testimony before the US Congress (in September 2021) in the Nassar case, I seriously considered retirement. I was devastated. When I stopped after the 2016 Games (she took a break), I made the most of it. I was depressed until I started therapy. I felt like a failure. Even if I talked about mental health or tried to empower people on the issue, it was like a wake-up call at the mention of Tokyo. But I also realised that I did not want to have any regrets in 10 or 15 years’ time.

Q/ Did you miss gymnastics?

A/ I do not know if it was a physical lack [of training and competition], but I started going to the gym again. I would drop in, laugh with the girls, do a couple of things. And I could be gone for days before I would set foot in the gym again. It was a bit scary. I did not know if I could start again and progress. I did not know where I was going, but I explored this path at my own pace and because I wanted to. Nobody forced me to get up in the morning and spend hours training. It was a very personal, intimate decision.

Q/ In April 2023, you married Jonathan Owens, a player with the Chicago Bears in the NFL. What does this mean for you?

A/ People think that if you become a wife, you cannot be a professional athlete anymore. But of course you can! I was married to gymnastics, but now it is just a part of my life. At the end of a session, I go home to my husband, my dogs, my activities.... It is a different kind of balance. And that makes me very happy.

Q/ When you are training, we are surprised to see you laughing so much...

A/ I think I love gymnastics even more than before. Of course, I have the distinctions that help me get through the days when it is more complicated physically or technically. But I do not have to prove anything any more, I do not have to win the World Championships or the Olympic Games. I have rediscovered my love of sport, the fun of it and the joy it brings me. I still have sporting goals, things I would like to achieve. But I do not think I will be disappointed if I do not succeed.

Q/ At the same time, as soon as you returned to competition, you appeared stronger than ever. How do you explain this?

A/ What you felt was a far cry from what I experienced (laughs). Of course, I felt like I was back in my element and that was pretty exciting. But I was really petrified. In Chicago, for example (August 5, 2023, her first official competition after Tokyo), I was very nervous.... Allowing myself to be vulnerable in front of an audience was a risk, but already a victory for me. On the other hand, I was anxious about what people would still say...

Q/ Why was that?

A/ In Tokyo, I received a lot of negative messages and insults. That I was weak, a coward, selfish, that I had taken the place of a more deserving gymnast. That it was because of me that the American team had not won the gold medal... It was extremely violent and unfair. I should not have paid attention to those [people]; I tried, but I could not help it. On the other hand, I knew that the gym community understood what I was going through. But then there were all these people who put me on a pedestal because I was becoming an advocate for mental health in sport. But I did not want them to stick me there, facing the crowd, saying, “Do what she did.”

Q/ And yet, in Chicago, tens of thousands of people came to salute your talent and courage.

A/ I was shocked! The packed auditorium, all those children with signs encouraging me, thanking me, applauding me... It was nice and reassuring to see that they had not abandoned me. But I have always refused to let that support blind me. Like in a bad movie, you wonder how many will boo you and throw rotten tomatoes at you. It is not the majority, but they want to see you fail. And I have already experienced the madness that follows a fall.

Q/ Do you think that is still the case?

A/ Oh, yes! On the margins perhaps, but I still read hurtful comments, saying, “Are you going to escape again?” Only, I am capable of striking back. To reply: “So what will you do if it happens again? Tweet?” I have had time to toughen up and come to terms with these critics over the past three years. There are also unconditional supporters.

Q/ Watching you, gymnastics even seems to have become a team sport without borders...

A/ I think that is because we are trying, at our level, to change the culture. Under the pretext of being in competition, we should oppose our opponents? I refuse to accept that this is inevitable.

Q/ But you go further by cheering on your rivals in competition...

A/ And why shouldn’t I? We all respect each other because we have all grown up under the same constraints, swallowing the same hours of training and suffering the same injuries. We regularly bump into each other at major championships, and we have forged bonds of respect and friendship. Why stick to old patterns, when geopolitics pitted one girl against another? It is silly to think that you have to hate each other to concentrate and succeed.... At the end of the day, I do not want to go home thinking: “The atmosphere was horrible, but I have got medals.”

Q/ While you are on the subject, what do you think of your record of achievements?

A/ I do not chase records, I leave that to the journalists. What drives me is raw performance. No doubt that explains the five difficulties (skills) to my name. Of course, I hope that one day, with my husband, we will have a nice collection of trophies to show our children. But it seems unreal when I hear that I am placed next to great athletes like LeBron James or Serena Williams. I know I inspire little girls with my perseverance, determination and courage, too. It is these traits I have developed throughout my journey that I want to keep.

swami-nateshananda-saraswati-aka-n-amarnath-is-a-former-basketball-player-who-participated-in-the-1980-moscow-olympics

Sun Jul 28 22:01:43 IST 2024

For Swami Nateshananda Saraswati, 70, shooting a basketball remains a meditative practice. In his purvashrama―the life before becoming a sanyasi of Advaita philosophy―he was N. Amarnath, a basketball star who represented India in the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics and led the Indian team in the 1982 Asian Games. In his prime, scoring field goals brought him immense joy. Today, his ultimate goal is moksha or liberation and oneness with Brahman, the supreme cosmic power in Advaita.

Being at the ‘kuticaka’ (first) stage of sanyasa, Saraswati lives alone in a flat in Coimbatore. The colour saffron dominates the decor, including the bedsheets. THE WEEK visited him on the eve of his trip to Rishikesh Dayananda Ashram ahead of Guru Purnima. “Kuticaka sanyasis live in one place, just abiding in the knowledge,” said the Olympian, who embraced the sanyasi life a year after his wife’s death in 2018.

Saraswati believes that destiny has always taken him on routes he had never expected or foreseen. “There are many talented players who played for India. But how many could become captain,” he asked. “Destiny had that for me, even though my parents named me after the legendary cricket captain Lala Amarnath, hoping I, too, would be an Indian skipper one day.”

Born to a Brahmin family in 1954, Saraswati used to be an all-round cricketer during his school days in Periyakulam, a small town in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district. “I was a decent off-spinner and a one-down batsman,” he recalled. However, at the age of 16, he fell in love with basketball. His first coach was town postmaster Padmanabhan, who used to train the youth in his locality in his spare time. He started playing for the sports club and was also part of his college team. Soon, the 5’9” player got jobs under the sports quota, first at Madura Coats, then at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and finally at the State Bank of India. Saraswati had great admiration for the ICF team, but back then getting a job in India’s top bank was like a dream come true. “Because of the declaration of Emergency, I had to wait for two years, from 1975 to 1977, to join the bank,” he said. The working hours at the bank gave him ample time to practise daily, and his game improved by leaps and bounds. Little did he know then that destiny had been preparing him and a bunch of others to be India’s first Olympic basketball squad.

In the 1979 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship, India came fifth. China was at the top, followed by Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. The tournament finished in the second week of December and almost two weeks later Afghanistan was invaded by Soviet forces.

The Summer Olympics of 1980 was scheduled to be held in Moscow, and the American bloc started a movement towards either boycotting the games altogether or moving them out of the Soviet Union to pressure the Soviets to pull out of Afghanistan. The Soviets did not give heed to the deadline declared by the Jimmy Carter administration and this, in turn, pushed US allies to pull their Olympic teams from the Moscow games. Saraswati got selected to the Indian national team for the first time in early 1980 when this boycott movement had been gaining momentum in other parts of the world. “I was selected to the Indian team for a Gulf tour of 10 matches,” he said. “Even then, nobody knew India would go to the Olympics.”

China, the ABC champion, was supposed to play in the Olympics. But China boycotted the Olympics, and so did Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. “So, India got the invitation,” said Saraswati. “It was up to the government to decide whether to send us to Moscow. P.N. Sankaran, then secretary general of the Basketball Federation of India, did an exemplary job of persuading the government. He convinced the authorities that the Olympic team could be selected from the inter-zone championship and could be trained for a month before being sent to Moscow.”

Legendary Services coach Captain M. Rajan, while picking the squad for Moscow, considered only merit and discipline. That helped Saraswati earn a place in the team, despite being one of the shortest players. The team had its pre-Olympics practice season at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala.

“I was then working in a branch where many exporters [were clients]. The exporters and the bank staff gifted me a thick brown leather overcoat to beat the cold weather in Russia,” recalled Saraswati. “When we landed in Russia, it was 18°C. The days were too long and nights were short. For the first time, we were going beyond the Gulf and Asia to play. There was real excitement.”

The Indian team was not comparable with the other teams. “But we went there with the attitude that we must do our best, play a good game and also learn,” said Saraswati. “Back then, we did not have TVs. So, we did not even know how the other teams would play. Embassies used to arrange some screenings. That way, we saw videos of American players playing. That’s it.”

The Games Village in itself was a wonder for the Indian team. “We were surprised to find a machine that had juice coming out on the press of a button,” recalled Saraswati. “It was almost 45 years ago. We had seen only water taps until then, not juice vending machines.” India was placed in Group A along with host Soviet Union, who were the favourites to win gold. “And, our opening match itself was against the host in a 60,000-capacity indoor stadium,” said Saraswati, adding that they were not too fussed about it as India had nothing to lose. India finished last in the 12-team event. “We had hoped to give a good challenge to Senegal,” recalled Saraswati. But Senegal, too, beat India 81-59 in a match for minor placing.

After the Olympics, Saraswati found a place on the Indian team that went to the ABC Championship held in Kolkata in 1981 and an international tournament in South Korea in 1982. Before the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1982, he was made the captain of the Indian team. “I came to know about it when I went to write a bank-related exam in Delhi. I bought a newspaper and saw the news that I was made captain,” he said. Under his leadership, India had some memorable performances at the Asian Games, although the team only secured the eighth position in the tournament. Against the powerful Philippines, India delivered a tight fight, losing by only eight points (108-100).

In 1983, Saraswati had a knee injury, but did not undergo surgery. Since then, his performance declined as jumping became painful. He was dropped from the national team and he turned to coaching for a while. Soon, he ended his basketball career to focus on banking.

During this phase, he met Malathi, who also worked at the bank. “It was a love marriage,” said Saraswati. In the early 1990s, the couple developed an interest in spiritual learning, which was further influenced by their transfer from Chennai to Coimbatore. “It was like my guru was waiting for me in Coimbatore,” he said. “On the day we arrived, a neighbour invited me to Bhagavad Gita sessions in his flat. He told me that brahmachari Dheera Chaithanya, a disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, [who had founded various centres for teaching Vedanta around the world and is said to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s spiritual guru], was coming to give lessons. Later when my guru took sanyasa, he took the name Swami Sudheerananda. There are 700 shlokas in Bhagavad Gita, and from 1995 to 2004, we studied Gita under him.” Saraswati said that job transfers usually happened every three years. But his transfer order came only after he had completed learning the 700 shlokas.

The couple had a great devotion to their guru. In the early 2000s, Malathi received a mantra deeksha from Swami Sudheerananda―a secret mantra to chant with faith and devotion. Almost 15 years later, despite his failing health and being confined to a wheelchair, Sudheerananda travelled to Rishikesh to initiate his Olympian disciple to sanyasa on July 16, 2019.

Saraswati retired from SBI in 2014 after 37 years of service across 16 branches. Malathi and he initially wished to settle in Srirangam, a neighbourhood in the city of Tiruchirappalli. However, he believes that destiny brought him back to Coimbatore, where he bought a flat to be close to his guru.

Post retirement though, basketball made a comeback in Saraswati’s life. Close to his flat is the Perks Public School where K. Murugesan, currently coach for the Tamil Nadu women’s junior basketball team, trains grassroots-level talents. The Olympian is a regular visitor to the court. Now, except for the times when he is in Rishikesh or on spiritual journeys, he visits the court to meet young players. He, however, says that post Olympics, India’s sports system failed to utilise the experience gained by the only Olympian basketball players. But he has no complaints, only acceptance of life as it is.

“Basketball, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras are three things I learned in this life,” he said, adding that he continues to be a student of Vedanta and is living in the light of the knowledge that “everything is one with the supreme Brahman”.

head-coach-gautam-gambhir-can-leave-a-lasting-impact-on-indian-cricket

Sat Jul 20 11:43:29 IST 2024

Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team was a fait accompli after Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL title this year. It was a memorable ghar wapsi for Gambhir, who had captained the franchise to title wins in 2012 and 2014. Midway through the season, Rahul Dravid announced that he was not interested in an extension of his tenure, which cleared the path for Gambhir to take over.

While he boasts an impressive body of work in all three formats at the international and domestic levels, Gambhir’s task is onerous considering the hugely successful tenures of Dravid, and before him, Ravi Shastri.

Under Dravid, India reached the final of ICC tournaments in all three formats in a fascinating 18-month period, culminating in the T20 World Cup victory that finally broke a 13-year barren spell.

Under Shastri, India could not secure an ICC title, but they did win their first-ever series in Australia in 2018-19, followed by an astonishing repeat performance in 2020-21 with an injury-hit team that had looked like fodder for the revenge-hungry Aussies.

Against this backdrop, comparisons are inevitable. So, while Gambhir takes guard at a time when Indian cricket is riding a crest, expectations from India’s manic fans have also risen exponentially; fundamentally from players, of course, but also from the coach, who now plays such a crucial role in the sport.

The frequency with which coaches in Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been dispensed with in recent times highlights how demanding the job can be. In this respect, Indian cricket has been more steadfast, not dumping coaches (and/or captains) with every setback. But this does not diminish the onus and pressure.

The Indian head coach job is arguably the most coveted and financially rewarding assignment in cricket today, but it is by no means a smug haven for a former player, however accomplished, to find refuge. The scrutiny on the results he produces is intense, harsh and continuous.

So, what are the challenges confronting Gambhir?

Striking up a good rapport with the captain, the critical decision maker in the middle, is paramount. The logic in this is simplistic, but a healthy symbiotic relationship is not necessarily automatic. It comes with effort. Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli, which looked like jodi No. 1 when forged, collapsed within weeks. A decade earlier, the bitter Greg Chappell-Sourav Ganguly fallout had roiled Indian cricket.

Incompatibility between coach and captain is not an Indian or subcontinental phenomenon as some argue. A couple of years back, the tug-of-war between Justin Langer and Pat Cummins exposed the heavily extolled and romanticised camaraderie of the Australian dressing room as myth.

Both coach and captain (justifiably, even more so) are power centres whose relationship can strongly influence dressing room dynamics, including camaraderie between players, team selection and effective deployment of tactics.

For instance, Shastri and Kohli were in complete sync about strengthening pace bowling to win Test matches, especially overseas. India’s Test record when they were in tandem is fantastic.

Dravid and Rohit recast the team’s approach in white-ball cricket, creating a new ethos that had implications on player selection and batting orders. Getting Kohli to open in the T20 World Cup with Rishabh Pant at one down, using Kuldeep Yadav as a strike bowler in the middle overs, and Axar Patel as a floater in the batting order paid rich dividends that might not have come if captain and coach were pulling in different directions.

In this aspect, Gambhir has a more daunting task as he will have to work with two captains. Splitting the captaincy and coaching is not uncommon in contemporary cricket, but it is a departure from the norm in India. Shastri and Kohli worked together in all formats, as did Dravid and Rohit. Gambhir will have to tune himself with two different leaders for different formats. Some players will overlap across formats, which can increase the ‘man-management quotient’ for both captain and coach.

Building the best combinations for different formats, in collaboration with the captain and the selectors, is another major challenge ahead for Gambhir. The retirement of Rohit, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja leaves India’s T20I team a trifle wobbly. Not weak, as India’s talent pool is rich, but missing the class and experience of these three. Getting the right players into the mix is key.

In the longer formats, too, team composition and forging winning combos demand clear vision, focused planning and strong decision making. Some players like R. Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli are in their late 30s, which is a vulnerable age. Managing their workload along with that of key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami (who should be returning from a long injury break), will be critical to India’s prospects.

Big-ticket tournaments loom. Next year will see the Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final. In 2026, the T20 World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka, and in 2027 comes the ODI World Cup. These afford India the opportunity to be considered among the great teams in history. This is even more pertinent in Test cricket, where India, despite looking the best team, have failed to win the WTC twice.

The coach’s role is vital in reaching such a pedestal.

There is no template nor a fixed personality type for being a successful coach. Shastri―aggressive, outspoken, often bombastic―had a ring-leader kind of persona that helped him inspire the best out of players in challenging situations. Dravid, measured and studied, was more subliminal, relying on processes, systems and data-led advance planning, yet not risk-averse when the situation demanded.

Gambhir―feisty, in-your-face and outspoken―has had some compunctions accompanying his candidature. He is aggressive, but also tactically astute and fiercely ambitious. If he strikes the right chord with his captains and players, he can leave a lasting impact on Indian cricket.

the-t20-world-cup-has-put-cricket-on-the-radar-of-americans

Sat Jun 29 13:17:47 IST 2024

IN A NATION OBSESSED with baseball, basketball and American football, cricket has been like a stepchild, a non-starter, a mere question, “What is that?”

While South Asians are one of the fastest growing segments of the American population, and there are many players from former Commonwealth countries, is the sport catching on with the mainstream?

Some white commentators in the media have written about attending the World Cup matches and they have marvelled about the carnival atmosphere, the lively music and the fact that the concession stands offer chicken tikka masala and samosas along with the standard hot dogs and popcorn. But, when it comes to finding avid white fans―or fans of any colour―who are besotted with cricket or play as a pro, it is like hunting for a needle in a haystack.

Bernard Bercik, a 16-year-old cricketer, has actually left his country in search of greener pastures. A true-blue American, he left because he was not getting anywhere in his quest. He has actually done a reverse American Dream migration to the Netherlands, where he plays for The Royal Den Haag cricket club.

Bernard is of Hungarian and Irish descent; his father was a colonel in the US army once deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. His mother worked with the US navy. There is no cricket heritage in the family. “My father has never picked up a bat,” says Bernard. “My mom has never picked up a bat. They did not even know what cricket was. They just cared about what their son cared about. They were willing to do anything to make me happy.”

His obsession with cricket started when he was eight and watched a game on Willow, the American television channel for cricket. He wanted to play so badly that his mother called the local cricket club, but it was open only to members. His parents could not afford it. He was only in second grade and since the Philadelphia International Cricket Festival was going on, he attended some free cricket clinics. He got to flip the coin for the final match of the series and got a signed ball from a former international player. The tournament included clubs from the Netherlands, England, the US and Canada, and after that one lucky stroke, the boy was on his own.

The next few years were arid. “It was actually quite a challenge. They did not have a youth team and then Covid hit,” he says. His family moved to Boston and there was no cricket there at that time. At 15, he returned to Philadelphia and started finally playing with the country clubs he had tossed a coin for: “They taught me how to play and I became decent,” he says.

But it was a tough road. “Actually, I got a lot of hate for it,” he says. “I was really ostracised by my friends because I was playing cricket. They expected me to play baseball or basketball, as they saw cricket as an inferior sport.”

The cricket community where he lived was mostly Indian; he did not fit in there because he was white, and was not expected to play cricket. “One time, my parents hosted a curry party for the team, because they are all Indian except for us,” he recalls. “And the moms came to my mom, and they told her, ‘You know your son is white, right?’ And my mom said, ‘I do not understand what you are saying’. They were saying he is white, he is not a cricketer. It really, really broke my mom’s heart because she thought we were all friends. My only fear is that cricket becomes segregated by group. I do want cricket to connect all people from all different countries.”

Unable to find a competitive league in Philadelphia, he went over to the Netherlands with his mother. There he had another lucky stroke―a man who repaired cricket bats hired him as his apprentice and got him into the Royal Den Haag Cricket Club. He is currently a brand ambassador for B3, a bat company. He says it was tough to move to a new continent where your language is not spoken and the sport is foreign to even the Dutch.

“It really changed me,” he says. “I do not think I would have been able to play cricket at a high level if I had not come here, and I did a full season. Then Mr Maximo (commentator) of the European cricket network invited me to come play cricket in the European Cricket Series in Gibraltar for the Pirates. There I played with some of the best players I have ever faced. Now I am in my second season in the Netherlands playing cricket, and I am working with George Samuel of the Queens United Cricket Academy in New York to find a way to get me into the US national team.”

George Samuel sounds like a mainstream name, but this George is originally from Kerala. Cricket is his passion and he started his academy seven years ago in Queens and on Long Island. “We are the one of the largest cricket academies, and produce 90 per cent of the state- to national-level players,” he says. “Players in Team USA also come to us for coaching.” He says all his clients are from former Commonwealth countries and Bernard has been the only mainstream American.

In the Netherlands, Bernard found out soon enough that cricket was taken more seriously. There, he had private training, housing and also classes in Dutch. “These kids coming out of the Netherlands, they are dedicating their whole lives to cricket, and I think they are going to become like the Aussies, like the West Indies,” he says. “The reason is that they, and their parents, like my parents, will support them for as long as they can. I am American and I want to come back home and play cricket. Hopefully I will be able to get on the US national team. My goal is to play in the 2028 Olympics.”

Does he think the US can eventually become a cricket hub for all Americans? “I think America could do it. It is just that there is a lot of hostility toward cricket. I lost everything, all of my friends―they view cricket as a weak, old man’s sport, or as an Indian or British sport.”

There are other potholes, too. There are not enough training facilities, no pitches and not enough media supporting it. Americans also want great logos, good social media teams, proper television coverage and really good uniforms.

Bernard’s uncle does not think Americans will pick up cricket because it is too complicated. Bernard disagrees; he thinks T20 and The Hundred are good for American audiences, and wants cricket to be presented and promoted in a different way. “You need covers for stadiums―you cannot have Americans sitting out there, baking in the hot sun. They will not do it.”

Samuel is also hopeful about the future of cricket, and his vision is to be inclusive and provide cricket education to all American children.

The T20 World Cup has put cricket on the radar of Americans and, given a changing country and diverse population trends, there may be many more aspiring Bernards in the future. Give it 10 to 15 years, Samuel predicts.

―Lavina Melwani is a New York-based writer who blogs at Lassi with Lavina

farewell-to-indian-football-legend-sunil-chhetri

Sat Jun 15 11:55:06 IST 2024

Perhaps Sunil Chhetri always knew that the pursuit of football in India would never fetch him the stardom enjoyed by the country’s cricketers. Playing for the club or for the country, he had only limited triumphs to seek. So, Chhetri made it more about the journey than the destination. He chose to cherish the voyage over the port of call.

So, it is pointless to reflect on India’s disappointing performance against Kuwait on June 6 at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata―Chhetri’s last international match. The goalless draw was a second-round qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Had India won it, their chances to proceed to the third round, where top 18 Asian teams would battle for World Cup glory, would have been bolstered. But it was not to be. Under the overcast Kolkata sky, Chhetri failed to manufacture a miracle, but had clearly earned the right to leave the field with his head held high.

“He was [not tall], but could score goals with his head, by dribbling past players, by shooting from a distance. He had everything,” said Subrata Bhattacharya, Chhetri’s first senior coach, who is also his father-in-law. “After watching him play, I asked the Mohun Bagan management to sign him.” Thus began Chhetri’s 19-year-long professional journey in which he would represent India in 151 international matches and score 94 goals.

Although he was born in Secunderabad, Chhetri spent most of his childhood in Darjeeling. Football was in his blood as his father, K.B. Chhetri, had played for the Army team, and his mother, Sushila, once represented Nepal.

It was not easy for Chhetri in his initial days, despite joining Mohun Bagan in 2002. He quickly realised the brutal truth about the Kolkata maidan: you get what you earn. Though there were flashes of brilliance, his journey with the Mariners never truly soared in the first three seasons. “I wanted him to stay with Mohun Bagan because I knew about his ability. But I was not the owner of the club,” said Bhattacharya. Chhetri quit and moved to JCT in 2005. He also made his senior international debut that year.

Chhetri returned to Kolkata in 2008 with East Bengal, Mohun Bagan’s arch rivals. He always harboured the dream of becoming the first Indian to play regularly in Europe. In 2009, he attended selection trials at England’s Coventry City and Scotland’s Celtic, but failed to make the cut. He finally got a contract with English club Queens Park Rangers; but because of India’s subpar FIFA ranking, he was denied a work permit. He also tried his luck with US Major League Soccer side Kansas City Wizards and even played a friendly against Manchester United before leaving the club for unknown reasons. His next foreign stint was with Portuguese top-tier team Sporting Lisbon, but that, too, did not last. He later claimed that “the pace was too fast”.

Bhattacharya told THE WEEK that the Indian system was unable to produce players at par with European standards. “Chhetri was great, but he was a product of Indian football, after all. He didn’t fail. Indian football failed to make him a player of European standards,” he said.

But Chhetri’s foreign experience helped him raise the level of his game, as he focused more on his fitness and diet. “Chhetri’s story is one of sacrifice and dedication. He gave up all his desires,” said Rahim Nabi, former India footballer and Chhetri’s colleague in the national team and in East Bengal. “He came from having biryani a day before his international debut to working with personal trainers and nutritionists. He follows a strict vegetarian diet now. These are the reasons why he went above others.”

Aided by his brilliance, India qualified for the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, after a gap of 26 years. He helped India play the continental championship in 2019 and 2024 as well. With Chhetri, India won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, the South Asian Football Federation Cup four times, the Nehru Cup thrice and the Intercontinental Cup twice.

In club football, Chhetri won the I-League four times, once each with Dempo and Churchill Brothers and twice with Bengaluru FC. He won the Indian Super League with Bengaluru in 2017-18. Chhetri also won the Durand Cup and the Federation Cup, and was a seven-time recipient of the All India Football Federation’s player of the year award.

Nabi said Chhetri’s departure from Kolkata to the more professional set up of the Bengaluru FC helped him. “He became the legend that he is in Bengaluru. Kolkata clubs put unnecessary pressure and mostly rely on foreign players in forward positions. Bengaluru trusted and invested in him and he paid them back,” he said.

It was with Bengaluru that Chhetri reignited his aspiration for glory in the grandest of international stages. He valiantly led his team to the final of the AFC Cup in 2016, Asia’s second-tier continental club competition, but failed to win the cup.

Chhetri’s unwavering dedication to be counted as one of the best was rewarded by a hugely successful international career, evoking comparisons with all-time greats like Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. He is mentioned alongside them solely for his individual brilliance, for the number of goals he scored. Till June 6, he was the third highest active international goal scorer, after Ronaldo and Messi.

Indian sporting legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, P.V. Sindhu and Neeraj Chopra greeted Chhetri on his retirement. Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and captains the Croatian national team, sent him a personal message.

As Chhetri finished his final international game, nearly 60,000 spectators in Salt Lake started chanting his name. He did a lap of honour around the stadium, acknowledging the spontaneous outpouring of love from his fans, and tears welled up in his eyes. His family, including his wife, Sonam, too, could not hold back tears. The AIFF, the government of West Bengal, the Army and his former teammates paid their tributes. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gifted him a gold chain that she designed herself.

At the end of it, Chhetri faced the crowd one last time. His voice trembled as he tried to console them. “These 19 years would not have been possible without each and everyone of you,” he said. “Shobai bhalo thakben, shobai khushi thakben (everyone please take care, please be happy).”

THIRD HIGHEST ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL GOAL SCORER (till June 6)

MOST GOALS FOR INDIA-94

MOST APPEARANCES FOR INDIA-151

AIFF PLAYER OF THE YEAR-7 TIMES

MOST HAT-TRICKS FOR INDIA-4

sunil-chhetri-s-wife-sonam-bhattacharya-about-her-husband-s-career-and-dedication-to-football

Sat Jun 15 11:50:21 IST 2024

EXCLUSIVE

Let’s go home,” Sunil whispered in my ears after playing his last international match and crying his heart out at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata. Perhaps he knew that I, and all others in the family, wanted him to continue, but what would make us happier is to see him spend more time at home. We have not yet come to terms with the fact that Sunil Chhetri has retired from the Indian team.

A month ago, when he told us after meeting his grandmother that the June 6 match would be his last, we thought he was joking. I asked him if he wanted to wait for some more time; if India were to qualify for the third round, then matches would become tougher and the team would need him. He, however, convinced us that Indian football was now ready to go ahead without him.

As a fan, I wanted him to continue. As a wife, my heart swells with hope that he will now be able to spend more time with his family. Sunil, too, wishes the same for he has not spent much time with his parents and our son, Dhruv. I saw Sunil the happiest when our son was born, but he had to join the national team within 10 days. It is a small regret he carries, and now, I sense a determination in him to change that. Since he will continue with club football, his daily routine will largely remain the same. He will still continue with his fitness regime and strict diet. However, secretly, now I want him to get back to eating meat and other non-vegetarian dishes that he once loved because he will be playing less football. He was such a foodie before he started following a strict vegetarian diet. My mother, too, would love to cook for him his favourite mutton again.

But then this is how Sunil became the great footballer whom everyone knows today. After he was declared the national team captain in 2011, I saw him change as a person and as a footballer. The casual Sunil Chhetri transformed into a disciplined and authoritative figure, meticulously planning his days and strictly adhering to routines. His training methods underwent a dramatic shift, propelling his game to new heights. The boy who relished biryani before his international debut evolved into a man who embraced a vegetarian diet for faster injury recovery.

I can tell the world the path was not easy because I have been at his side since the beginning. We met for the first time in 2004 during his Mohun Bagan days. I told him I was his fan, hiding the fact that my father, Subrata Bhattacharya, was his coach. But funnily enough, I could not keep the truth from him for long. My dad’s mobile phone was damaged and somehow the responsibility to fix it fell on Sunil. My number was saved in my father’s mobile as Mem (my nickname). When I called dad one day, Sunil saw the number and got suspicious. He asked me, “Your name is Sonam, then who is Mem and why do both of you share the same number?” When I told him the truth, he avoided me for three months because of fear. He said, “My football career will be over.”

But things gradually changed and both of us fell in love. He moved to JCT and became a regular in the national team. As a result, we could only meet three or four times a year and had to rely on long-distance calls. But the anticipation of those calls and our rare meetings bridged our distances and deepened our love. When the time came to reveal our hearts to our families, Sunil handled everything. He met my dad and expressed our desire to be married. My dad, perhaps sensing destiny’s hand, did not object and we exchanged vows in 2017.

Sunil has always been like this. He embraced challenges. Despite countless hardships throughout his career, I still cannot tell the world what has been his most difficult moment. He never behaved as if something was bothering him till the final whistle on June 6. I did not expect him to break down and cry like he did. Ending his national career was probably the most difficult moment of his life. It made all of us emotional, but I found solace in his tears. He felt relieved, shedding the weight that he had been carrying since announcing his retirement a month ago. He shattered the stigma that disciplined and strong men do not cry. Perhaps they should, for it makes them undeniably human.

―Sonam is Sunil Chhetri’s wife.

As told to Niladry Sarkar.

t20-world-cup-decoding-the-strenghs-and-weaknesses-of-top-teams

Fri May 31 14:34:17 IST 2024

While cricket arrived in the US along with migrants from England, and the first ‘international’ match on American soil―Canada versus US―was played in 1844, the country has since snubbed cricket, forging its own distinct sporting culture through baseball, basketball and American football.

Spreading cricket to the Americas has been a long-standing desire of the International Cricket Council. Primarily for monetary reasons, but also to expand the horizons of cricket. Though immigrants brought cricket with them to America, it was only after those from the subcontinent, particularly India, reached a critical population mass and had substantive disposable income, that cricket in the US got a fillip.

Whether the US turns out to be the El Dorado for cricket will depend on how this tournament pans out, and more particularly on how India fares. A fine show by India, perchance a title win, would create a more dazzling aura for cricket that would not only hook Indian-Americans further, but also spread the gospel of cricket to people from various other countries in the melting pot that is the US.

On the field, India face the challenge of living up to the reputation of being the most powerful cricketing nation, not just in the corridors of power, but also on the field of play. In 2007, when the T20 World Cup started, India were surprise winners. Since then, they have not won the title. In fact, since 2013, India have not won any ICC Trophy. For Rohit Sharma and his team, correcting that record should be top priority.

INDIA

An abundance of talent, honed in the IPL and other domestic tournaments, has not quite worked to India’s advantage. Barring 2014, when they lost to Sri Lanka, India have failed to make the final of the T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition.

Strengths: Rohit Sharma leads a team rich in skill, experience and youthful energy. Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were in sublime form in the recent IPL. Rishabh Pant’s return from injury gives the team an X factor.

Concerns: The form of some key players has been dicey, namely of the captain himself and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Also, there is absence of quality, in-form pace bowlers to support Bumrah.

AUSTRALIA

Pat Cummins, who led his country to the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup titles, yields the T20I captaincy to all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, whose career has had a massive second wind in the past year or so.

The reason to relieve Cummins of the captaincy was to ease the pressure on the magnificent fast bowler, allowing him more bandwidth to excel only as a player.

Strengths: Explosive top order with David Warner in decent nick. Presence of quality all-rounders in Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Cummins, along with longstanding fellow pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, form arguably the most potent fast-bowling attack in the tournament.

Concerns: Spin department somewhat shallow despite Ashton Agar’s return. Maxwell’s form since the ODI World Cup has been too mercurial for comfort.

ENGLAND

The defending champions have retained the core group that helped them win the title in 2022, with one significant absentee―Ben Stokes. The brilliant all-rounder has opted out, ostensibly to work himself into prime fitness for bowling. But the loss is made up to some extent by pace ace Jofra Archer, who returns after a prolonged period of injuries.

Strengths: Jos Buttler, arguably the best T20 batter, has several stroke players to support him, like Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. Another plus is the seasoned spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, and a plethora of all-rounders.

Concerns: Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone were lukewarm in the IPL. England could miss a strong finisher while batting, and could see a lack of support for the main bowlers, pace or spin.

PAKISTAN

They slumped into deep trouble after a disastrous ODI World Cup campaign. Babar Azam was sacked as captain, several players were chopped and changed, and some key members were injured. In the past few weeks, though, the turmoil appears to have settled. As the saying goes, in Pakistan cricket, anything is possible. So Babar Azam is back at the helm, and Mohammad Amir, who had said bye-bye to international cricket, revoked his decision and has been welcomed back. On paper, the team is oozing talent, but which Pakistan will turn up on match day remains the million-dollar question.

Strengths: Pace bowling, what with Shaheen Afridi showing superb form recently, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah recovering from injury and a skilful Amir in the mix.

Concerns: Batting heavily dependent on Babar, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman. Spin all-rounders Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, who could be crucial on slow pitches, have had on-off careers. Most importantly, Babar’s influence as captain.

WEST INDIES

Despite the last-minute withdrawal of seasoned all-rounder Jason Holder through injury, and match-winner Sunil Narine declining to return to international cricket, the West Indies are serious contenders for the title. Playing on home pitches is a huge advantage, of course, but it is not just that. Most of the players have been in top form recently.

Strengths: The presence of all-rounders like Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd and Roston Chase. Shamar Joseph, Sherfane Rutherford, and a clutch of devastating power-hitters like Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer make the team sizzlingly hot.

Concerns: Spin department somewhat suspect, heavily dependent on Akeal Hosein. Tendency to play full throttle at all times can backfire. Too many ex-captains can lead to confusion in the ranks.

NEW ZEALAND

The Kiwis are chasing a title in white-ball cricket that has eluded them since forever. On paper, they look a team to challenge the best. The squad is perhaps shorn of mega stars barring captain Kane Williamson, but there is heft and depth that, with a little luck, can see them through till the end.

Strengths: Well-settled team, led by a calm and composed Williamson. Batting is explosive and runs deep. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson make a pace trio that can put the best batters to the test.

Concerns: Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi have to be in top form on these pitches. Also, the team has to overcome the mental block of losing finals.

SOUTH AFRICA

In Aiden Markram, they have a fine, aggressive batter and a captain with a steady hand. Quinton de Kock can be destructive at the top, Heinrich Klaasen in the middle, and Markram has the ability and temperament to play the fulcrum. If the other batters and all-rounders pitch in and give the bowlers enough runs to defend, South Africa could upset the calculations of better-ranked teams.

Strengths: Dynamite batting if de Kock, Klaasen and Markram click. Kagiso Rabada is a serious pace threat anywhere, and firebrand Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen can provide splendid pace support. Experienced, skilful spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. Brilliant fielding side.

Concerns: Batting vulnerable if the big three do not click. South Africans have been notoriously fickle and fallible under pressure.

SRI LANKA

Often akin to a game of Russian roulette, the Sri Lankan captaincy for this tournament has fallen on leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. The squad includes former captains like Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis, which can be a boon or bane, depending on how Hasaranga handles the dressing-room dynamics.

At their best, Sri Lanka have been an incandescent side, lighting up arenas with individual and collective brilliance. At their worst, they have been lacklustre, tepid and defeatist.

Strengths: Sparkling batting top order, with veteran Angelo Mathews as the pivot. Hasaranga is a proven match-winner, and the bowling attack includes the impressive Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana.

Concerns: Players do not often show enough ambition, or sustain their performance throughout a tournament.

BANGLADESH

The big complaint against Bangladesh is of spot-jogging, making very little progress since getting officially recognised by the ICC almost a quarter century back. This tournament affords a splendid opportunity to correct this impression.

Over the years, Bangladesh have produced some exciting and wonderful players. But controversies, power struggles between players and authorities, and players themselves have gathered more headlines than performances. Najmul Hossain Shanto, appointed captain in all formats recently, has an onerous task, but also an opportunity to turn things around. For that he has the twin challenge to find top form himself and also to hold the team together.

Strengths: The return of champion all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, pace ace Mustafizur Rahman showing fine form in the IPL, and the talented Mahedi Hasan and Taskin Ahmed recovering from injury in time could all help Shanto reshape Bangladesh’s image in international cricket.

Concerns: Batting remains fickle. Players like Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar are effervescent stroke players, but terribly inconsistent. Also, they have a poor track record of playing as a team.

AFGHANISTAN

After their giant-killing performances in last year’s ODI World Cup, Afghanistan start this tournament as the dark horses. The shorter the format, more level the playing field between teams. What makes the hardy Afghans dangerous is their robust grit, determination and desire to make an impact. Captain Rashid Khan is widely considered as the best spinner in T20 cricket. Over the past seven-eight years, Afghanistan has also started producing fast bowlers and batters who can hold their own against the best.

Strengths: Never-say-die spirit, great intensity on the field, and deep ambition. Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi make a formidable spin foursome who could revel on slow pitches.

Concerns: Not enough depth of international experience for most players. The batting is top heavy and hence vulnerable, and there is not enough depth in pace bowling.

patience-and-calmness-are-the-hallmarks-of-gukesh-s-chess-game

Sat Apr 27 11:51:01 IST 2024

In 2013, a seven-year-old walked into a tournament hall in Chennai and stood in awe as he saw Viswanathan Anand take on Magnus Carlsen. Eleven years later, not only has Gukesh D. beaten Carlsen and overtaken Anand in the ratings, he has become the youngest to win the FIDE candidates tournament. The Chennai boy will now challenge champion Ding Liren later in the year.

“Gukesh’s accomplishment has smashed all records,” Pravin Thipsay, India’s third grandmaster, told THE WEEK. His campaign was steady; he went up against more fancied opponents like the Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, the Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi and also against fellow Indians Vidit Gujrathi and Praggnanandhaa. He finished with five wins in the 14 rounds, and his only loss came against the Iranian-French Alireza Firouzja in the seventh round. He went into his final game at the top of the leader board, and drew the match against Nakamura. He ultimately won after the match between Nepomniachtchi and Caruana ended in a draw, which meant neither of them could equal Gukesh’s score of nine points.

In his final game against Nakamura, it was Gukesh’s calmness that helped him. Faced with a Queen’s Gambit Accepted (an opening in chess), Nakamura made a surprising move―7.a3 (moving his leftmost pawn forward)―which he later called a “slight inaccuracy”. But Gukesh was ready for the surprise.

“If I had to pinpoint a moment where I really felt this could be my moment, it was probably after the seventh game, after I lost to Firouzja,” Gukesh told the media after he won. “Even though I just had a painful loss, I was feeling at my absolute best. Maybe this loss gave me so much motivation.”

Gukesh, a prodigy, became grandmaster at 12; he was at the time the second youngest to achieve the feat. He was also the youngest player to beat World Champion Carlsen, in 2022, and also won a gold medal at the Chess Olympiad that year. It was his stellar performance on the FIDE circuit that secured his qualification for the candidates.

The Tamil Nadu government also helped. To boost his rating in time for the candidates, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu sponsored a last-minute tournament in Chennai. “The state government has been supporting the young talents not just through matches but also through incentives,” SDAT CEO Meghanatha Reddy told THE WEEK. The Olympiad in 2022 was also a feather in the cap of the state government.

The ecosystem in Tamil Nadu is such that the state chess association and the government work together to produce more international masters at the district, state and national levels, not just from Chennai but also from smaller towns. Reddy said that Gukesh also drew strength from the SDAT’s moves to support the players.

Born to an ENT surgeon father and a microbiologist mother, Gukesh’s journey to the top was a bit different. For starters, he did not rely on chess engines, instead trusting his brain to guide him. “All youngsters go for computer evaluation of the position,” said Thipsay. “But Gukesh does not go for the lines suggested by the engine. His focus is outstanding.”

Gukesh has always been calm on the board, trying to get the opponent to make a mistake. In round five against Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov, he missed a chance to go for the kill in the 40th move. However, he stayed in the game and waited. They went on for six hours. Abasov blundered in his 83rd move, and Gukesh won in the next four.

Talking to the media following his last match with Nakamura, Gukesh said that he was in a “wait and watch” state of mind. And though his draw against Nakamura proved enough, he said he was ready for the tiebreak in case Caruana or Nepomniachtchi had won their last game. “His patience and his mental state,” said Thipsay, “give him his strength.”

five-time-chess-world-champion-viswanathan-anand-interview

Sat Apr 27 11:48:12 IST 2024

Interview/ Viswanathan Anand, five-time world champion

Last August, Gukesh D. overtook Viswanathan Anand to become the highest-rated Indian chess player. It was a bittersweet moment for Anand; on the one hand, his 37-year reign had ended, but on the other, it was one of his proteges who had dislodged him.

On April 21, Gukesh went one step further. He won the candidates tournament, the youngest to do so at 17, and will now face champion Ding Liren of China later in the year. “This is the greatest accomplishment by any of the current crop of Indian talents,” Anand told THE WEEK in an interview where he spoke about the feat, Gukesh’s chances against the champion and what sets him apart. Excerpts:

Q/ Having worked with Gukesh, how satisfied are you personally with this feat?

A/ There is not much room for interpretation. This is a historic record. [He is the] youngest ever candidate, which gives him the possibility to be the youngest world champion. I feel very, very happy that we have been working together for four years with WACA (WestBridge Anand Chess Academy), and that it has happened so fast, that he has exploded in strength.

Q/ How would you sum up Gukesh’s campaign in the candidates?

A/ He was steady throughout. He got a plus-score very fast, dropped the plus-score slightly with the one setback in that tournament, which was against [Alireza] Firouzja. He then steadied the ship, won the very next day, and fought back to a good position. He just played the position in front of him. He did not do anything crazy. And it looks almost preordained, but five or ten minutes before the result came in, we were looking at a tiebreak because [Fabiano] Caruana’s position was so winning (the game between Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi ended in a draw; if either had won, they would have faced Gukesh in a tiebreak). And so there is that element of uncertainty as well. These are some of the highest-rated players in history. To be half-point ahead of them in this field, in this setting, is mind-boggling.

Q/ What sets Gukesh apart from the young brigade of Indians?

A/ Before the tournament, I was not able to pick from one of the Indians. I thought they all had a chance. But I think, slowly, it is beginning to take shape. One thing that stood out in Toronto was his ability not to be affected by the atmosphere or by the results. And sometimes if you look relaxed, you probably are relaxed. He has that self-control.

Q/ Gukesh did not rely on chess engines in his early years. Do you think that was a risky move?

A/ I do not think it was a risky move. Because the point is, you can look at the engines yourself. Or one of your trainers can do it for you. I mean, in the end, we are all benefiting from it. It is the same as you looking up a restaurant on the phone or your friend doing it, and then you walk together [to it]. But what I like is the attitude. What he is saying is, ‘I am going to try and solve every position in my head while you are checking and giving me the right answer.’ And I think he got that discipline or desire quite early. And it is quite rare for a young person to exercise that kind of self-control. That is pretty impressive.

Q/ How do you assess his chances against Ding Liren?

A/ I think very decent. On current form. That is a very important statement because a lot will change between now and when the match happens, which is scheduled for November or December. But on current form, Gukesh has done spectacularly. [Look at] his performance in Toronto against peers of Ding [like] [Hikaru] Nakamura, Caruana and Nepomniachtchi. All these players are top 10 rivals, and Ding is in fact now behind Gukesh in the rating list. But the point is, it is a special match and he should work hard and get up to speed. I am pretty confident he will do that.

Q/ Is this the biggest moment of this new era of Indian chess?

A/ Yes. Had they won the Olympiad two years ago, you could at least begin to compare it. But come on, this is a candidate and at an individual level, this is the greatest accomplishment by any of the current crop of Indian talents.

Q/ There could be this cloud hanging over any world champion now that Magnus Carlsen is not in the race. Would that affect public perception?

A/ No, it is what it is. I mean, Magnus has made it pretty clear he is not going to play. But this candidates, you saw the public reaction to it. They still know a great rivalry. They saw these four players all able to qualify in the last round, all able to fight for the tiebreaks and the struggle they put up. I feel that people will enjoy Magnus’s games when he plays them and they will also enjoy this kind of chess. You will always have fans for [this] because it is gripping... there is emotion, drama, everything. I mean, this is just fantastic. And the numbers we are getting are also outstanding.

Q/ What would be the defining moment for you to say that world chess has entered into this Indian era?

A/ I am wary of these kinds of statements. This time, we got five people in. I mean, you can highlight what [Koneru] Humpy and Vaishali [Rameshbabu] did in the women’s section as well. I would not rule out that, based on qualifications, next time we have zero or four. Essentially, you have got 15 to 20 players, really strong players, fighting for eight spots. And so there is always this element of uncertainty. I continue to say that if you have four horses, you are going to do well in every race. And I think it is reasonable to look forward to at least one Indian in some stage of something, even in every major tournament. But I try not to get into Indian domination and all that yet. No country will ever dominate like the Soviet Union once did. That era has passed.

indian-olympic-association-president-p-t-usha-interview

Sat Apr 27 11:43:59 IST 2024

Interview/ P.T. Usha, president, Indian Olympic Association

Amid the Ram Navami festivities in Delhi, P.T. Usha was overseeing the relocation of her office to the sixth floor of Olympic Bhawan. She enthusiastically highlighted “the benefits of the increased natural lighting and the uplifting ambience of the new setting”.

Usha assumed the presidency of the Indian Olympic Association a year and a half ago, during a turbulent time in Indian sports. And despite the challenges and objections from within the organisation, she has confronted each issue head-on. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, she offered insights into the intricacies of Indian sports and detailed the country’s preparations for the Paris Olympics. Excerpts:

Q\ What are your aspirations for the Paris Olympics?

A\ This time, the groundwork began several months in advance, ensuring that there is no cause for concern. A sprawling 40,000sqft facility, India House, is being established in Paris with the backing of the Reliance Foundation. All travel and lodging details have been meticulously planned. The renowned sports medicine expert Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala has been appointed as the team’s chief medical officer.

For the first time, the team will be accompanied by a mental health specialist and a sleep consultant, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the preparations. The request to provide Indian cuisine to the athletes has been met to a certain degree, with efforts under way to supply staples such as dal and roti. An expert nutritionist is working closely with the athletes. Additionally, a fully equipped 600sqft physiotherapy centre offering services like ice baths and laser therapy has been established.

Q\ Has there been interest from top companies in sponsoring the Indian Olympic team?

A\ For the first time, the IOA has secured sponsorship funding of approximately Rs50 crore―double the support received during the Tokyo Olympics. This surge in sponsorship is largely attributed to the initiatives undertaken by the newly appointed CEO (Raghuram lyer).

Following the takeover by the new IOA governing body, the International Olympic Committee mandated the appointment of a CEO within two months. However, this position remained vacant for more than a year, leading to pressure from the IOC. Eventually, the CEO role was filled, following strict procedures. The selection process involved a panel comprising the IOA president, an IOC member, and the chairman of the Athletes’ Commission. IOC guidelines required the CEO to be a corporate figure with an internationally competitive salary. After a rigorous selection process from a pool of numerous candidates, Raghuram Iyer was chosen.

Q\ What are your thoughts on the current doping-related issues?

A\ India’s placement as second in the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency report has raised concerns. Efforts are underway to educate athletes and their coaches on the matter. Workshops will be conducted before the Paris Olympics, covering various topics such as health, conduct in Paris and the overall wellbeing of the athletes.

Q\ Have you found a replacement for Mary Kom?

A\ Mary Kom has resigned from her position as chef de mission for personal reasons, and an announcement about her successor is expected shortly. I believe it is crucial to incorporate diverse perspectives, especially in an organisation as significant as the IOA, which stands at the pinnacle of sports administration in our country.

Our primary aim should be to achieve excellence in our athletes, an objective I wholeheartedly pursue. My approach extends beyond merely executing decisions made by the IOA’s governing body and its president. For prestigious events like the Asian Games or the Olympics, the aspiration is to appoint esteemed figures as chef de mission. In line with this, Gagan Narang, a fellow executive council member, has been tasked with overseeing our shooters.

Q\ What is the medal tally India is aiming for in Paris?

A\ We are avoiding specifying an exact medal count to prevent placing undue pressure on the athletes. However, there are expectations for an improved performance compared with the Tokyo Olympics. With shooting, hockey and wrestling showing great promise, there is a prevailing sense of optimism within the country’s sports community.

Q\ Is the dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics still alive?

A\ It is indeed alive and part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the country. Discussions regarding this ambitious goal have already commenced, with two meetings completed. The IOA has been invited to observe the Paris Olympics, a step aimed at gaining insights into the intricacies of the Olympics. Over the next two to three months, additional meetings are planned. The process is divided into three stages―initial dialogue, targeted dialogue and, finally, a vote by the executive committee. Currently, we are in the phase of initial dialogue, engaging with all relevant stakeholders to weigh the challenges and benefits. Post-Paris, a visit from the IOC team is anticipated to assess potential host cities, among other considerations.

Equally important to the ambition of hosting the Olympics is the country’s focus on elevating its sports performance. The IOA aims to position India among the top 10 by the 2032 Olympics, a goal that is actively being pursued.

t20-cricket-world-cup-indian-team-players-ipl

Sat Mar 30 16:29:36 IST 2024

AMONG THE STELLAR invitees for the recent silver jubilee celebration of Sunil Gavaskar’s CHAMPS Foundation (which supports former sportspersons and their families) were Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar.

The past few months have been frenetic for the head coach and chief selector, given the number of assignments and travel involved, as also emotionally draining, with the roller-coaster ride Indian cricket has been through. A spectacular ODI World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak in the final. The quest to finally win a Test series in South Africa misfired as India lost the first match. Though the team fought back to square the rubber, glory proved elusive. The season was turning out to be a bit of a letdown, but then came the redemption song against England; India clinically dismantled Bazball to hand the visitors a 4-1 drubbing.

Fresh from the win, Dravid and Agarkar said they were looking forward to some rest and recreation this IPL season. Dravid, an inveterate ‘home bird’ as it were, revealed he would be spending time with his family in Bengaluru. Agarkar, a self-confessed golf-junkie, was eager to resume teeing off on the greens of Mumbai.

However, the desire to savour this triumph quietly and not be in the thick of things for the IPL season was wishful thinking. The IPL is always compelling, but this season even more so for those handling portfolios like coaching, selection and captaincy, as it leads directly into the T20 World Cup. Even if away from the action directly, Dravid and Agarkar have to be ‘on the ball’.

Tracking and analysing players from all over the world―who will be part of opposing teams in the World Cup―will be an important part of the agenda for these two, and by extension, captain Rohit Sharma, too.

After disappointing defeats in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals, these three showed―in the England series―seamless understanding in working out selection of players who would deliver on strategies, tactics and roles and other demands made of them.

But that is in the past. The three, quasi-officially for now, are confronted with perhaps the even more challenging task of identifying players for the World Cup to be played in the US and the Caribbean come June. India’s record in T20 World Cups, after winning the inaugural tournament in 2007, has been modest. Some would, in fact, call it poor. After 2007, India have always entered as favourites, only to come a cropper, much to the surprise of experts and the chagrin of fans.

This year, the pressure of expectation will be even greater, which makes the selection process even more daunting―not because the talent pool is limited, as is the case for several countries; rather, because cricket talent in India has exploded to such a degree that there are multiple claimants for virtually every position in the squad, some in fact for multiple positions. Consider this.

TOP ORDER: Apart from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and K.L. Rahul are some others who have opened in the past and have played international cricket. Add to these new names like Naman Dhir, Ramandeep Singh and Sai Sudharsan. All of them can also bat at numbers three or four, too.

MIDDLE ORDER: Injury to Suryakumar Yadav has opened up a slot. Eyeing this is a clutch of players that has been around for a while, like Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Kishan and a newbie like Rinku Singh, who has already made a mark as a sensational finisher.

WICKET-KEEPER BATTERS: Competition for this slot has intensified after Rishabh Pant’s return from injury and a protracted spell in rehab. When he got injured, Pant was front-runner for this place. Now, he has not just Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson to stave off, but also Rahul (who is looking for a way back into the team) and Dhruv Jurel, who made such a huge impact against England, albeit in red-ball cricket. The hard-hitting Jitesh Sharma could also be in contention.

Incidentally, these wicket-keepers can also be considered specialist batters. If they do not make the cut as wicket-keeper, a batting slot will do fine. This increases the jostling for places in the batting from top to lower order.

SPINNERS: Apart from Ravindra Jadeja, there are at least six men vying for a possible three more slots. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi have been in the mix in recent times, and Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar are eyeing a comeback. I would venture even R. Ashwin. Given his form and ambition, a good IPL could put him back in the running.

Jadeja, Axar, Sundar and Ashwin are fine batters, too, which might narrow down options among spinners, but increases it among all-rounders.

PACE BOWLERS: Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant return from injury has been a great boon. Mohammed Shami’s injury, which has kept him out of the IPL, is a setback to preparations for the World Cup, but has opened up opportunities for a plethora of other pacers. As in other departments, there is a surfeit of talent here, too. The pool from which to pick the support cast to Bumrah includes Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and Mohsin Khan.

The key name in this bunch is Hardik Pandya. As a fast-bowling all-rounder, his skill sets are the most coveted in every format, even more so in T20. There are very few of his type in the world, and with Ben Stokes not bowling regularly, Pandya is possibly the best such exponent in the game currently.

Not long back, Pandya was touted as India’s captain for the T20 World Cup. That narrative got disrupted when he got injured in the ODI World Cup, and in the weeks since, it has veered towards his rejoining Mumbai Indians, this time as captain. It is an important assignment for him, but not quite as much as winning a place in the T20 World Cup team. In this, he has no rival but himself. He has to keep himself injury-free and show the match-winning all-round form that made him India’s MVP not too long back.

As I see it, only four players are certainties right now for the World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. This choice will trigger debate, but it is mine, and is based on the calibre of the players, their virtues, technically and for temperament, their rich experience and, not the least, current form. For the remaining slots, Dravid, Agarkar and Sharma have to traverse a maze of small and big battles between similar players, and have to suss out whether they fit into the grand scheme of winning the World Cup.

indian-badminton-player-p-v-sindhu-and-her-mentor-prakash-padukone-interview

Mon Oct 21 16:15:12 IST 2024

Exclusive Interview/ P.V. Sindhu & Prakash Padukone

It was an exhilarating and sapping finals. The ladies on either side of the net refused to give up. Eventually one had to. On August 19, 2016, P.V. Sindhu ended up with the silver medal while friend-cum-foe Carolina Marin became Olympic champion after a three-set duel. Sindhu has been there and seen that. The gold is what she wants, as athletes across the world prepare for the Paris Games. The bitter taste of ending on the losing side has stayed with her all these years, and it has made her hungry for gold.

Sindhu is the most followed Indian badminton star with 3.1 million followers on X, the same number on Facebook and by close to 100 million Indians on television. The ace does not mention anywhere in her bio that she has won two Olympic medals―the silver at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020. Winning even one Olympic medal would make many athletes mention it in ALL CAPS, but not Sindhu. Because her quest for the elusive Olympic gold is still on. As if it is now or never for the 28-year-old, though badminton has had older champions.

Sindhu was 20 when she won her silver in 2016; she has five World Championship medals, including a gold. Yet, the Olympic gold is the biggest miss in her trophy cabinet.

Of course, becoming a champion and staying at the top is not easy. Sindhu suffered a stress fracture on her left ankle which kept her out of the year-ending BWF finals in 2023. She was injured during the Commonwealth Games in August even though she persevered to win the title. “Her doctor advised her to take some more time, so that she recovers completely ahead of the new season,” said her father, P.V. Ramanna.

During the break, she moved base from Hyderabad to Bengaluru to the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, where she had all facilities―from training to exercise and physio―under one roof. The results have not been immediate, but the Sindhu Express is well on its way to Paris.

Prakash Padukone, former badminton world number one who is now her mentor, has definite ideas on coaching. “She is a terrific ward,” he says, in this first joint interaction after taking charge.

“There will be pressure, but I am taking it one day at a time,” said Sindhu. She knows that it is not just her game, but also the mental cobwebs that need clearing up. In this interview, the duo talk about the expectations, the focus over the next month or two, and their common goal now.

Excerpts:

Prakash, how has the experience of coaching an Olympic medallist been so far?

Prakash: Since September, Sindhu has been here. She was playing a few tournaments in between and got injured. Then she had to do her rehab, for which she had to be in Hyderabad. Actually, we got probably a month in Bengaluru 10 days before Asiad. Of course, she will keep going and coming back. She will be here in Bengaluru till the middle of February. It has been very nice working with her―an absolute pleasure. She is a good student, very disciplined and dedicated, willing to listen, despite five world championships and two Olympic medals. She still feels she is a first-timer. She is willing to listen to not just me but anybody. That is a hallmark of champions. She is very open to ideas not just on court, but also in the gym.

Basically, what we are trying to do is put a professional team together. I am mentoring her more in strategy than practice. We have an Indonesian coach Agus Dwi Santoso from January 1. My job is to coordinate.

When you say your job is to strategise, how different is this role from previous ones?

Prakash: Five to 10 years ago, I had to be on court to actually make players [practise]. That, the Indonesian coaches do now.

Sindhu (laughs): No, sir also spends time to see [our progress].

Prakash: My way of teaching is that the player is the ultimate authority; the coach is there to guide the player. The player has to be convinced, have a game plan, analyse, be convinced why we are playing the stroke. These were the things very prominent in the 1980s when we were young. Emphasis was not so much on the physical.

What I am trying to do is combine the advantages of both [the times]. Try to take strengths of that time, and take those of the present generation, and create a style of your own―create something different from what everybody else is doing. Use of deception, wrists, good footwork…. We are good at this as Indians.

Is convincing players easy or difficult?

Prakash: Player intelligence is always there. Otherwise she would not have won so many tournaments.

Sindhu, how desperate are you for a medal at the Olympics?

Sindhu: Of course, I am desperate. I am sure everybody is desperate to get that gold, but I think to get there, we have to do what we have to do. It is important we get everything right. Not just me, the whole team has to be on same page. Even from my side, I need to push myself and implement what they say.

Is the change playing on Sindhu’s mind?

Prakash: No, I think she is coming out of injury. Maybe she rushed herself a little bit; maybe, one or two months earlier, she was not fully fit. We have done some tests, used a lot of science. Maybe that is the difference in what we were doing earlier and now.

Earlier, without doing anything, she was winning titles. The problem started when she was not doing as well as she had been, and did not know where to start.

We started asking: are you doing this or that―using a mental trainer, doing regular video analysis. She was doing it, but not on a regular basis. Now, she has a very structured and strong team which is monitoring her on a daily basis―her weight, diet, sleep, recovery…. We are trying to do our best. My advice to Sindhu would be to not think of gold. It is important, but focus more on the process, do your preparation well and treat it like any other tournament. If you keep thinking ‘I have to win’, that puts you under pressure.

What kind of a ward is she?

Prakash: Very disciplined, and receptive to new ideas. Not often do you get a student like this who has already achieved so much! So when I tell her something, she is able to execute it the next day.

How difficult was it to shift base?

Sindhu: Not difficult, I would say, when it happened. I was worried. Nothing was going right. You are playing, but still nothing right was happening.

Were you prepared for all the difficulties that came your way with the change?

I would not say difficulties, but I thought there would be a change. There should be a change, everything cannot be the same.

Mentally, you are in a good space?

Sindhu: Yes.

Prakash: If you are physically and mentally fit, your game would automatically fall into place. I think earlier she was in a confused state of mind. It was just a question of having clarity of thought.

Slipping from number 2 to number 11―does that bother you?

Sindhu: It does not bother me, because if you do everything right, I am 100 per cent sure that the ranking will improve automatically. You go with a mindset―yes, I am mentally and physically fit―and the ranking will take care of itself.

What do you expect of Sindhu, now that she is under your guidance and tutelage?

Prakash: Her brief is very clear. Any tournament you play, whether in the district level or the Olympics, you have to play to win. If you are not fit enough, don’t play for the sake of participating.

Ranking, according to me, is misguiding. [It is possible to] get into the top 10 without beating any of the top players. More important for me will be to win the important tournaments. The colour of the medal is not important. Any tournament you play, you play to win―that is the brief.

This is an Olympic year.

Prakash: Take a break, and do analyses properly―that is what we did. We think we are on the right track.

Things are very different from the days you played.

Prakash: It is entirely different (laughs). In my days, there was no such big [support] team. It is a big change, but you have to adapt to change. Ten years ago, most players had one coach who doubled as trainer. Nowadays you might be an All England champion or world no 1, but if you say, ‘I alone will help this player’, it would not happen.

It is important to know a lot more things today. The science of sport has come a long way. Sindhu is definitely a contender for an Olympic medal, but you never know. We are trying to make use of the best info and science.

What made you agree to take her on board?

Prakash: She was doing well. My style of coaching is old-fashioned. I thought if I ask her, she would say, ‘What will you teach now?’

Sindhu: No, I think it is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. Who would say no?

Prakash: She was going through a very bad patch…. I read her interviews and thought: this is the time I should at least ask and [offer help]. Otherwise I will regret it for a lifetime. She said, ‘Of course, I would like to.’

I did not even approach her directly. I thought she would feel odd to say yes or no. So I asked Viren [Rasquinha] of OGQ (the non-profit Olympic Gold Quest] to ask and she said yes.

Are you satisfied with the way badminton is going up in the country?

Prakash: Yes, it is going up, but a lot more can be done. There needs to be a little more professional approach from the federation though they are already doing a lot…. PBL (Premier Badminton League) can add to the popularity; more kids will be playing.

Do you go home with a smile on your face?

Prakash: Yes

Sindhu: It is just one day at a time for me. There will be pressure, but I won’t think much about that. If things work out, they work out.

no-one-can-question-novak-djokovic-s-skill-determination-and-triumphs

Sat Dec 23 19:08:03 IST 2023

Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence,” Novak Djokovic, the controversy-prone hero of men’s tennis, wrote on a television camera after his first round victory at Roland-Garros this year. French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said what he did was inappropriate and issued a warning, but Djokovic said he stood by his statement. “I would say it again… Of course I am aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is,” he said.

Serbs have not accepted Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. They comprise a majority in Kosovo’s north, while ethnic Albanians make up more than 90 per cent of the country’s total population. Djokovic was referring to the ethnic clashes that broke out earlier this year in the northern Kosovo town of Zveçan, the place where his father grew up. The clashes occurred after ethnic Albanian mayors took office in Serb-majority areas, following elections that the Serbs had boycotted.

While writing Kosovo on the camera, Djokovic knew that he would invite the wrath of the west, the main benefactor of the tennis universe. But it did not stop him from articulating his beliefs. In that sense, Nole, as he is called affectionately in his native Serbia, has always been an outlier in world tennis. An antithesis of what the mainstream tennis watching crowd expects from their champions. It is hard for them to place him in the pantheon of legends such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe, Björn Borg and Rod Laver, although, statistically, Djokovic is now the best player in the world. Perhaps, even the GOAT―Greatest Of All Times. He has the most Grand Slam titles at 24, two more than Nadal and four more than Federer, and has a winning record against both. He has been ranked number one the most weeks and has won every Grand Slam and ATP Masters 1000 event at least twice. No one else has won all the Masters.

Yet, Djokovic is among the least loved champions in the world. World Sports Network did a survey recently to find out who were the most hated tennis players in the world. Djokovic was found to have received the most negative tweets at 15 per cent and Facebook posts at 11 per cent. There could be many reasons for this. Djokovic plays somewhat boring tennis and doesn’t seem to have any obvious weakness for his opponents to exploit, making his games less exciting. He loves unconventional methods, articulates unscientific theories, holds outdated views of nationalism and is not always politically correct.

Djokovic’s philosophy and outlook―both on and off the field―seem to have been influenced by the savage 78-day bombing campaign unleashed by NATO on Serbia when he was growing up. He was only 11 when NATO forces started attacking Serbia on March 24, 1999 to put an end to president Slobodan Miloševic’s anti-Kosovo regime. As explosions lit up the Belgrade sky, Djokovic ran out of his apartment with his father, Srdjan, mother, Dijana, and younger brothers, Marko and Djordje. He fell face down on the street outside and, a moment later, there was a huge F-117 bomber above him.

“What happened next would never leave me. Even today, loud sounds fill me with fear,” wrote Djokovic in his book Serve to Win. The bomber unleashed two missiles, hitting a hospital a few blocks away. “I remember the sandy, dusty metallic shell and how the whole city seemed to glow like a ripe tangerine.” But the fear of death was not going to stop him from playing tennis.

One of the earliest gifts Djokovic received from his parents was a mini-racket, but his formal introduction to tennis was accidental. His father was an accomplished skier, but the Djokovic family had no tradition of racket sports. The extended family operated several small businesses during vacations in the resort town of Kopaonik, 250km south of Belgrade on the Kosovo border. Perhaps by a quirk of fate, the Serbian government chose Kopaonik to set up a small sports complex, which had three tennis courts. Barely four then, Djokovic loved to watch young players practise there. He was spotted by Jelena Gencic, who was running a summer tennis clinic. She had earlier coached Monica Seles and Goran Ivanisevic, and after spending a few hours with Djokovic she knew that he was a special talent. Djokovic probably knew, too, as he told her that he wanted to be number one in the world. Gencic, whom he called his “tennis mother”, turned out to be a major influence in his life. She introduced him, besides tennis, to Pushkin’s poems, Chekhov’s stories, and western classical music and planted in him a never-say-die attitude.

Back in Belgrade, their partnership flourished. Gencic was every bit as tenacious as the young Djokovic. Although she lost her sister in the NATO bombing, she would accompany Djokovic for practice, picking up sites based on where the bombs had landed the previous night, hoping that the same spot would not be targeted twice in a row. Tennis became literally a matter of life and death. “The war made me a better person because I learned to appreciate things and to take nothing for granted,” said Djokovic. “It also made me a better tennis player because I swore to myself that I would prove to the world that there are good Serbs, too.”

When Djokovic turned 12, Gencic persuaded his family to trust his prodigious talent and send him to Germany to join an academy run by her friend, former Yugoslavian player Nikola Pilic. It was not an easy decision. The family had to pool in its resources. They exhausted their savings, sold whatever jewellery they had and took out loans at exorbitant rates. “For 17 years, we lived in rented accommodations. Sometimes landlords evicted us. I could not sleep at night and I would walk down the street. Sometimes the police would arrest me,” remembers his father.

Djokovic turned professional and began competing on the ATP Tour in 2003. By then, Federer and Nadal had established themselves as players to watch out for. The early days were not easy. There was a time when Djokovic was a frail, unhealthy player who would break down frequently in the middle of matches. Even after winning his first Grand Slam in 2008, he could not make much headway, getting lost in the shadow of the Federal-Nadal duopoly.

Djokovic’s inconsistent health soon became a matter of concern. On January 27, 2010, he was playing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and had a two sets to one lead. But he started losing points steadily from the fourth set onwards, complaining of breathlessness and fatigue. The commentators described it as yet another bout of asthma. But a Serbian doctor, Igor Cetojevic, who was watching him on television, did not agree. Cetojevic, an expert in alternative medicine, felt that Djokovic’s woes were the result of the accumulation of toxins in his large intestine.

Persuaded by his wife Francesca, Cetojevic met Djokovic at a Davis Cup tie later that year in Split, Croatia. He asked Djokovic to stretch out his right hand, while keeping the left hand on his stomach. He then pushed the right hand down, which Djokovic could resist easily. But he could not do so after a slice of bread was held against his stomach. Cetojevic convinced Djokovic that it meant that he was allergic to gluten, a protein present in wheat. Following his encounter with Cetojevic, Djokovic made a drastic change to his diet, giving up not just wheat, but all processed food, dairy and refined sugar. A couple of years later, he made his diet entirely plant-based.

Djokovic these days loves his daily fix of celery juice, green smoothie (made of algae and spinach), greens salad, gluten-free pasta primavera and vegan cheese. In an episode of his Instagram series ‘Conscious Living’, he spoke about how he fasts for 16 hours a day to induce “autophagy,” the body’s cellular recycling system. He said dietary modifications took him from the “brink of failure to be the champion of the world”.

The year after he met Cetojevic turned out to be one of the greatest seasons ever for Djokovic. From a one-slam wonder, he won all the Grand Slams except the French Open, and finished the year as number one. The amazing turnaround perhaps changed Djokovic in more ways than one. He started promoting wellness fads and pseudoscience, like the claim that it is possible to make pure water dirty by directing negative energy towards it and to purify impure water with positive thoughts. In an interview with his wellness guru Chervin Jafarieh he said, “I know some people who, through that energetic transformation, through the power of prayer, through the power of gratitude, managed to turn the most toxic food or maybe the most polluted water into the most healing water, because molecules in the water react to our emotions.”

Djokovic once had a life coach, Pepe Imaz, who apparently taught him telepathy and levitation. During an interview in 2018, Djokovic spoke about his telepathic powers. “I feel like these are gifts from this higher order.” Djokovic has endorsed a product called Taopatch, a nanotechnology device that, according to its promoters, combines light therapy and acupuncture. The Taopatch website claims that it “converts natural body heat into microscopic beams of light to stimulate the nervous system”. Djokovic once said that the product was one of the biggest secrets of his success.

His pilgrimages to the Bosnian town of Visoko are well known. He loves to visit the ‘pyramid of the sun’, a hill that he says has magical properties. “There is a truly miraculous energy here,” he said, much to the amusement of the journalists who followed him there.

Djokovic’s obsession with natural remedies sometimes borders on the extreme, even affecting his health and career. In 2016, he suffered an elbow injury which got worse progressively as he refused surgery. It forced his then coach, Andre Agassi, to part ways with him. Agassi said Djokovic’s unwillingness to have the surgery done was the chief stumbling block in their partnership. “He had the real hope that his elbow could heal naturally. I was not a fan of that choice,” he said. Djokovic finally agreed to the surgery, but was so unhappy about it. “I cried for three days after the surgery. Every time I thought about what I did, I felt like I had failed myself,” he told the Telegraph. His wife, Jelena, said the surgery went against his core values. “It was like he buried one part of him with that decision. He said: ‘I’m done, I’m not playing tennis anymore, I lost this, I’m not having fun anymore, this is it.’”

While most of his unusual food and lifestyle choices were dismissed as an extraordinary champion’s eccentricities, a major setback came during the Covid-19 pandemic, after he voiced his opposition to vaccinations. Djokovic ignored the fact that the Serbian government had administered more than eight million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and even offered cash incentives to get people vaccinated. Although he donated a million euros for buying respirators and other medical equipment, he publicly expressed doubts whether a vaccine could beat a virus that was prone to mutations. Instead, he placed his trust in diet restrictions and behavioural practices. “I am curious about empowering our metabolism to be in the best shape to defend against impostors like Covid-19,” he said. During the early months of the pandemic, Djokovic organised a series of exhibition matches in Serbia and Croatia, without taking any precautions. It resulted in a wave of infections; Djokovic himself was infected and had to cancel the tour midway.

Things took a turn for the worse at the 2022 Australian Open when Djokovic landed in a lock-down weary Melbourne, with a dubious vaccine exemption from the organisers. All hell broke loose after the Sydney Morning Herald broke the news that the exemption was granted on the grounds that he had recently contracted Covid.

Australians reacted to the news with anger and scepticism. Conservative prime minister Scott Morrison, who was already facing devastating poll numbers, seized the opportunity and announced that his government would not grant any exception to anyone. He ordered Djokovic to be held in confinement at the Park Hotel, the infamous detention facility where refugees and asylum seekers are housed. Although a federal court freed Djokovic from custody, it said the final decision was to be made by immigration minister Alex Hawke. He revoked Djokovic’s visa and ordered his deportation.

Later, it became clear that although Djokovic had claimed in his visa application that he had not travelled in the two weeks before heading to Australia―a mandatory requirement―he had, in fact, visited Spain during that time. He later clarified that furnishing false information was a “human error”. He also admitted that he had attended an interview and a photo shoot with the French daily L’Equipe even after knowing that he was infected with Covid. There were photos of him the day after he allegedly tested positive, posing for photos with small children, everyone without masks, at a charity event. After reaching Belgrade, Djokovic blamed the media. “They have picked on me big time and not in a positive note, which has created a lot of disturbance to my brand and to me personally and people around me.”

A year later, Djokovic, still unvaccinated, returned to Melbourne, won his record extending tenth Australian Open title and tying Nadal for most Grand Slam titles. He dropped just a set and won the final in straight sets. There was barely a player in the men’s draw who could mount a challenge against Djokovic’s complete dominance. An aspect of Djokovic’s style of play, which makes it boring to watch at least for some spectators, is his machine-like precision."For a player who is supposed to be a human being just like you and I, it is hard not to watch one of Djokovic's matches and wonder if he is some type of robotic automaton," writes New York-based tennis expert Nick Nemeroff for the Tennis Island. “Federer’s effortless technical precision, grace under pressure and uncanny ability to come up with unprecedented shots allowed him to assert control over matches that the sport had simply not seen before. Nadal came along and changed the way we think about topspin forever. Djokovic’s defensive prowess is the ‘shot’ in his arsenal that is not only controlling the game, but simultaneously changing the way it can be played.” Translated charitably, Djokovic’s games can be quite boring to watch.

"He is fundamentally a conservative, defensive player," writes Park MacDougald of Washington Examiner. “His game is built around consistency, a phenomenal return of serve, and an equally remarkable ability to chase down balls that he has absolutely no business getting back in play, forever forcing his opponents to hit one more shot when they think they have already got the point.” Equally remarkable is his accuracy and the ability to find angles thus far uncovered on a tennis court, making his opponents feel like lesser mortals. “You can’t imagine how frustrating it is to hit what you think is a winner or an ace, only to have Novak send it right back,” said Andy Roddick while commentating during this year’s US Open. Djokovic also takes away the human angle from the game with his phenomenal mental fortitude. He never gives up until the last point is played.

The amount of preparation that goes into Djokovic’s game is exceptional. For instance, when he plays the US Open, he stays at the $40 million New Jersey estate owned by his longtime friend and hitting partner Gordon A. Uehling III. The hillside facility, spread on 40 acres, has courts that simulate Wimbledon’s Centre Court, Court Philippe-Chatrier at the French Open and Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, down to the exact same surface specifications. The estate also has a hard court with a camera-and-software system developed by PlaySight, a company that makes advanced flight-simulation systems for the Israeli air force. It records every stroke and every move by a player, including the speed, spin and trajectory of the balls and point patterns, the distance covered, and the calories burned. It gives the player and his coach real time information about everything they need. It also provides charts and tables recording the evolution of a player. Every year, Djokovic travels to Flushing Meadows armed with all these details. For added measure, the estate also has a hyperbaric chamber, where you can relax while “simulated altitude pressure and a cyclical programme of muscle compression work together to enhance the body’s ability to absorb oxygen”.

Despite his meticulous preparation and ice cool temperament, there have been multiple instances of him arguing with umpires and breaking rackets. Some critics say it is all part of his strategy to upset the rhythm of his opponents. Yet, he was kicked out of the US Open in 2020 after hitting a ball in frustration during his fourth round match against Pablo Carreño Busta that struck a line judge in the throat. He immediately left the court and the stadium. Former British player Tim Henman, who was disqualified for a similar incident at Wimbledon in 1995, said Djokovic should have faced up to his mistake and apologised. “You have to be responsible for your actions on the court.” He also drew a lot of flak for launching a racket into the empty stands at the Tokyo Olympics.

Djokovic’s strategic bathroom breaks are known to throw his opponents off balance. If he feels that the momentum is against him, he often takes a bathroom break. “You mainly use this moment to reset yourself mentally, changing your environment,” said Djokovic. “Even if it’s a short break, you can have a few deep breaths and come back as a new player.”

Even more damaging for Djokovic’s image have been his views on certain subjects like gender equality. Four years ago, he launched a parallel players’ group called the Professional Tennis Players Association to ensure a more equitable distribution of prize money, but he was criticised for keeping women out of it initially. (The group now has both men and women players.) His views on gender parity in tennis have been problematic, too. When asked about equal pay for women, he once said that he would support the idea if women could bring in more fans and more money. And then he spoke about women’s bodies and their hormones, and their “fight against unspeakable biological challenges”, drawing even more criticism.

On Halloween of 2018, former American player and commentator Justin Gimelstob, who was also a member of the ATP Players Council, attacked a friend called Randall Kaplan, while he was with his pregnant wife and their two-year-old daughter. Gimelstob pushed Kaplan to the ground and punched him repeatedly in the head. Kaplan was hospitalised and his wife miscarried. Gimelstob was convicted of battery with serious bodily injury to the victim. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to three years probation. While most players asked the ATP to drop Gimelstob, Djokovic hesitated to do so. He told a news conference that he would not support Gimelstob, if proven guilty. When a journalist pointed out that Gimelstob had already admitted his guilt in court, he said he would have to go through the court documents. After reading the documents, Djokovic said Gimelstob had taken responsibility for his actions, still refusing to condemn his behaviour.

The biggest misfortune for Djokovic as far as his popularity is concerned is probably the fact that he shared an era with two of the most-loved players ever―Federer and Nadal. When Djokovic first burst on the scene, the Fedal duopoly was at its peak and most tennis fans had already picked their sides, leaving no room for a third option. In the beginning, the young imposter was treated as a welcome distraction, someone to motivate the top duo to do even better. Djokovic’s impersonation of fellow players (he loved mimicking the mannerisms of other players on court), his fragile health and the occasional good fight found some love from the spectators. Things started changing once he started winning Grand Slams regularly, turning into a serious threat to Federer and Nadal. “The fact is that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were at the top before Djokovic appeared, and then suddenly a guy from Serbia came and won all the tournaments. That did not please the fans,” said retired Serbian player Viktor Troicki.

The media and the advertisement machinery also played a role, perhaps unwittingly. The Fedal duopoly was an advertisers’ dream. Here you had two supremely gifted, politically correct and well-behaved gentlemen from west Europe. While the Swiss was polished, articulate and charming, the Spaniard was raw, rugged and adorable. And then came the Serb, upending their best laid plans.

Edoardo Artaldi, Djokovic’s long-time agent and manager (they parted ways recently), told Sport360 that it was difficult for Djokovic to find good sponsors and endorsements because of his nationality. Apart from the political reasons, Serbia not being an economic, political or demographic powerhouse also hurts. “Djokovic comes from a poor country. Obviously, he will find it hard to get support from a company from his country,” he said, contrasting his situation with that of his competitors. “Roger, he is the greatest player ever, but, if you see, he has Credit Suisse, Lindt, Jura… all Swiss companies. Rafa is connected with many Spanish companies.” Until 2012, Djokovic’s main sponsor was little known Italian sportswear brand Sergio Tacchini. As the company was unable to meet its commitments, Djokovic dropped it. His first major deal came after that, with Japanese brand Uniqlo. And that came largely because of non-tennis reasons. After the Fukushima earthquake of 2011, Djokovic had played a tournament with a knee brace saying “Support Japan”. Tadashi Yanai, founder and president of Fast Retailing, Uniqlo’s parent company, was moved by the gesture and approached Djokovic for an endorsement deal. “I think he has to show 10 times more than others how good he is not just on court but outside the court to have a company interested in him,” said Artaldi.

There is also a hint of racism, which some critics call the “hierarchy of whiteness” in tennis. Despite the perceived democratisation of the game, tennis continues to be white, western and upper middle class. That is probably one of the reasons why most popular champions of the game all belonged to this cohort. Ivan Lendl could never match the popularity of John McEnroe, notwithstanding his superior record. Lendl had a superior head-to-head record against Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander and Boris Becker, too, but he never got the respect he deserved. In September 1986, when Lendl was at the peak of his powers, Sports Illustrated ran a cover on him with the title, “The Champion That Nobody Cares About”. Martina Navratilova, similarly, had to play second fiddle to Chris Evert in the popularity stakes. Similar fate awaited other great champions like Monica Seles and Martina Hingis. Incidentally, all of them were Slavs, just like Djokovic. (Lendl, Navratilova and Hingis were born in Czechoslovakia, and Seles in present-day Serbia.)

While Lendl, Navratilova and Seles are now US citizens and Hingis has Swiss citizenship, Djokovic considers himself a proud Serbian, although he lives in Monaco to save tax. Djokovic has been quite categorical in asserting the importance of his Serbian nationality and his loyalty to the Serbian Orthodox Church. As the west has had a turbulent relationship with Serbia over the years, the Serbs have been quite close to their Russian brethren. It was a Serbian student, Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, which turned out to be the immediate trigger for World War I. As the Austro-Hungarian empire declared war on Serbia, Russia came to its aid, formally joining the war. The friendship seems to have endured over the years and got cemented further when Russia remained the only major power to oppose the NATO bombing of 1999. When the UN Security Council took up a British-sponsored resolution in 2015, accusing Serbia of genocide, Russia vetoed it. So when hostilities between Russia and Ukraine broke out in February 2022, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Belgrade to support Russia. Serbia’s close association with Russia could be another reason why Djokovic is not much liked in the west.

Earlier this year during the Australian Open, a video of Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, pictured at a demonstration with fans outside Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena holding Russian flags, voicing his support for Russia, became viral. After a severe backlash, Djokoic had to clarify that his father had “no intention” of supporting the war in Ukraine. But, by then, the damage had been already done. Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic, too, hinted that racism may be a factor in the hatred directed towards Djokovic. “Why is he being treated that way? Probably because of his background, people from the Balkans are always looked at differently,” said Ivanisevic.

Djokovic’s support for far right Serbian nationalism is something the west is wary about. Apart from the Kosovo incident during the French Open, there was another controversy in 2021 when photographs of his visit to Bosnia became public, showing him meeting a commander of the ‘Drina Volves’, a unit that took part in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in which around 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by the Bosnian Serb army. Bosnian-American scholar Aleksandar Hemon told Euronews that Djokovic promoted common tropes found among supporters of Serbian nationalism possibly because he grew up at a time when Yugoslavia was unravelling. “Djokovic is not quite capable of imagining himself outside this nationalist identity. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he is an aggressive propagandist, but he certainly complies and has met such propagandists,” Hemon said.

Djokovic, meanwhile, marches ahead steadily, completing yet another super successful season. When asked about the World Sports Network Survey which found that he was the most unpopular tennis player in the world, Djokovic quoted American basketball icon Kobe Bryant, saying he was not surprised. “Personally, I’d be surprised if it were any different. As Kobe used to say, ‘Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones,’” he said. “I wouldn’t change anything in my life because I’ve done everything to the best of my knowledge and abilities in a particular moment. Yes, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but at least I was authentic, I was being myself. I’d choose that every time compared with saying whatever pleases those that abide by the standards of the establishment.””

future-generations-are-likely-to-remember-2023-as-a-turning-point-for-women-s-football

Sat Dec 23 17:30:11 IST 2023

Welcome to the jungle, Lionesses... The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) wrote this August, leaking photos of the England women’s football team training. The Lionesses were preparing to take on the Australian Matildas in the semifinals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The newspaper had used a helicopter to shoot the photos, considering the interest at home around the match, and perhaps hoping that filming the tactical setup could give the beloved Matildas some advantage.

It did not. Australia, ranked tenth, lost 3-1 to European champions England (ranked fourth), and finished fourth in the World Cup after losing to third-ranked Sweden in the third-place match. It was the best ever showing by an Australian soccer team at senior level and it prompted the government to pledge A$200 million (around Rs1,100 crore) to improve women’s sporting facilities. More significantly, the women’s team was the most in-demand sporting entity in the sports-obsessed nation in the buildup to the semifinal match.

Their matches broke viewership records and the semifinal turned out to be the most watched TV programme in the country. The research firm OzTAM said it had a peak viewership of 11.15 million. The Seven Network delayed its main news bulletin to show the match, and the men’s Australian rules football league screened it at the stadium before a derby match. In the days before the match, women’s jerseys outsold the men’s kits two to one.

Things, however, were different a while ago.

There was a time when the women players had to create and hand out flyers to attract spectators. They even had to beg TV stations to telecast their matches.

The change was ignited by a determined campaign in the 2007 World Cup in China. Then ranked 15th, the Matildas thrashed Ghana and drew with Norway (ranked 4) and with Canada (ranked 9) to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time. In the quarterfinals, they lost a hard-fought match (3-2) to eventual runners-up Brazil.

The performance inspired the establishment of a women’s league in Australia and that, in turn, has created a pathway for the emergence of current stars, like captain Sam Kerr―widely regarded as the best striker in the world today. The Matildas now sell out stadiums and have achieved pay parity. They exemplify the sea change the women’s game has undergone in recent years.

This change is reflected even in the generally toxic football ecosystem of England―there is greater acceptance of, and far more media coverage for, the women’s team. The investment in women’s football in recent years has been rewarded rather fast. When the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022, it was the first senior football title won by England since the men won the World Cup in 1966. Their run to the final of the 2023 World Cup, despite losing key players to injuries, was mighty impressive in more ways than one. Perhaps, the resilience the team showed was not surprising. After all, the women’s game in the country has dealt with setbacks for over a century.

The first recorded women’s football game was played on May 7, 1881, between teams representing Scotland and England (the nationalities of players have been contested). Women’s football refused to die down despite palpable contempt from the press and the public thanks largely to the efforts of a few. It also helped to attract attention to women’s rights movements, such as the campaign for suffrage. Years later, during World War I, with men sent to the front, women flooded into the factories and the women’s game grew leaps and bounds as factories started more women’s teams. By 1921, there were about 150 women’s clubs. Matches were gaining in popularity, with more than 50,000 fans watching a game at Goodison Park, home of Everton Football Club in Liverpool.

But, success would be the downfall of women’s football. “The Football Association and the political establishment were not blind to the growing popularity and success of women’s football,” writes Suzanne Wrack in A Woman’s Game: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Women’s Football. “The huge sums of money being raised were outside their jurisdiction. Worse still, that money was no longer being raised to support the war wounded but was being channelled into political and working-class causes―antithetical to the establishment.” So, the FA banned women’s matches from affiliated grounds. The ban would stand for 50 years. And, despite the determination of women to keep playing―they played in public parks, rugby grounds and smaller venues―without the capacities and facilities of affiliated grounds, the women’s game was sidelined and eventually overshadowed by the men’s game. It took the FA 87 years to apologise for setting back the women’s game.

In 2018, ten years after the FA apologised, FIFA, which had organised the Women’s World Cup since 1991, launched its women’s football strategy. It has been, on most counts, a resounding success. For example, in 2020, FIFA announced that member associations could apply for its support across eight key areas of women’s football development. In addition to financial assistance to cover costs of select programmes, FIFA would provide access to experts and equipment and technical support. The initiative has led to more than 900 projects being delivered in 137 associations. A key objective of FIFA’s strategy was to increase the appeal of the women’s game to players, fans and sponsors. Going by recent numbers, this is being achieved, too.

In 2019, record attendances for women’s club matches were set in England, Spain, Italy and Mexico. In 2022, Barcelona Femení broke the world record for attendance at a women’s football match twice within a month, with crowds of 91,000-plus. At the 2023 World Cup, about two million fans attended the matches and FIFA’s social and digital platforms got more than three billion views. TV viewership is estimated to have hit 2 billion, up from 1.12 billion in 2019.

The viewership records set during the Women’s World Cup was a sort of culmination of gradual trends observed in the past few years. For example, viewership in the UK rose from 11.7 million in 2017 to 68.6 million in 2019, as per Nielsen. In 2022, some 57.9 million people watched the Euros. Nielsen’s assessment of 2023 is that fans, especially younger ones, want to follow women’s sports and are ready to reward brands, sponsors and broadcasters who invest in women’s sports. This intent to spend is already visible in the finances of women’s clubs. As per the FIFA Women’s Benchmarking Report 2023, the average operating revenue of women’s clubs grew by 133 per cent to $785,000 (around Rs6.5 crore) in 2021-22 compared with 2020-21.

The growth of women’s football globally is also marked by the increased activity of women’s national teams. The number of officially ranked teams increased from 155 in 2019 to 188 in 2023. So did the number of teams participating in World Cup qualifiers―from 140 for the 2019 edition to 168 ahead of 2023. Moreover, the appeal of the women’s game to commercial partners became evident when all the partnership packages for the World Cup were sold out on the day they were made available. The number of partners increased to 30, from 12 in 2019.

Most importantly, the number of women and girls playing organised football grew by nearly a quarter compared with 2019 (up to 16.6 million). As many as 88 per cent of national associations surveyed by FIFA now report having a women’s football strategy.

“This year, we have felt a seismic shift in the way that people see the women’s game,” said Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer in August. “2023 is about showing the world what it means to take the game beyond greatness. To put players on the pedestal [where] they belong, to fill the stadiums, smash records... break down barriers and show every young girl and boy, from every corner of the world that they can dream to make a living from football.”

Clearly, FIFA has come a long way from the days of its infamous former president Sepp Blatter saying that women needed to play in tighter attire to attract audiences. But, there is still a lot to be done.

For instance, one in five players at the 2023 World Cup received discriminatory, abusive or threatening messaging on social media. Almost 50 per cent of the abusive messages was homophobic, sexual and sexist abuse. Most tellingly, as per FIFA, the women were 29 per cent more likely to be targeted with online abuse compared with players at the 2022 Men’s World Cup.

The US women’s national team―currently ranked third, but the most successful team in international women’s football―had to sue for equal pay, despite bringing in more revenue than the men’s team. The case ended with a $24 million settlement in 2022.

Another notable case is that of England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was voted the best goalkeeper in the world in 2022 and won the golden glove at the 2023 World Cup. Replicas of her England goalkeeper shirt were not available to fans ahead of the World Cup, because “producing women’s goalkeeper kits for the public” was not a part of Nike’s business strategy. This despite the fact that her club kits had sold out the previous season. Earps admitted that she was hurt. And a public outcry followed. Soon 1.7 lakh people signed a petition calling for Nike to change its mind. The brand had no option but oblige.

The 2023 World Cup also saw then Spanish football federation president, Luis Rubiales, kissing Spain’s all-time top goalscorer Jenni Hermoso on her lips without her consent during the presentation ceremony after the team’s triumph. English football administrator Debbie Hewitt also accused Rubiales of forcefully kissing an English player and cupping and stroking the face of another during the same ceremony. The Spanish players have had other fights against the federation in recent years, but the men in power had always managed to survive the fallout. This time would be different. Rubiales’s actions led to the #SeAcabó (it’s over) movement. It became a platform for women in the country to speak about sexual harassment and everyday sexism, and focused on preventing sexual violence by “powerful men and abusive bosses”. And, eventually, after feeble and disturbing attempts to defend himself, Rubiales was forced to resign. FIFA banned him from football for three years.

Though the problems in these three cases were different―ranging from neglect to indifference to assault―one thing was common. The women who raised their voices were heard and they found support, mostly from the younger generation, forcing the powers that be to act. It was no longer feasible to ignore them.

This year saw the momentum that had been slowly building over the past few years converting into a surge forward. And, for this reason, 2023 is likely to be remembered by future generations as a turning point for women’s football. Already, many nations around the world have got dividends for investments in women’s football.

Morocco is arguably the best example. The team was ranked 72nd before the 2023 World Cup, but it managed to progress to the round of 16.

India, too, is keen to ride this wave and give the Blue Tigresses a fighting chance as they compete in the international arena. Satyanarayan M., acting secretary general of the All India Football Federation, told THE WEEK that the focus was on developing the entire women’s football ecosystem in the country. “One of the first things that we have done, and something that will be there for all to see this season, is that we have expanded the Indian Women’s League,” he said. “At the grassroots level, there is The Blue Cubs project to identify elite talent between the ages of 8 and 12 and bring them into the system of the junior leagues and national football championships.”

Encouragingly, in recent years, Indian players have been getting more opportunities to play overseas. Goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan from Delhi was with Premier League club West Ham United’s ladies team. In 2020, Manipur’s Bala Devi, India’s leading goalscorer, became the first Indian woman to score in a European league by netting for Glasgow Rangers Women. In 2022, Manipur attacker Dangmei Grace joined Uzbek club PFC Sevinch Karshi and won both the league and cup. Forward Manisha Kalyan, from Haryana, did the same with Cypriot club Apollon Ladies this year. Manisha, the reigning AIFF Women’s Player of the Year, also became the first Indian to play in Europe’s premier club competition for women’s teams―the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

But, even amid such massive strides, there are big setbacks, too. For example, India’s best supported football club, the Kerala Blasters, “temporarily halted” their women’s team this year to cope with a fine that the men’s team got. They were widely criticised and even their ever-loyal fans expressed disappointment, with fan group Manjapadda terming it a “pathetic decision from the management”. The choice made by the team begs the question whether the AIFF should get involved to avoid such occurrences in the future. One option is to make it mandatory for all the clubs competing in the first division to have a women’s team and youth teams.

However, Satyanarayan said that was not the solution. “Having a women’s team just for the sake of it will not improve anything in the long run,” he said. “There has to be intent and effort put into running a football team. That is why we believe mandating clubs to have a women’s team would be rather counterproductive to our efforts.” He said that the AIFF’s approach was to bring about a scenario where the clubs see the benefits of having a women’s team, winning the Indian Women’s League and playing international competitions. “Gokulam Kerala FC have played a couple of times in the AFC (Asian) Women’s Club Championship and they have represented India proudly,” he said. “It is our hope that other clubs see the merit of this and take up the cause of women’s football in their catchment areas.”

bcci-secretary-jay-shah-interview

Sun Dec 03 19:38:30 IST 2023

Unlike former secretaries of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Jay Shah is a man of few words―he does speak his mind in board meetings, but tries to keep a low profile outside.

The 35-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Jay bhai’ in the cricket fraternity, has ushered in a transformation since assuming office in 2019. Under his leadership cricket has seen the implementation of ground-breaking measures such as pay parity and inception of the Women’s Premier League among other such initiatives. Indian cricket has experienced a comprehensive uplift, marked by significant advancements in infrastructure and a fortified grassroots structure at every level.

In an exclusive conversation with THE WEEK, Jay Shah shares insights on the future of cricket globally, with a special focus on ODIs. This charismatic cricket administrator’s commitment extends to the well-being and equitable benefits for both male and female cricketers, rallying every stakeholder to ensure India’s continued dominance in the global cricket arena.

Q/ There is concern that ODIs, sandwiched between Tests and T20s, will eventually wither away. India is already playing fewer ODIs now.

A/Expressing concern about the relevance of ODI cricket seems particularly stringent to me, especially in the aftermath of the most successful ODI event in history. The format not only maintains its enduring popularity but also, if anything, has experienced a surge in traction over time. There is no need to rely solely on my perspective; the numbers provide a compelling narrative.

The World Cup, hosted by India, saw a record-breaking attendance of 1.25 million (12.5 lakh) spectators. What is noteworthy is that the one million milestone was reached with six games remaining. Viewership records were not just broken, they were shattered. [On digital, there were] 5.9 crore [concurrent viewers] during the final.

This extraordinary turnout, which surpassed the numbers of both the 2015 and the 2019 World Cups, serves as an unequivocal testament to the enduring popularity and widespread appeal of ODIs.

Q/ But other formats have grown in popularity.

A/Certainly, the landscape of cricket has undergone a significant transformation. While purists continue to cherish Test cricket for its strategic depth and endurance, T20 has carved a niche for itself as a powerhouse of entertainment and action. Rather than diminishing the appeal of ODIs, the coexistence of these diverse formats has remarkably broadened cricket's overall appeal.

Q/ Are ODIs adding to crickets’s overall appeal? What makes you believe so? Most find the opposite to be true.

A/Contrary to concerns that alternative formats might overshadow ODIs, the reality is that cricket enthusiasts today benefit from an unprecedented array of choices. This diversity, marked by the distinctive charms of Tests, ODIs and T20s, caters to varying tastes within the cricketing community.

Moreover, the impending inclusion of T20 cricket at the [2028] Los Angeles Olympics is poised to be a game changer. This move not only validates cricket on a global stage, but also opens up avenues to tap into fan bases worldwide. It promises to introduce the sport to a broader audience, fostering a new wave of cricket enthusiasts. In essence, the coevolution of Test, ODI and T20 formats is not a competition, but a collective boon for the sport.

Q/ So, you feel cricket is flourishing globally?

A/Cricket, in all its facets, is flourishing, and the ultimate beneficiaries are the passionate fans of the game. The proliferation of formats and the global expansion of cricket, coupled with the Olympic inclusion, reaffirm that cricket is on a trajectory of unparalleled growth and inclusivity.

indian-cricket-hitman-rohit-sharma-fearless-batting-and-skillful-captaincy-in-world-cup

Sat Nov 25 14:58:22 IST 2023

Rohit Sharma scored five centuries in the 2019 World Cup in England. If he wanted, he could arguably have scored as many this time, too.

But this was a different Rohit Sharma; this time, he was captain, and he had assigned himself a role. He would take down the bowlers in the opening passage of play, throwing them off the line and length, and set the stage for Virat Kohli to be the fulcrum of the innings with others playing around him.

In the first powerplay, he scored 401 runs in 297 balls, hitting 46 fours and 24 sixes at a strike rate of 135.01. The next best strike rate came from Australia’s Travis Head, who made 128 in the first powerplay at 121.90.

It was a fearless approach that took the pitch out of the equation and drove oppositions on to the back foot. It was like Sharma had moulded the team in his own image, a process that he and head coach Rahul Dravid had been working on for some time now, especially with fans and experts calling out India’s timidness with the bat on big occasions. Even in the final against Australia, Sharma made 47 off 31, striking at 151.61. It was almost as if India were starting with a cheat code every game.

“The way Rahul bhai played his cricket and how I am playing these days, it’s quite a contrast,” Sharma said in the news conference before the final, a slight smile on his face. “For him to agree and give me that freedom to let us play the way we want to play says a lot about him.”

But it was not all ‘see ball, hit ball’. In a low-scoring match against England, where India made 229, Sharma adapted to the situation and scored a 101-ball 87. He is used to this adaptability, having been India’s best Test batter in the past three years.

While Kohli won player of the tournament for his 765 runs―the most in any World Cup―Sharma had as much an impact on the team’s success, if not more. With Kohli, the story seemed to be that of a national hero who had slain past demons and had emerged refreshed and hungry to reclaim his throne as his generation’s best in the format. He was a figure to be celebrated, to be taken in as one would Sachin Tendulkar during his later days at the crease.

Not that Kohli was not putting team over self, but his legend had grown to such a degree that he was seen as competing with his idol, whose record of 49 ODI centuries he did break.

With Sharma, though, it was about doing whatever he could, as batter, as captain, to place India on top and finally, after a decade, lift a trophy to end India’s drought at ICC events. The last time India won an ODI World Cup, in 2011, Sharma was not in the squad. It was a tough time for him personally, and winning this time would have been a personal as much as a professional goal.

“I want to highlight three things about his captaincy,” Mumbai Ranji legend Amol Muzumdar said in a Star Sports show. “The first one is, Rohit Sharma gives a lot of weightage and importance to data and statistics. This includes one of the most important parts of his planning; he believes that it is very important to know each and every minute detail and statistic of all the opposition players. The second, he keeps things very simple and tries to make his team members think simple. He keeps everyone in the team in a very cool and calm atmosphere.”

Clarity of thought and role is a cornerstone of Sharma’s leadership. It was a hallmark of former captain M.S. Dhoni, too. While the Chennai Super Kings skipper made champions out of unheralded players, Sharma, as Mumbai Indians captain, nurtured youngsters like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah into becoming national mainstays. No wonder they are the two most successful IPL captains. “[Sharma’s] style of captaincy is a bit different from others; he talks very politely and in a very lovable way with his players, thus keeping things easy and simple,” said Muzumdar. “And, third, which is the most important point, is that he has that magical touch in him.”

Sharma is particularly popular with the younger lot, going out for dinner with them and dancing with them on Reels. “On the field, he is instinctive and always open to ideas; off the field, it’s great to have him around―his sense of humour and one-liners are amazing,” Suryakumar Yadav, who has played under Sharma at Mumbai Indians for several years, said in a recent interview. Yadav’s own role in the team was to finish off the game like he is used to doing in T20s. Mohammed Siraj would attack with the new ball, Ravindra Jadeja would tighten the screws in the middle overs and so on with each player.

One of the more obvious interventions of the captain during play is when he decides whether to take a review or not. With this process, Sharma chose to rely on the pragmatic K.L. Rahul behind the stumps than his, at times, overenthusiastic bowlers.

He might have missed a trick in the final by not giving the new ball to Siraj, but he had been good with his bowler rotations throughout the tournament.

Talking about Sharma’s captaincy in the match against England, former English pacer Steve Harmison said, “Once they made the initial breakthrough, you could have got the spinners in early. He has only got five bowlers to go with. So, he is not thinking 40 to 50 overs. Rohit Sharma was thinking of bowling England out in 35 to 40 overs. So, he didn't go to his spin bowlers and went back to his seam bowlers.”

To be fair, though, Sharma had a lineup of bowlers in red-hot form who could be called upon whenever needed and would, on most days, deliver.

But what was perhaps one of the most impressive parts of his leadership was how the team kept its record clean even in the absence of Pandya. The all-rounder was in the side to provide flexibility with bat and ball, but an injury forced him out. The side’s balance was thrown off, and India had to reshuffle its plans.

The final against Australia, perhaps, was the one time the lack of Pandya was felt, but the former five-time champions played such a perfect match that maybe even Pandya or Ashwin would not have helped.

India’s journey to become champions continues, each heartbreak a building block. Perhaps Sharma would not be part of the 2027 edition, but he should hold his head high, for he will be remembered for captaining India’s best ODI team to never lift the trophy. A team he led from ball one.