Poet and Nobel Laureate (this species has been hogging our media space these past few weeks hasn’t it?) Harold Pinter had famously said that cricket was better than sex. If anything, the first sniff of winter in Mumbai and a match being played at the Cricket Club of India makes this seduction irresistible.
In its 79-year History, India’s premier domestic tournament has thrown up interesting numbers.
A commercial venture by an international cricketer is no longer a rarity. Quite a few, including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan, have tried their hands, though with varying degree of success.
In a country where top cricketers are worshipped, it is unfortunate that those who were equally good but could not make it to international cricket are not given their due.
Exactly a year ago, a billion Indians held their breath as Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara ran in to bowl the second ball of the 49th over. The ball was bowled, skipper MS Dhoni's bat swung and the ball soared over long on and into the MCA Pavilion of the Wankhede Stadium. Sandip Sikdar & Firoz Mirza report.
It is exactly one year since every Indian cricket fan danced and sang with glee on the streets after their heroes ended an interminable wait for the nation to toast a second one-day World Cup win.
Sharad Deep reports.
Will season 5 of the IPL be as popular as the previous ones despite India’s recent defeats? Does the obsession with T20 play a role in India’s recent 0-8 humiliation in Tests abroad?
It’s been exactly a year since India won that unforgettable World Cup. The proceedings since then have been completely forgettable. Rahul Fernandes writes.
For those who prefer to see India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with long hair, here's good news. After keeping his hair short for a year, Dhoni is planning to grow them again.
Sachin Tendulkar has created history on Friday by completing his hundredth ton in international cricket during the Asia Cup match at Mirpur, Bangladesh. Read about life and career of the Master Blaster...
That day is finally here. I have truly dreaded it and wished it would never come. But it has. And what other choice do I have but to face it.
Nilesh Pinto writes.
From an orphanage in Pune to becoming a top player of the Australian women's cricket team, Lisa Sthalekar has been a true destiny's child.
World Cup-winning captain
Kapil Dev tells us why MS Dhoni's captaincy isn't cool anymore and why Sachin should quit.
What the selectors need to do
Sports fans will always be volatile but the Indian cricket fan’s wild oscillation between violent anger and adoration for the men in blue defies logic — really, what is it that makes us so boorish?
N Ananthanarayanan writes.
Until last year, Jai Bahadur had played his entire cricket with locally-made hand-sewn balls. He couldn't have afforded to make the trip to Dharamsala but for a generous local school principal sponsoring it.