Dhiman Sarkar
Dhiman Sarkar is based in Kolkata with over two decades as a sports journalist. He writes mainly on football.
Articles by Dhiman Sarkar
Sergio Ramos can score more than me: Fernando Hierro
By Dhiman Sarkar, Kolkata
UPDATED ON JAN 14, 2021 01:23 PM IST
- Like Ramos, Hierro has been a Real Madrid and Spain captain; it fit that Hierro would say that “without a doubt” he “really wants” Ramos to stay at Real and help the La Liga champions rebuild.
India vs Australia: Tests and the thrills of a stalemate
UPDATED ON JAN 12, 2021 07:10 PM IST
- A brief look at some fascinating draws from Test history when players defied pain and teams came within one wicket or one shot of winning.
Eden Gardens' journey from quarantine centre to cricket
UPDATED ON JAN 10, 2021 06:23 AM IST
It was at Eden in 1945 that Syed Mushtaq Ali was inducted in the India team on popular demand. “No Mushtaq, no Test” banners came up at Eden forcing the selectors, Duleepsinhji among them, to bring Ali back for the unofficial Test against Australian Services.
In the I-League, Sudeva FC gives Delhi football a reason to cheer
By Dhiman Sarkar and Bhargab Sarmah | KOLKATA/GUWAHATI
UPDATED ON JAN 05, 2021 11:42 PM IST
The Indians-only squad, clarified club co-founder Anuj Gupta, is not a fixed idea. “That will depend on whether I want to win the league or stay in the league.
In memoriam: Remembering sports persons who passed away in 2020
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 01, 2021 06:17 PM IST
As we bid goodbye to 2020, we remember the passing of several sportspersons, national and international, whose legacies will live on long past a most tragic year.
Where are Comaneci’s young gymnasts now?
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata
UPDATED ON DEC 17, 2020 01:37 PM IST
“This is awesome,” tweeted Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 in the Olympics, and the video aquired a life of it’s own, and one its effects was that Khan and Azajuddin were inducted into the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Kolkata on the recommendation of Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju.
Was a street footballer, Bhaichung’s inputs helped: Jhingan
By Bhargab Sarmah & Dhiman Sarkar | Guwahati/Kolkata
UPDATED ON DEC 16, 2020 08:04 AM IST
Ahead of Wednesday’s game against FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL), the 27-year-old India central defender also spoke of his relationship with coach Antonio Lopez Habas and his career among other things.
How ISL orchestrated the passage to India for squads
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata
UPDATED ON DEC 10, 2020 09:36 AM IST
Stephen Eze had no idea then how difficult getting to India could be. Eze reached Goa for ISL7 on November 4 nearly three weeks after JFC began the process of getting him to fly from Abuja, Nigeria. It started with getting the visa. “I couldn’t get it on the appointed day,” he said. Or for the next 10 days.
Will Jose Mourinho’s Son-Kane end Tottenham Hotspurs’ long wait?
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata
UPDATED ON DEC 09, 2020 09:48 AM IST
Son and Kane have combined for 31 Premier League goals - the second most of any pair after Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (36).
ISL: My players haven’t been coached this way before, says Robbie Fowler
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, Kolkata
UPDATED ON DEC 04, 2020 10:02 PM IST
Not here to disrespect anyone, says SC East Bengal coach qualifying comment on Indian players’ lack of training
Berlin derby is something we can grab, says Hertha skipper Boyata
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata, Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 04, 2020 07:52 PM IST
As far as city footballing rivalries go, Hertha and Union are just warming up but the Bundesliga clash won’t be short of intensity
Former East Bengal stars criticise Fowler’s comment
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata, Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON DEC 02, 2020 10:03 PM IST
Following SC East Bengal’s 0-3 loss to Mumbai City FC in ISL7 on Tuesday, coach Fowler said in a television interview, “in all honesty, some Indian players look like they haven’t been coached before.”
ATK Mohun Bagan two good in Kolkata derby
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 27, 2020 11:27 PM IST
Singh’s 85th minute goal against SC East Bengal capped off a 2-0 win for ATK Mohun Bagan after Roy Krishna had opened scoring with another left-footer in the 49th.
My mother thinks I am the best. And I was raised to always believe what my mother tells me: Maradona the boy genius
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON NOV 27, 2020 09:55 PM IST
Even during a low point in his career at Barcelona, the way Maradona suddenly stopped and let an opponent slip, won applause from Real Madrid fans.
Nothing ‘Gentile’ about tackles on Maradona
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 27, 2020 07:55 AM IST
Like all ball players before 1998, Maradona was kicked and brutalised by opponents for which now they would have been booked, ejected, given long suspensions, often all three.
All set for first Kolkata derby in ISL
UPDATED ON NOV 26, 2020 09:51 PM IST
It is only on Friday evening that ISL will get the real feel of a derby when SC East Bengal meet ATK Mohun Bagan.
Diego Maradona (1960-2020): When death felt like a tackle from behind
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata, Hindustan Times
UPDATED ON NOV 26, 2020 10:00 AM IST
In India, the 1986 World Cup was where all games were shown live for the first time. And since he made that World Cup his own, Maradona straddled a line between legend and God in a country he wouldn’t visit till 2008.
ISL training grounds could lead to injuries, says NorthEast coach Nus
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON NOV 25, 2020 09:54 PM IST
With 11 teams in Goa, good training grounds was always going to be a problem. The league started identifying and working on getting pitches ready in August. ISL teams were asked to choose training venues in September.
ISL 2020: Santana penalty helps Hyderabad down Odisha
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON NOV 24, 2020 12:05 AM IST
Santana’s 10th ISL goal in his second season came with a blast down the middle. The penalty was conceded after Manuel Onwu lost the ball to Narzary helping him and Santana,33, launch the attack.
India vs Australia: Sunil Gavaskar, Dennis Lillee and fire lit at MCG
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 23, 2020 10:31 AM IST
Gavaskar has been adjudged leg-before on 70 after having added 165 with Chauhan—the duo had 10 century-stands in 3,010 runs scored in 59 Test innings.
All you need to know about ISL
By Dhiman Sarkar & Bhargab Sarmah | Kolkata/New Delhi
UPDATED ON NOV 20, 2020 08:17 AM IST
From bio-bubble protocols to the Aussie influx, from the Kolkata giants to the Spanish influence, India’s top-flight football season kicks off.
Indian clubs need to build teams for the long term: Bhaichung Bhutia
By Bhargab Sarmah & Dhiman Sarkar | New Delhi/Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 18, 2020 08:47 AM IST
Bhutia spoke about the upcoming ISL season, Indian clubs playing at the Asian level and the importance of building a team for the long term.
Cricket, cocooned in a pandemic
By Dhiman Sarkar/Rasesh Mandani | Kolkata/Mumbai
UPDATED ON NOV 13, 2020 09:06 AM IST
IPL in bio-bubble was a massive logistics battle won, though the mental drain on players living in a sanitised set-up is a concern.
Footballers fret over no India games in 2020
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 12, 2020 09:50 PM IST
Leagues have paused globally for the international break but India’s plans have been hit amid the Covid-19 situation.
IPL and Mumbai Indians - That winning habit
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 11, 2020 02:26 PM IST
If MI eased to a victory it’s because apart from their strength in depth, their in-form batsmen and the Boult-Bumrah combination, they also know what it takes to win big games.
FC Goa look to tackle fixture pile-up
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 06, 2020 11:21 PM IST
A lot of teams will have a lot of problems because of the short pre-season, says FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando.
SRH defeat MI, enter playoffs, KKR out
By Dhiman Sarkar | Kolkata:
UPDATED ON NOV 03, 2020 11:29 PM IST
MI rested Jaspreet Bumrah and Trent Boult and as conditions became difficult for bowling, SRH showed their openers were enough.
Jinx ended, promising signs for Arteta’s Arsenal
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, Kolkata
UPDATED ON NOV 03, 2020 07:01 AM IST
Improving Gunners make strong statement with first win at Old Trafford in 14 years after Pogba mistake leads to a penalty.
IPL 2020, CSK vs KKR: Ravindra Jadeja sixes hand CSK win, leave KKR play-off hopes hanging by a thread
By Dhiman Sarkar | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON OCT 29, 2020 11:43 PM IST
IPL 2020, CSK vs KKR: Chakravarthy got Dhoni and dropped Sam Curran in the same over but KKR still managed to pull it back. And then they lost to Jadeja.
Massively behind in preparation but 100 percent sure we will get it right: Fowler
By Dhiman Sarkar/Bhargab Sarmah | Kolkata/New Delhi
UPDATED ON OCT 29, 2020 10:08 AM IST
Robbie Fowler speaks of life in a bubble, his time at Brisbane Roar and of the days that made him a Liverpool hero.