Dhiman Sarkar

Dhiman Sarkar is based in Kolkata and has been a sport journalist for over three decades. He writes mainly on football.

Articles by Dhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: Will AIFF’s strikers’ proposal work?

Starting foreign attacking players in midfield or elsewhere can help clubs work around this, says Dhiman in this issue.

Will reducing a foreign player in the 11 help in the search for the next Sunil Chhetri?(AIFF)
Published on Jul 04, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

It’s official: AIFF, Marquez part ways

AIFF parts ways with coach Manolo Marquez; new head coach search begins. Proposal to reduce foreign players in ISL and I-League discussed.

Manolo Marquez and the All India Football Federation have agreed for the Spaniard to step down as the India men’s national football team coach. (AIFF Photo)
Updated on Jul 02, 2025 10:33 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar, Kolkata

Club World Cup: Fluminense, Palmeiras show Brazil is doing something right

Two clubs make quarter-final after all four clubs from the country that has won the World Cup five times qualify for the knockout stage

Fluminense's Brazil stalwart Thiago Silva celebrates as Lautaro Martinez looks on after Hercules scores in added time in the 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Club World Cup in Charlotte, North Carolina. (REUTERS)
Updated on Jul 01, 2025 09:58 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Players lacked desire against Bangladesh: AIFF’s national team director

I missed what I had seen in so many of my seniors and contemporaries, says former India goalie Subrata Paul

Subrata Paul. (Facebook)
Published on Jun 28, 2025 05:58 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: ISL: The way forward?

If AIFF accepts the proposal for a new agreement in its current form, it could have a lot to answer for, says Dhiman in this issue.

For ISL double winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Salt Lake stadium was a fortress last season. (Samir Jana/HT)
Published on Jun 27, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Thailand are beatable, we can go to Australia: Crispin Chhetri

Ahead of the 2026 AFC Asian Women’s Cup qualifiers, India women’s team head coach says a 23-year wait can end

India women’s football team head coach Crispin Chhetri. (AIFF)
Published on Jun 22, 2025 06:11 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

No promotion and relegation for 10 years in top league proposal

ISL proposes no promotion/relegation for 10 years, a 5-year expansion moratorium, and joint ownership with AIFF, amid ongoing Supreme Court discussions.

There shall be no promotion and relegation in ISL for at least 10 years, it has been proposed. (HT)
Published on Jun 21, 2025 06:32 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

AIFF is just a circus, says Bhutia hitting out again at Chaubey

Things cannot get any worse, says the former India captain as words war breaks out between him and federation president

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday made a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) leadership. (Hindustan Times)
Published on Jun 20, 2025 11:26 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: What numbers do not reveal

In this issue Dhiman shows why data sometimes raises more questions than it answers.

All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey (centre) flanked by the federation's treasurer Kipa Ajay (left) and technical director Syed Sabir Pasha at last Friday's media conference in New Delhi. (PTI)
Published on Jun 20, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

The goal drought India need to talk about

In 2023, seven of the national team’s 21 goals came from players who are not forwards. In 15 matches since, that number is two

Sunil Chhetri has scored 49 of the 138 India have scored since 2015, showing India’s heavy reliance on the senior striker for goal scoring. (Getty Images)
Updated on Jun 18, 2025 07:17 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: A tale of two coaches

In this issue, Dhiman talks about why the India men's head coach's job can feel like a poisoned chalice and yet has no dearth of takers.

At least Luciano Spalletti (left) got to leave on a winning note. Set to go, Manolo Marquez will not have that satisfaction.(AFP and AIFF)
Published on Jun 13, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Late penalty makes India’s road to Asian Cup difficult

India lose 0-1 to Hong Kong, struggling with missed chances and poor decisions, leaving their Asian Cup hopes in jeopardy.

India lost 0-1 to Hong Kong. (AIFF)
Updated on Jun 10, 2025 10:41 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Hong Kong could be Marquez’s last match as India coach

Kolkata: Manolo Marquez aims for India’s historic Asian Cup qualifier win in Hong Kong, potentially his last match as head coach, with a $50,000 bonus at stake.

Hong Kong could be Marquez’s last match as India coach
Updated on Jun 09, 2025 10:56 PM IST
ByDhiman SarkarDhiman Sarkar

PSG imprint on Portugal’s Nations League triumph

Mendes, Vitinha, Neves and Ramos played important roles in the country’s second title in this continental tournament

Team Portugal celebrates with the fans. (AFP)
Updated on Jun 09, 2025 10:38 PM IST
ByDhiman SarkarDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: June can be a tricky window

Dhiman says this is when holidays beckon but you still must lace up for your country. Or you need to do that just after a break.

Liston Colaco looks for a way out against Thailand in Pathum Thani near Bangkok on Wednesday.(AIFF)
Published on Jun 06, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Football: India lose 0-2 to Thailand in friendly

India aim to improve against Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifier focusing on better performance in the middle and front third.

India’s Liston Colaco between Thailand defenders in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Wednesday. (AIFF)
Updated on Jun 04, 2025 11:31 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

PSG’s transformation: team is king

Shifting focus from stars to a young squad that preys together has been key to a first Champions League title

This season Paris St-Germain have won Ligue 1, Coupe de France, French Super Cup and now the Champions League. (AFP)
Published on Jun 02, 2025 09:04 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Champions League: In PSG’s first, a benchmark for excellence

The 5-0 defeat of Inter in the Champions League final makes Luis Enrique’s young, skilful and fearless team the one to watch out for

Paris St-Germain's 19-year-old Desire Doue celebrates his first of two goals in the 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday. (AP)
Published on Jun 01, 2025 06:58 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: This time for Asia

Mehdi Taremi sticks out his right leg and finds Davide Fratessi who bends one past Wojciech Szczęsny. A small step for the Iranian, a giant leap for Inter?

Lee Kang-in or Mehdi Taremi can end Asia's 17-year wait for a Champions League medal. (Reuters and AFP)
Published on May 30, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

How PSG got better without Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe's departure from PSG has led to a transformation under Luis Enrique, making the team more cohesive and defensively solid ahead of the Champions League final.

Paris Saint-Germain's midfielder Joao Neves (L) celebrates with Ousmane Dembele (R) after scoring against Olympique de Marseille (OM). (AFP)
Updated on May 29, 2025 07:45 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Champions League final could be Inzaghi’s tryst with greatness

In four seasons as Inter coach, he has overcome adversity as easily as getting the perfect parting down the middle

Simone Inzaghi will hope to add to his trophy haul at Inter that includes a Serie A, three Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cup titles. (REUTERS)
Updated on May 28, 2025 08:41 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Adaptability key to De Bruyne and Modric’s success

Their roles at Manchester City and Real Madrid changed over the years, not effectivity.

n 422 matches for Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne has 108 goals and 177 assists. (AFP)
Updated on May 27, 2025 09:44 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Why football coaches at national teams tend to be pragmatic

Constantine, Stimac and Marquez, India coaches past and present, explain the difference between coaching a club and a national team

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique, posing after the French Cup win on May 24, has transformed the Ligue 1 champions after discarding the failed policy of chasing European glory with super stars. (AFP)
Updated on May 25, 2025 07:17 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

IPL: Rizvi takes DC home against Punjab Kings

Out of the playoffs race, Capitals pulled off a spirited chase against the already qualified PBKS, winning by six wickets in Jaipur

Delhi Capitals batter Sameer Rizvi, who hit a match-winning 58 not out against Punjab Kings in the IPL game played in Jaipur on Saturday. (AP)
Updated on May 25, 2025 12:48 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: Brian Glanville, football’s man of letters

For readers and writers of this beautiful game, Brian Glanville was often the most definitive last word, writes Dhiman in this issue.

Brian Glanville, an era ends.(The Football Writers' Association on X)
Published on May 23, 2025 09:00 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

Spurs in fantasy land, woes mount for Manchester United

First trophy after 2008 for Tottenham Hotspur comes after scrappy 1-0 win in Europa League final in Bilbao

Tottenham players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Europa League. (AP)
Published on May 22, 2025 09:08 PM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

IPL 2025: KKR’s damp squib of a season

Kolkata Knight Riders were eliminated from IPL 2025 after rain washed out their crucial match against RCB, highlighting their season struggles.

Kolkata Knight Riders payers during a practice session. (PTI)
Published on May 18, 2025 05:26 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

HT Kick Off: What Ancelotti’s move tells us

If Brazil can do it, so can any other country. Here's why Dhiman feels that Ancelotti's appointment ends the debate about foreign coaches for national teams.

Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, on May 14, 2025. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)(AFP)
Published on May 16, 2025 07:30 AM IST
ByDhiman Sarkar

IPL 2025: Why champions need to feel at home

Teams looking for their first title have won less than 50% of their home matches. For multiple winners MI, CSK and KKR that number is between 57% and 66%

Mumbai Indians. (ANI)
Published on May 14, 2025 07:29 PM IST
ByDhiman SarkarDhiman Sarkar

Virat’s desire to win was so bad that it was attractive: Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri reflects on Virat Kohli's Test retirement, sharing their bond over cricket, fitness, and mutual support in their sports journeys.

Virat Kohli (L) and Sunil Chhetri. (X)
Updated on May 12, 2025 10:51 PM IST
ByDhiman SarkarDhiman Sarkar
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