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.

Published on Jul 04, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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.

Updated on Jul 02, 2025 10:33 PM IST
, Kolkata
Dhiman SarkarClub 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

Updated on Jul 01, 2025 09:58 PM IST
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

Published on Jun 28, 2025 05:58 AM IST
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.

Published on Jun 27, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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

Published on Jun 22, 2025 06:11 PM IST
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.

Published on Jun 21, 2025 06:32 AM IST
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

Published on Jun 20, 2025 11:26 PM IST
HT Kick Off: What numbers do not reveal
In this issue Dhiman shows why data sometimes raises more questions than it answers.

Published on Jun 20, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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

Updated on Jun 18, 2025 07:17 PM IST
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.

Published on Jun 13, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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.

Updated on Jun 10, 2025 10:41 PM IST
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.

Updated on Jun 09, 2025 10:56 PM IST
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

Updated on Jun 09, 2025 10:38 PM IST
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.

Published on Jun 06, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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.

Updated on Jun 04, 2025 11:31 PM IST
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

Published on Jun 02, 2025 09:04 PM IST
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

Published on Jun 01, 2025 06:58 PM IST
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?

Published on May 30, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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.

Updated on May 29, 2025 07:45 PM IST
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

Updated on May 28, 2025 08:41 PM IST
Adaptability key to De Bruyne and Modric’s success
Their roles at Manchester City and Real Madrid changed over the years, not effectivity.

Updated on May 27, 2025 09:44 PM IST
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

Updated on May 25, 2025 07:17 PM IST
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

Updated on May 25, 2025 12:48 AM IST
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.

Published on May 23, 2025 09:00 AM IST
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

Published on May 22, 2025 09:08 PM IST
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.

Published on May 18, 2025 05:26 AM IST
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.

Published on May 16, 2025 07:30 AM IST
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%

Published on May 14, 2025 07:29 PM IST
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.

Updated on May 12, 2025 10:51 PM IST