We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.
Nathan McSweeney had a disappointing start to his international career after being ousted by Bumrah for 10 and zero in the first Test at Perth.
Intanon still holds on to the dream of an Olympic medal.
'Indian cricket is on an upward curve, definitely, other teams have to catch up with us and (the Champions Trophy) final is going to be crucial.'
Yuvraj, Azhar pay tribute to Bishan Singh Bedi
Moeen Ali revealed that Jofra Archer is the fastest bowler he has ever faced after watching the England newcomer rip South Africa apart at The Oval.
'...be it a comedy, thriller or a love story.' 'The bhindi costs Rs 30 per kilo, but the price of potato remains unchanged.'
'Hardik is also a part of leading group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do in the game going forward and also on the field. He is always around. It's like we have a lot of captains on the ground.'
United States President Joe Biden on Monday hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House that was attended by more than 600 eminent Indian Americans, including Congressmen, officials, and corporate executives, from across the country.
Gambhir has made his selection process clear by stating his strong belief in players featuring across all three formats.
"I really love the game, but most importantly, I want to win another World Cup for Australia."
Rohit Sharma exhorted his teammates to shut down outside noises and rumours and focus on winning the ongoing fifth Test against Australia that will help them retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
'He had a lovely, lovely, sense of humour, very subdued and very, very subtle, but it was very, very, prominent.'
Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday backed the retention of national team players in the Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2025
A true legend of the game who paved the way and taught so many of us how to be as a player and as a person.
'I want to play as long as I possibly can. I'm still hungry to play the game. If I keep bowling the way I did this week, the opportunity to retire will be taken out of my hands'
Carlos Alcaraz secured his passage into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 victory over Nuno Borges.
Serena Williams is leaving tennis but her love affair with the sport will continue assured the 23-times Grand Slam winner on Monday, after reaching the second round of the US Open which could be her competitive swan song.
'He's obviously got a young family now. In two-three years' time, everything changes, and he just wants to spend quiet time; I completely get that.'
The cricketing fraternity has paid glorious tributes to just-retired Virender Sehwag with India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading from the front, comparing his destructive batting with that of legendary Viv Richards.
Simone Biles surpassed Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo's record of 33 medals in total at the Olympics and World Championships.
'The kind of things they were writing, 'Oh, what is this, she's overacting at her wedding.' 'Why is she not covering her head?' 'The kind of liberty people take to comment on what I should be doing in my personal life is not something I'm okay with.'
World number one Ash Barty has decided to retire from professional tennis at the age of 25 and at the peak of her game, citing the fulfilment of her tennis goals and fatigue with life on the Tour.
As Warner's friend, want him to end on a high with Cup win: Usman Khawaja
'I don't know if it's symbolic of where the game itself is at around the globe, but I see it as an absolute positive to be honest.'
'Marquez is trying to instil his philosophy, and that's going to take time. In every camp, we're getting closer to what he wants from us as a team. With time, training, and the level of coaching he has, I have no doubt we'll be a strong team in the qualifiers.'
Usain Bolt is going to be back at the Olympics after eight years.
Well aware that he has not been "everyone's cup of tea", the enigmatic David Warner says he would have toned down a bit if he were to start all over again.
Smith carried his bat with an unbeaten 91 in a losing cause in Brisbane.
Veteran Indian tennis player Leander Paes is contemplating extending his career by another year to bid for an eighth Olympic appearance following the postponement of the Tokyo Games to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Paes, who will turn 47 in June, announced late last year that 2020 would be his "farewell year" as a professional before he hangs up his racket.
'Right from 2002, making my debut and 22 years later still getting to represent India. I'm extremely proud of that.'
Osaka never looked comfortable on her least favourite surface as she struggled to control her powerful game.
David Warner has expressed his ambition to take up coaching in future.
'I'm terrible at goodbyes, the world's worst'
Spain's Rafael Nadal said on Wednesday that he is not sure if he will be able to play at next month's French Open.
'Cricket as a pathway in the US was not something people thought about 10 years ago, even like five years ago.' 'But now that there is a pathway you can see.'
'This probably hurts more than any loss I've ever had'
Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of the Formula One season at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.
Win, lose or draw, Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic said she will relish the opportunity to play her idol Serena Williams when they face off at the US Open on Friday.
Digvijaya Singh, the Congress veteran who is one of its general secretaries, talks about his inability, despite years of urging, to get party vice-president and supposed heir, Rahul Gandhi, to communicate more directly. And, on related matters of generational change.
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