'Good performance in any format is good because it is confidence.' 'The striking of the ball, when it hits the bat and creates that sound that to me is confidence.' 'So, that sound will give a lot of confidence and I feel if you are confident in any format that is what matters.'
'I don't want it to be a batting affair otherwise you could just walk in with the umpire, with the bowling machine, put your hat on the bowling machine, walk away.' Brett Lee tells Harish Kotian on how Twenty20 cricket has changed the dynamics of cricket and why a bit of controlled aggression is needed in the sport.
Coach A N Sharma recalls his first meeting with Virender Sehwag way back in 1993 when he turned up at his academy in Vikaspur, West Delhi, wanting to be a cricketer. More than anything, he remembers how he had come across a young boy, who amongst other things, just wanted to hit every ball he faced.
Five tribal youngsters from Maharashtra's Dhule district will run the Singapore Marathon this Sunday.
Who do you feel is India's best bat for the No. 3 slot in the second Test against Sri Lanka, starting on Thursday, August 20.
'I would have to say Sachin. He has got that aura. He would be the guy I choose,' says former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee when asked to comment on Tendulkar and Lara's greatness.
Ajit Chandila has been handed a life ban, while Hiken Shah has been banned for five years for their role in match-fixing during the Indian Premier League, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on Monday. The BCCI's Disciplinary Committee, headed by president Shashank Manohar, also comprising Jyotiraditya Scindia and Niranjan Shah, made the decision after their meeting in Mumbai. Chandila and Shah appeared in person before the Committee on December 24 last and were given time till January 4 to file a written response to the charges against them.
While the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler are already big hits with the fans, others like Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar will be looking for attention with some good performances.
'Players want a lot of games to stay in touch. You take them away from the game and they lose touch.'
Virat Kohli's horror run with the bat brought back memories of England 2014 while Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara also failed to live up to their top billing. A look at how the Indian players fared in New Zealand.
'If we focus on doing the basics well and give our best in whatever we do, then we have a good chance of going through the semis.' 'After that, we need just two good days to win the World Cup.'
A former official tells Rediff.com's Harish Kotian why Shaw deserved a lighter sentence, and why BCCI's anti-doping programme is the best in the country.
'What authority does Vinod Rai have to take such a decision and overrule Diana Edulji?' 'The big shock was that the female employee who accused Rahul Johri was not even called to depose before the probe panel.'
Describing his maiden experience of overseeing the organisation of a Test match as an "interesting experience", high court-appointed observer Justice Mukul Mudgal said it feels like a 'daughter's marriage'.
'For me, Dhoni is the main guy in the middle order and people will revolve around him.'
'Aggression is very important.' 'In the new scoring system the judges are more impressed if you land more punches and fight more aggressively.'
James Faulkner talks to Harish Kotian/Rediff.com about his time with Rajasthan Royals, his match-wining performance in the World Cup final against New Zealand and the Australia Test spot he's eyeing.
'If we keep bowling like this, we will win as many as Tests as possible.'
'Australia will be a different proposition... the pitches will be completely different than England.'
The biggest challenge before Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri ahead of the semi-final will be how best to utilise Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
It is widely considered the greatest comeback in Test history.
A look at how the Indian players rated in the Test series against South Africa.
Much before the BCCI came out with its probe panel report, many were aware what was coming.
Hockey greats Vasudevan Baskaran, M M Somaya and Mervyn Fernandis relive India's gold medal-winning campaign at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
'Athletes get Rs 600 daily for their diet.' 'My kids eat chocolates for Rs 600!'
In order to bring about a balance between bat and ball, the game's lawmakers - Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) - has recommended limiting bat size edges and depths. In addition, the MCC's World Cricket Committee, headed by former England captain Mike Brearley that met here for two days ending today, has also come up with the radical suggestion of introducing a football-hockey-like red card as punishment for violent acts on the cricket field.
Rohit Sharma's unbeaten century and Yuzvendra Chahal's superb show with the ball along with Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spell helped India begin their World Cup campaign with a confident victory.
E A S Prasanna, whom Ian Chappell rates as the greatest off-spinner ever, tells Harish Kotian what worked for Moeen and what didn't for Ashwin.
Zaheer Khan discusses India's chances in the upcoming World T20 in March-April. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com listens in.
'I always wanted to play Test cricket. I just didn't want to be a cricketer who played One-Dayers and T20s and just goes away.' Jasprit Bumrah on why playing Test cricket is so important for him.
Sachin: A Billion Dreams reveals how Greg Chappell's faulty tactics damaged India's chances in the 2007 World Cup.
'Rohit can bring a lot to the table.' 'And if he clicks, then imagine how strong our batting line-up will be.'
Mumbai Indians' third IPL triumph on Sunday was largely down to a stellar contribution with the ball from the young fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
'When the team is struggling, he is the one who wants to step up and play that important innings.'
'When I came here yesterday, I was worried and I couldn't sleep at night. But thanks to Brijesh, we found a way out. He asked me if it would help if we covered the pitch from above, and got a waterproof shamiana erected'
If India toyed with the South Africans, it was mainly because of awesome performances from spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
'I am a private person but over time I have figured there are certain things people want to see, which people want to know.'
'They are all worried about one thing -- what about tomorrow?'
India's carefully devised plan to triumph in England seems to be coming undone with injuries to their key bowlers.
Dinesh Karthik's experience got him the nod, says Harish Kotian, but Ambati Rayudu's exclusion is puzzling.
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