The body language between the tall Englishman and the Indian medium-pacer with an endearing grin radiated friendship, unusual for two teams contesting the Test championship of the world.
With the pressure mounting on him, Aussie skipper is left with no choice but to bat up the order, says Bikash Mohapatra
While 2013 saw the sun set on one of the most successful cricket careers, it also threw up two new Indian stars in the galaxy, says Bikash Mohapatra.
Australia don't have a quality spinner who can make India suffer. Michael Clarke's team, says Bikash Mohapatra, will do well if it even draws a Test or two!
Mahendra Singh Dhoni appears to be modest in his interview with Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra about scoring his majestic double century.
MS Dhoni looked a satisfied man after his team beat Australia in the first Test. Bikash Mohapatra says his decision to persist with spinners and bat up the order played in India's favour.
After a depressing Test series against England, Team India began the four Test series against Australia on a winning note. Bikash Mohapatra, who covered the first Test at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, identifies the turning points in the game.
Sachin Tendulkar's last century came more than two years ago against South Africa. Considering his current run, the maestro has to justify that at age 40 he can contribute more to the side than just experience, says Bikash Mohapatra.
So while going for a series win against Australia can be construed as 'positive mindset', hopes of a revenge win, a 4-0 whitewash might just backfire, says Bikash Mohapatra.
Having spent a whopping 91 consecutive weeks as world No 3, Novak Djokovic was, at best, considered just strong supporting player in the Federer-Nadal show. The No 1 ranking, and Wimbledon triumph, says Senior Associate Editor Bikash Mohapatra, has set the record straight.
While we wait with bated breath for the upcoming Asia Cup, Bikash Mohapatra dissects the disastrous tour.
As the Dutchman settles down in the freezing climes of Eastern Europe, rediff.com takes a look at a few coaches who preceded the Dutchman in taking charge of relatively new clubs at the twilight of their respective careers.
Mumbai's reputation in the Ranji Trophy, says Bikash Mohapatra, is enough to intimidate opponents and put them under pressure even before they take the field.
Mumbai's bowling mainstay, Dhawal Kulkarni, tell Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra, that the key to his success is being patient, sticking to basics and doing things well.
After defending their Indian Premier League crown Chennai Super Kings is being compared with one of the best teams in modern sport. Bikash Mohapatra analyses the analogy.
Having covered many a Test match from the media box, Bikash Mohapatra watched Day 2 of the second Test between India and the West Indies from the Wankhede stands. At the end of it, he says never again!
Novak Djokovic's 6-3, 6-4 demolition of the top-ranked Spaniard in the ATP World Tour Finals made him only the seventh player to win the year-end championship at least three times. We take a look at the players who preceded the Serb to the feat.
Umpire Nigel Llong inadvertently had a role to play in two key moments of the legend's last Test appearance at the Eden Gardens. The second, says Bikash Mohapatra, will ensure he won't be a popular figure in India for some time to come.
Rohit Sharma's 127 is not just a debut Test hundred. It is a tribute to fortitude, perseverance and self-belief.
Bikash Mohapatra analyses the performances of the Australian pace brigade that completely exposed the chinks in the Indian batting.
After being plagued by injury, Baroda captain Irfan Pathan returned to lead the team to the Ranji Trophy quarters. Now that Baroda's season is all but over Yusuf's stint as captain could, at best, be described as bittersweet, writes Bikash Mohapatra.
Former India all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla tells Bikash Mohapatra there will not be any pressure on the batting legend in his farewell Tests as he handled it so well in all these years.
India discard Parthiv Patel tells Bikash Mohapatra he continues to work hard on his game every season because of the motivation of regaining his place in the team.
Following Virat Kohli's middle finger gesture in the second Test against Australia, Bikash Mohapatra looks back on instances when Indian cricketers were penalised for their actions on the field.
Pune Warriors coach Geoff Marsh tells Bikash Mohapatra his franchise owners have spared no effort in ensuring a good team.
Bikash Mohapatra catches with former English captain Ted Dexter on his visit to Kolkata. A chat with Rediff.com about his career, his memories of India, the England team and, of course, Sachin Tendulkar.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni goes into the third Test against England aware that a win will help him equal Sourav Ganguly's record at the Eden Gardens. Bikash Mohapatra on the landmark that awaits.
Bikash Mohapatra analyses what went wrong for India, and right for England, in the just-concluded second Test in Mumbai.
In an exclusive interview to Bikash Mohapatra, NBA legend Ron Harper goes back in time to talk about his career, Michael Jordan and why he wants to be like his illustrious coach.
Bikash Mohapatra looks back on three innings that characterize the resilience of England captain Alastair Cook.
The India-England series seems a lost cause for the visitors, feels Bikash Mohapatra.
Our correspondent Bikash Mohapatra travels to the centre of the country -- trying to rediscover the country again.
Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra, who is in the US to cover the presidential election, finds out that the American voter does not really trust the electronic voting machine.
Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra, who is covering the US presidential elections, was at the Republican rally in Tampa, Florida where Mitt Romney resumed his poll campaign after a two-day break owing to superstorm Sandy
Tennis ace Leander Paes lists three reasons that made the bronze medal win at the Atlanta Olympics special.
Quite a few of the major acquisitions in the European transfer market have started on a positive note, paying their new clubs back for the millions doled out for their signatures. We take a look at a few players who have already begun to prove themselves as value for money signings.
Michael Clarke's team, says Bikash Mohapatra, may have lost the Ashes 0-3, but did enough to ensure England will have a lot to worry about in three months' time.
Ahead of the latest edition of the US Open, which starts in a few days, we take a look at a few innovations the tournament has introduced over the years, and also what makes it 'different'.
Having started out on the grass courts of Newport Casino (Rhode Island) in 1881, the Grand Slam is now played on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows (New York). However, it was also played on the clay courts in Forest Hills between 1975-77, making it the lone major to be played on three surfaces.
Brazilian club Internacional's triumph over Mexican side Guadalajara on Thursday in the Copa Libertadores -- the South American equivalent of the Champions League -- final has ensured the possibility of a match-up with their European namesake, Internazionale, in the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi at the year-end.
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