Rediff.com looks at a few innings that redefined Test batting this year, and, in the process, upheld the tradition of the five-day format.
Alastair Cook's England lost a chance to complete a clean sweep over Australia and create history. Bikash Mohapatra it's one they may never get again.
Our sports bodies, says Bikash Mohapatra, must get their act correct first, instead of restraining players from venting their displeasure in public.
By not fielding the fringe players in the squad in the first three ODIs, Bikash Mohapatra says, the whole point of accommodating a trip to Zimbabwe in Team India's already hectic schedule was defeated.
Indian affection borders on extremities. With an overdose of cricket scheduled in the coming months, Bikash Mohapatra says, the humiliation Team India suffered in England will conveniently be forgotten.
Two-time NBA champion Chris Bosh talks to Bikash Mohapatra about Miami Heat's success story, LeBron James and why he puts the team above personal gratification.
Bikash Mohapatra takes a look at cricket's biggest names to call it a day this year.
James Anderson's bowling, says Bikash Mohapatra, was the difference between England and Australia in the just-concluded first Test in Nottingham.
Rediff.com takes a look at the clubs that have made the biggest noise in the transfer market.
Despite having a bad start as Team India coach, the experienced Duncan Fletcher will bounce back and put India on the winning track soon enough, writes Bikash Mohapatra.
India, replying to England's 591-6 declared, were 103 for 5, 488 runs adrift, in the first innings, at stumps on Day 3 of the fourth Test.
Captain Andrew Strauss says English cricket has been through an evolutionary cycle. 'Since the introduction of central contracts, things have gone up.'
James Anderson, England's bowling spearhead and one of their key performers with 18 wickets (@ 24.27) from the three Tests played in the series, is likely to be fit for the final Test at The Oval, beginning Thursday.
A spineless India surrendered their No 1 status to a ruthless England as they slumped to an innings and 242-runs defeat, allowing the hosts clinch the completely lop-sided four-match series by taking a 3-0 lead at Edgbaston.
Alastair Cook hit a career-best 294 as a ruthless England buried India under a massive 486-run lead to leave the visitors with a daunting task of saving the third Test.
The opportunity to play Test cricket for England again may not have come the way he would have expected, but for Ravi Bopara it is an opportunity nonetheless.
The Indian team woke up on Thursday morning to what was not a very pleasant sight. After days of bright sunshine, it was pouring in Northamptonshire, putting paid to hopes of having some practice ahead of Friday's tour match.
With Steve McLaren at the helm, fans of former European champions, Nottingham Forest FC, tell Bikash Mohapatra they believe the historical club may secure promotion to top-flight football this season.
Bikash Mohapatra reports on an unusual friendship -- between the English star and the Indian newcomer.
Rahul Dravid, who became the second highest Test runs scorer on Saturday, admitted the pressure of expectation on Sachin Tendulkar helped his cause to a great extent.
Bikash Mohapatra digs out athletes who have given their nations a solitary golden moment at the Olympics.
Even as England captain Andrew Strauss tries to solve the Zaheer puzzle, Bikash Mohapatra presents a few other batsmen who have struggled against 32-year-old left-arm seamer.
Former India cricket captain Ajit Wadekar is hopeful that with T20 becoming popular, the sport has a chance of figuring in the Games in future.
As the whole country hopes for better returns from the upcoming London Games, Rediff.com takes a look at a few Indian athletes who missed out on Olympic medals.
Rediff.com takes a look at a few known names who failed to win gold at the premier sporting extravaganza.
Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra suggests that IPL 6 was a reality check. He further points out that cricket has become an addiction, so much so that we conveniently forget what is wrong with the game.
Even as Novak Djokovic embarks on his latest attempt at the elusive Roland Garros title, rediff.com takes a look at a few legendary names in the game who failed to complete their Grand Slam collection, following repeated failures at the French Open.
Multiple World table tennis champion Peter Karlsson tells Bikash Mohapatra if he can give the experiences he got as a player to other young players, he'd be more than happy.
India's bench strength survived a few anxious moments to pocket the one-day series against West indies. Senior Associate Editor Bikash Mohapatra analyses the success stories for Team India in the series.
At the Madrid Open, Serena Williams became only the 10th woman to win 50 career titles. Bikash Mohapatra takes a look at players who preceded her at the elusive club.
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.
Despite of his recent success in the T20 version, it is Test cricket that remains Murali Vijay first preference, writes Bikash Mohapatra.
It's been a decade since an American won in Paris. For that matter, no player from the country has made it to the final at Roland Garros since. Historically, the French Open is the lone major where Americans have struggled to assert their authority. There's something about
Rediff.com takes a look at the select few promising Indians who left a mark on the tournament.
Bikash Mohapatra salutes Shah Rukh Khan and Kolkata Knight Riders on their triumph in the fifth edition of the IPL
Having made a forgettable ODI debut against Sri Lanka in July 2005, Raina makes history on his Test debut against the same opponents five years on.
With a bulk of the matches over, rediff.com takes a look at how the most expensive players have performed in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League.
If the high-profile purchases in IPL V have belied their worth, there are some who have exceeded expectations. Bikash Mohapatra presents the smart buys
The exclusion of Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan was expected. The decision, which took a long time coming, in all likelihood, brings the curtains down on the One-day careers of the trio, says Bikash Mohapatra.
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