The increase in frequency of matches between India and Sri Lanka, says Bikash Mohapatra, has killed the charm and excitement that accompanied matches between the sides a few years back.
Rediff.com takes a look at overs in the ongoing IPL which had a significant impact on the eventual result.
If the last season was all about creating (and consolidating) reputation, this year it's been about damaging it. Rediff.com takes a look at a few players who have done little in this IPL to bolster their credentials.
Even in the face of riots, the united spirit of Birmingham stands tall, reports Bikash Mohapatra
Rafael Nadal's mauling of Novak Djokovic in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday was memorable in more ways than one.
Minutes before miscreants got into action at the Birmingham City Centre, breaking into shops and looking property, the Indian cricket team was in the area.
For a tournament where records are broken faster than they are set, the Indian Premier League can boast of a few untouched landmarks. Rediff.com takes a look at landmarks tough to replicate.
In beating Australia comprehensively in the first two Tests of the ongoing series, MS Dhoni, while silencing his many critics, has confirmed that, at present, he is the best man to lead India, says Bikash Mohapatra.
Australia's Brad Haddin tells Bikash Mohapatra he's content with both his batting and my wicketkeeping.
It was on this day (March 12) last year that Sachin Tendulkar scored 111 against South Africa in Nagpur. It was his 99th international hundred. A year later, the wait for the 'century of centuries' continues.
Bikash Mohapatra look at gems from Rahul Dravid's blade that lacked lustre thanks to the flamboyance displayed by a teammate.
How long can you hold on to your place in the national team based on past performances?
Bikash Mohapatra singles out at a few players whose performance, rather lack of it, cost India the title.
In an exclusive interview with Bikash Mohapatra in Pune, Arata Izumi, the first foreign born player to get a national call-up, talks about his surprise selection, his career and Indian football in general.
Despite a premature end to his ODI career, Ricky Ponting should have no regrets. He achieved everything on offer as player and captain in one-day cricket, says Bikash Mohapatra.
Following another failed season for Arsenal, and its manager Arsene Wenger, Bikash Mohapatra traces the decline of the North London club.
Bikash Mohapatra, in an attempt to diagnose what ails Indian cricket, identifies what we are well aware of, but hate to admit!
Aakash Chopra talks to Bikash Mohapatra about Rajasthan's Ranji Trophy triumph, the domestic format and India's dismal showing in the Test series Down Under.
Virender Sehwag doesn't need to look anywhere for inspiration when he leads India in the fourth Test against Australia. His persevering innings the last time he played at the Adelaide Oval, says Bikash Mohapatra, is enough to give his batting the fillip it desperately needs.
As Kim Clijsters and Novak Djokovic set out to defend their titles at Melbourne Park, rediff.com takes a look at a few interesting facts and figures related to the year's first major tournament.
It was not only the batsman, but also captain in 28-year-old Alastair Cook that provided the drive for England's Test series win in India, says Bikash Mohapatra.
Englishman Steve McClaren is the fifth coach in the last 12 months to return to his former club, FC Twente. Bikash Mohapatra's lists coaches who reignited partnerships that yielded excellent results in their first stints.
Even as Michael Clarke's many fans celebrate his mammoth hundred, Bikash Mohapatra takes a look at a few instances when the 30-year-old played a crucial role in Tests against India.
The on-going Test series against England was touted as a revenge series for India. A lot was expected of captain MS Dhoni and the seniors, but they have been anything but inspiring. With their dismal show in the current series Team India has fallen to its nadir. After losing the third Test in Kolkata on Sunday, the team needs some intense introspection and are left playing for pride, writes Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra.
History, and the crowd, will be behind India in the third Test against England, says Bikash Mohapatra, when they set out on Wednesday to regain lost pride and extend their 13-year unbeaten run at the Eden Gardens.
Sachin Tendulkar's dual failure in the second Test against England prompts Bikash Mohapatra to dig out his record at his home ground.
After the first Test against England at Motera, M S Dhoni was categorical about the kind of wickets he would like to see in the remaining matches of the series. It won't be a surprise, says Bikash Mohapatra, if the curators appease him with rank turners.
Rediff.com takes a look at the footballers who are making an impact recently despite a protective gear.
The upcoming tour of Australia provides Virat Kohli an ideal platform to resurrect his Test career, writes Bikash Mohapatra
With India having comprehensively overpowered the Windies in the first two Tests, the hosts look good to continue their dominance over the visitors. And with a fairly poor record at the Wankhede, it looks a tough job for the Windies to rewrite history, writes Bikash Mohapatra.
Opportunity knocked on the door for Vishnu Vardhan, and he made the best of it. The 25-year-old Olympian discusses it with Bikash Mohapatra.
The last few weeks have seen a whole new bunch of this Gen Next making a splash on the field. While for some it marked a promising start, in case of others it was about finally making a mark. Rediff.com gives a lowdown on these memorable efforts.
As Sir Alex Ferguson completes 25 years in charge of Manchester United, Bikash Mohapatra takes a look at the Scot's legacy at Old Trafford.
With twin successes on the Asian swing of the ATP Tour, Novak Djokovic is back in the reckoning in a comparatively less successful year. And with no points to defend in the weeks ahead, the Serb, says Bikash Mohapatra, is the lone challenger to Roger Federer in the race for the year-end No.1 ranking.
Soon after Varun Aaron had bowled the first ball of his seventh over, his hands went up to cover his face.
In the last eight months Ivan Lendl inculcated in Andy Murray the attributes he was known for. The Scot's back-to-back triumphs in the Olympics and US Open, says Bikash Mohapatra, is testimony to it.
Rediff.com takes a look at other instances where two players, their teams not facing each other, have scored their maiden Test hundreds on the same day.
Friday's fifth and final ODI against England will mark the end of Rahul Dravid's illustrious ODI career. Bikash Mohapatra salutes the batting ace whose perseverance translated into success.
While Petra Kvitova is the first woman to achieve the 'inglorious' feat, there have been three men who were there before hand to welcome her as a member of the not-so-wanted club.
The Kiwis have exposed that Team India, despite its top ranking, is yet to become a dominant Test nation.
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