In cricket, we have something that we can share with our families, neighbours and indeed, the whole country. It is colour-blind, language-neutral, truly secular and transcends all regions, from Kashmir to Kerala and Mizoram to Maharashtra, explains Shreekant Sambrani.
Indian captain Virat Kohli and spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin were in Wednesday honoured for their phenomenal run of form through the season in the BCCI Awards Night 2017 in Bengaluru.
On the eve of the release of his book, 2014: The election That Changed India, Rajdeep speaks candidly in an interview with Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.
'In the leadership of Ganguly and a foreign coach, a much brighter phase of Indian cricket began.' 'India played the way I had wished throughout my playing career.' 'Dhoni brought calmness into Indian cricket.' 'Under Dhoni India started winning tight games, with the captain himself leading by example.'
'My bench mate at school was Shashi Kapoor and we were together from KG right up to the 10th standard.'
When former cricketer VVS Laxman was asked about his views about cricket under lights with pink ball, he said, "It's a work in progress".
Ravichandran Ashwin's sense of humour is unmatched and he won a lot of hearts with a moving speech in which he even made up for a faux pas by former India keeper Farookh Engineer.
India's team director Ravi Shastri has agreed with former captain Rahul Dravid's views on not having too many bilateral ODI and T20 matches and said there should be more emphasis on the World Cup for the limited overs formats of the game.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray will not participate in the all-party meeting called by the state government to resolve the loudspeaker dispute, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said on Monday.
'We don't feel that the law and order situation will turn bad because of our agitation.'
Leader of Opposition in the assembly Ajit Pawar (NCP) and fellow NCP leader Dilip Walse- Patil, who was home minister in the previous MVA government, too have been given 'Y-plus-escort' cover.
A series of howlers by umpires in the ongoing India-Australia cricket Test series Down Under has convinced former captain Dilip Vengsarkar to come out in support of the Decision Review System (DRS), a technology whose use has been consistently opposed by BCCI.
'What is true khadoos? Stubborn? Dogged? Unyielding? Relentless? Or something in between that? Or all of it together?' 'Just like you can't translate it, you can't teach a kid to be khadoos either. You can only inculcate that attitude in him by sharing stories of all the khadoos-ness of past stalwarts.' 'For instance, the story of Sunil Gavaskar batting left handed to counter the left-arm spin of Raghuram Bhat and salvaging a draw in the 1981-1982 Ranji Trophy semi-finals...' Rahul Dravid on Cricket's Great Oral Tradition.
'When I entered the Indian team's dressing room, I discovered that there was a divide in the team, like a wall in between two groups of players, there were two teams within one.' 'It was all about individual glory and if the team won in the process great!' 'My entire Test career was about me wishing that my Indian team was more like the Pakistan team.'
His great grandfather played Test cricket for both England and India. His grandfather was arguably the most charismatic captain India has had.
'Everyone's there just to criticise the young man and there is so much pressure on the poor guy.'
Former India captain and Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji took on Farokh Engineer for his 'snide remarks' made earlier this year targetting her and the COA.
An astute thinker of the game with copybook technique of the famed 'Bombay School of Batsmanship', Wadekar was more than just the captain, who led India to twin series victories in England and the West Indies in 1971.
Former India captain Rahul Dravid, on Friday, urged the cricket administrators to rethink their plans of One-day cricket, if they have to ensure the longevity of the format.
The 41-time Ranji Trophy winners will be playing their 500th encounter in the National championship against Baroda at the Wankhede Stadium to become first among the equals.
Lokesh Rahul put behind a failed debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to register a Test hundred in only his second Test as India ended Day 3 in the fourth and final Test against Australia on 342 for 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. Promoted to open the innings with Murali Vijay, the Karnataka batsman scored 110 and with skipper Virat Kohli, who was unbeaten on 140, guided India to 342 for 5 at stumps. In the course of his knock, Kohli obliterated many milestones. Check them out.
Sunil Gavaskar completed 50 years of his association with Indian cricket on Sunday -- five decades in which he has remained ever-relevant taking on a variety of roles.
'Of the 32 captains who have led India in Test cricket, only four have been pure bowlers -- Ghulam Ahmed, Venkatraghavan, Bishan Bedi and myself.' 'The captain must lead with only one idea in mind -- to win the game. The draw mentality is partly because captains lacked confidence and partly because they want to protect their record. If you don't think winning is the point of the game, there is little point in even entering the field.' 'As the Monekygate controversy raged, I received a message from Bishen Bedi, no stranger to controversies himself. "As a captain," he wrote, "take a decision you will be proud of when you look back on history".' Anil Kumble, cricketing legend, on the Art of Captaincy.
Ajit Wadekar recalls how India turned the tables on the the West Indies and won a historic victory.
'Test cricket is so fortunate that today's cricket's biggest brand -- Virat Kohli -- loves Test cricket and puts his heart and soul into it,' says Sanjay Manjrekar.
Rajneesh Gupta presents the numbers from the first Test.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha stitched an unbeaten 108-run partnership for the sixth wicket to rescue India from a precarious start as the visitors' posted 234 for five when stumps were drawn on day 1 of the third Test at St Lucia. Ashwin will resume the second day on 75 and will be eyeing his second century of the series. His partner Saha will begin his innings on 46. Statistical highlights on Day one of the third cricket test between India and the West Indies, here on Tuesday.
Ajinkya Rahane carved out his seventh Test century and was unbeaten on 108 runs as India extended their lead over West Indies by a mammoth 304 runs to take firm control of the second Test in Kingston. The final session on Day Three of the second Test was washed off due to rain.
Rajneesh Gupta presents the interesting numbers from the second day of Kingston Test between West Indies and India
Cricket legend Ajit Wadekar reflects on cricket's journey.
Guess which Indian batsman has scored the most runs against New Zealand? Rajneesh Gupta tells you that and more.
'If fame, money and comfort are the only factors that drive us, then we are playing cricket for entirely the wrong reasons.'
State BJP spokesman Keshav Upadhya termed it as "vendetta politics", while former chief minister Fadnavis said this would not impact his plans to travel and meet people.
'How do any of the cricketers who have been idolised by millions of fans not just for their ability, but also for their integrity and strength of character, continue to stay silent spectators, asks Faisal Shariff.
Parrikar returned to Goa as the chief minister for the fourth time, though he could not complete full terms in his earlier stints.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the numbers from the first Test in Rajkot.
'The EC seems to have killed the joy of elections by stretching it interminably.' 'Imagine watching Andhadhun in a six-hour format and you will get the point,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
'By God's grace, everything is okay and we are back as friends.'
At a time when the BJP is facing a perception battle, is Sambit Patra, its national spokesperson, helping the party's image?
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