"Our poor first innings scores have let us down," Michael Clarke said after the Hyderabad defeat. Bikash Mohapatra feels the Aussie batsmen need to set the agenda, the way Alistair Cook and his team did against the Indians last winter.
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.
The last time Cheteshwar Pujara batted at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, he scored 159, his maiden hundred. Seven months later, he returned to the venue and outdid the effort with a double ton. Bikash Mohapatra reports.
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.
Sure, Australia were outplayed in the Chennai Test, but not all was lost for the visitors, says Bikash Mohapatra.
For once the Indian win was not crafted by just a couple of players. Barring a couple of failures, virtually the entire team contributed to the Chennai triumph. Bikash Mohapatra identifies the three heroes who led the Indian charge to victory.
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.
James Anderson's bowling, says Bikash Mohapatra, was the difference between England and Australia in the just-concluded first Test in Nottingham.
Rediff.com lists the batsmen who have unfortunately been dismissed without facing a ball during this IPL. A look at the tournament's diamond ducks.
With his match-winning knock in the second Test against India Kevin Pietersen, says Bikash Mohapatra, reaffirmed that his off-field shenanigans cannot undermine the flair and flamboyance that define his batting.
With the first of six successive games, away from their comfort zone, conceded to Mumbai Indians, the results of the next five will be crucial in determining how comfortably the team from Bangalore is placed when it welcomes Punjab at the Chinnaswamy on May 14, says Bikash Mohapatra.
In winning the Premier League in his first season with Manchester United, after eight frustrating years with Arsenal, Robin van Persie joined an elite club of players for whom leaving the clubs where they spent a bulk of their careers proved a remarkable switch. Rediff.com takes a look at a few other such examples.
Bikash Mohapatra rates the 175 against Australia at Hyderabad in 2009 the best he's witnessed from the batting icon's blade, and prays for at least one more similar one before he calls it a day.
Rediff.com takes a look at a few high profile transfers in Europe in the winter even as window closed on Thursday.
While the two major political parties have different policies for the migrant population, there is no concrete national policy as such, reports Bikash Mohapatra
Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph, says Bikash Mohapatra, was about consistent individual performances, particularly that of wicketkeeper-batsman Aditya Tare, who impressed in his first full season.
Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra reports from Ohio, one of the battleground states in America's presidential election
Noted physicist Yash Pal and space scientist Roddam Narasimha were among those chosen for this year's second highest civilian honour of Padma Vibhushan while yesteryear cine stars late Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore and cricketer Rahul Dravid were selected for Padma Bhushan.
Dinesh Karthik's dazzling performance with the bat stands out among stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.
Barack Obama is the "only right person" for America, said former president Bill Clinton as he endorsed his defence policy and touted his job record. Bikash Mohapatra reports from St Petersburg
Credit to priority sectors as well as small and medium industries will be discussed to find ways to accelerate economic growth.
Take a look at celebs at Aamir Khan's Diwali party.
Rediff.com takes a look at a sportspersons whose careers had a fairy-tale finish.
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.
R Ashwin is in line for another player of the series award, says Bikash Mohapatra. After the first two Tests against Australia, has already a tally of 18 wickets, four more than he finished with against England.
Though it retained its home advantage in recent years, the Indian cricket team, says Bikash Mohapatra, is no longer the indomitable force it used to be.
With the pressure mounting on him, Aussie skipper is left with no choice but to bat up the order, 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!
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.
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.
Replacing a coach like Gary Kirsten, who was a massive success with Team India, was never going to be easy for Duncan Fletcher. Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra points out that Fletcher doesn't have a report card that makes for great reading but he still enjoys the backing of captain MS Dhoni.
England's recent performances in the subcontinent were far from impressive. In fact, they were even beaten at home against the formidable Proteas. Those woeful results made them the under dogs for their tour to India. But they have turned the tables and their fortune, and how! Ironing out technical glitches and batting with patience has been the key to England's superiority in this series, writes Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra.
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.
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