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.
Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra, who witnessed the historic re-election of Barack Obama as president, talks to former Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar about the future of the ties between the two democracies
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.
Ohio once again proved decisive when it came to the final result of the US presidential poll. Rediff.com's Bikash Mohapatra reports from the state that swung the election Obama's way
Most of the advertisements are crass and below the belt that many have been put off by it, writes Bikash Mohapatra
Mitt Romney is meant to be the President of the United States," declared Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida.
Dinesh Karthik's dazzling performance with the bat stands out among stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.
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.
Rediff.com takes a look at a sportspersons whose careers had a fairy-tale finish.
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.
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.
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.
With the pressure mounting on him, Aussie skipper is left with no choice but to bat up the order, says Bikash Mohapatra
Our sports bodies, says Bikash Mohapatra, must get their act correct first, instead of restraining players from venting their displeasure in public.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Robin van Persie has announced his arrival at Old Trafford in style. The question is will he make the same impact as Fergie's other Dutch signings?
Despite the escallating riots in London and its neighbouring areas, the third Test between India and England, beginning Wednesday, will go ahead. Confirming the same, the Warwickshire County Cricket Club issued a statement to this effect on Tuesday morning.
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.
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir fell cheaply, as India went to lunch on 87 for 2 against Northamptonshire, on Friday.
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.
Jessica Korda's maiden LPGA Tour title at the Australian Open on Sunday completed a two-sport, father-daughter double. Bikash Mohapatra presents instances of children following in their parents' footsteps, with varying degrees of success in different disciplines.
What's the point in having an extra day for the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals, asks Bikash Mohapatra, when teams are content batting for endless periods and settling for victory by virtue of the first innings lead?
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.
A few swimmers, their plethora of medals in other major international competitions notwithstanding, missed out on the medal that matters the most in the sport -- an Olympic gold. rediff.com takes a look at a few recent examples.
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.
Rediff.com takes a look at a few athletes in recent history who have upset the odds (and the favourites) to take home the gold at the world's biggest sporting event.
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.
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