It Is Nice to Come Out of It All

"The only regret, I must say, is our inability to take squash to the Olympics. THAT WAS A BIG MINUS. We did our best and everybody knows that. But looking back, there is the satisfaction that we could get squash into the shortlist,” says N. Ramachandran, the former president of the World Squash Federation, in a chat with S. R. SURYANARAYAN.

Ramos Is Real Hero

The central defender pulled off the leveller in stoppage time to help Real Madrid SNATCH A POINT against Barcelona in the El Clasico.

In a Fix Over a Pile of Fixtures

Groans and complaints greet a packed fixture during the festive season of the English Premier League each year. The calls for the much-vaunted winter break to be introduced TO EASE CONGESTION come soon behind. After all, what manager would rather muddle through with a bandaged-up and tired side than put out a fresh, prepared one, asks FRANCIS KELLY.

Antoine Griezmann: Rubbing Shoulders With the Best

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world football over the last eight years. Griezmann, who has had a stellar 2016, banging in 32 goals for Atletico Madrid and finishing as the TOP SCORER in EURO 2016, has done just about enough to stand up and be counted alongside them.

corralled, but still bucking!

there are those who supported the bcci’s intransigence but believe now that the battle has been lost and enough is enough. but there are enough power-hungry, chair-hugging, moneylapping members who want to stymie the system by any means, mostly foul.

Let the Trumpets Blow!

In a warped way, the ODIs and Twenty20s that India’s corporates fancy bring in the moolah and also sustain the game’s overall health besides subsidising and sustaining Tests. Virat Kohli and his young bunch Will determine how long India will stay invested in Tests and the duration it will take to reach 1000 Tests. For now, let us celebrate the 500th Test and ideally as you read this, India would have defeated New Zealand. As they say, isn’t sport also about hope and the ‘here’ and ‘now’?

This Team Is Extremely Committed

In an extensive chat with select members of the media, Anil Kumble, the former India captain and one of the Game’s legends, spoke about his first foray into coaching, key players, pitch, media and the resultant scrutiny.

Can Djokovic Conquer The Paris Clay?

The greatest clay court champions, from Bjorn Borg to Rafael Nadal and from Chris Evert to Justine Henin, have shown true grit. From their preparation to their performance, they have displayed extraordinary passion and perseverance. More than any other court surface, clay rewards these traits. 

Bringing Swagger to Chelsea's Title March

In charge of a team with bounteous talent, Antonio Conte is proving he is yet another special one. If his success with Juventus can be relied upon, he may establish a Chelsea side that would REPLICATE THE GLORIES of his former Italian team. Conte’s teams are notoriously difficult to catch once they move ahead, something Serie A teams will find hard to dispute.

Nothing so High About I-League

Awful ground conditions, poor turnout at matches and below par marketing have been THE ORDER OF THE DAY in the I-League this season.

England Subjugated, Australia Awaited!

Pictures of a happy Indian dressing room show that things have fallen into place. Anil Kumble is carrying on the GREAT WORK DONE by Ravi Shastri, whose positive attitude can be seen in the young players. Kumble has brought his own work ethic to the team.

Hard Road Ahead For Smith

Steve Smith will still be in his 20s when he rises from the dead; age and talent will still be on his side. Had he retired just before the Cape Town Test, he might have been spoken of as a batting great, a role model. The role model is now a cautionary tale.

Aussies Pose A Big Challenge

India reached the final only on two occa­sions, and both times it ended up second best to a dominant Australia, which has won all the five editions so far.

A Dream Come True For Afghanistan And Ireland

The elevation of Afghanistan and Ireland to full-member status of the ICC OFFERS OTHER ASSOCIATE MEMBERS THE HOPE that if they continue to make progress, they too can join the elite club of countries that get to play the oldest format of the game — Test cricket.

A New League And A New Hope

Ultimate Table Tennis may have created a lot of excitement, but the league has to overcome A WHOLE LOT OF CHALLENGES if it has to reach out to the public at large.

Like Succour In The Wilderness

 The 2017 Under-17 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India, is expected to give a MUCH-NEEDED FILLIP to the sport in the country, which has forever failed to make a mark in football, even at the continental level.

IPL, a Big Hit on Social Media

Social media has played an integral part in the IPL’S GROWTH over the past 10 years and one can expect its role to grow in the coming years.

CoA Exudes Confidence

“We are expecting a BIGGER SUCCESS for the IPL this time,” says Diana Edulji, a member of the CoA.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: A Team With No Superstars But With Super Players

Sunrisers Hyderabad was the least demonstrative of the teams but emerged triumphant by playing percentage cricket, writes Vijay Lokapally.

Playing It Straight, The Mr. Cricket Way

Michael Hussey is of the view that TWENTY20 HAS IMPACTED TEST CRICKET A LOT. “In the past, a score of 250-300 on a day in a Test match was considered okay. But the scoring rate seems to be going through the roof now. But having said that, I still think there’s place for a technically correct batsman who can bat for a longer period of time,” says the former Australian batsman in a chat with AYAN ACHARYA.

When Underdogs Turned Top Dogs

We need to CELEBRATE THE TWO UNEXPECTED RESULTS in Test cricket recently — Bangladesh’s defeat of Australia and West Indies chasing down 322 runs to win the second match of the series against England. The victories should encourage the two proud cricketing nations to get even better.

PSG's Another Major Coup

Paris Saint-Germain signs teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe on a season-long loan, with the option of buying him at the end of the season. And when the option is exercised the Ligue 1 giant will acquire the 18-year-old forward on a four-year contract for a STAGGERING FEE OF €180 MILLION, which will make him the world’s second most expensive player after Neymar.

Efficacy Of 3-5-2

Carlos Bilardo, the manager of the 1986 World Cup winner Argentina, BOASTED that the 3-5-2 combination was his innovation. BRIAN GLANVILLE says this came about more as an accident rather than intent. 

Merc High On Horsepower

Lewis Hamilton had an ABSOLUTELY STELLAR WEEKEND; he was faultless all through.

Mercs Conquer Monza

The passionate Prancing Horse fans were hugely disappointed after MERCEDES DRUBBED FERRARI on its home soil. Despite Sebastian Vettel’s consolatory podium finish, beaten by half a minute, the race showed that Ferrari was just not there in the fight for the top two places.

India Needs Sports Intelligence!

Every major sporting country HAS A SYSTEM whereby they not only find talent, but also systematically develop sports intelligence. India needs to find a system of its own.

Such Enthusiasm For Sachin!

Sachin Tendulkar is among the former India skippers felicitated by the BCCI ahead of India’s 500th Test match. When his name is called out, the crowd applauds and chants the famous chant, “SACHIN, SACHIN”.

Fitness is the Key

The Indian Super League’s tight schedule demands top levels of FITNESS. The teams that cope with this well will fare better.

Sauber's Despair

“The new engines have hurt us. In 2014, our engine was way off the pace and we also did not do the best job on the cars, but last year was better. This year we could not do a good job with the car due to COMMERCIAL CONSTRAINTS,” says Monisha Kaltenborn, the CEO and team principal of Sauber. 

Australia's Tour Of India: Mother Of All Battles

Who will scale the heights in the India versus Australia Test series? As the cliche goes, only time will tell. Cricketing logic, though, might well point towards India.