'Europe Can Buy Players, But They Cannot Buy Style'

Carlos Valderrama retired 15 years ago, but still RETAINS THE SPIRIT and the zest for the game that typified his image as a player. The Colombian talks to AMITABHA DAS SHARMA about football evolution.

Raising The Roof, IPL Style!

Raising The Roof, IPL Style!

One Disappointment after another

The journey of a few Indian athletes — SOME OF THEM STRONG MEDAL CONTENDERS — came to a premature end. We take a look at India’s performance in Rio over the first two days of competition.

Rafael... From Rags To Riches!

Rafaela Silva HELPED BRAZIL FEEL ECSTATIC when she won the gold in judo in the women’s 57 kg category. It also brought hope to the deprived of Brazil; Rafaela, a victim of racism, had grown up in the infamous City of God slum.

'A Coach Should Be A Friend'

“Test cricket has always remained the same, but the batsmen’s thinking has changed because of a lot of Twenty20 cricket. Now they take more risks in Test matches,” says Virender Sehwag in a chat with Sudatta Mukherjee.

A Challenge For Kumble And Kohli!

Virat Kohli’s men triumphed in the Test series in Sri Lanka against a rebuilding host last season, but West Indies in its backyard could prove a Tougher Adversary.

Jumbo In The Spotlight

The India versus West Indies series promises to be a fascinating one and a Fantastic Opportunity for Anil Kumble to settle into his new job as the head coach of the Indian team.

Where is Paul Pogba going?

The Juventus midfielder (in pic) is reportedly in the middle of a Bidding Tug-Of-War between Real Madrid and Manchester United, with the fee mooted to be in the region of an eye-watering GBP 100 million. While Pogba might be dominating the tabloids, some players have already made their moves, while others are still available in the market, writes Amrit Ramakrishnan

Hoping for the best after conquering hope

Now that Vijender Singh has won the WBO Asia Pacific super middleweight title, he has to Feature in a fight every 120 days and box against a mandatory challenger once a year to retain his crown. He can even challenge any title-holder if he aspires for bigger glory, writes Y. B. Sarangi.

At Ease On Grass

The victory against Korea in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie has been attributed to India’s Expertise of playing on the grass court. “Had it not been for grass, we may not have been 2-0 up on the opening day,” contends India’s nonplaying captain Anand Amritraj.

When India Ruled Hockey

While participation at The Games has been hailed in itself as assuring an athlete a place in the sporting pantheon, there are some nations that have Raised The Bar with their dominance of certain sporting disciplines over the years.

Clash of the Managers

The arrival of Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Manchester United) and Antoine Conte (Chelsea) has once again proved the Premier League’s ability to Attract The Best Talent to the British Isles. The three managers join a growing list of astute tacticians and it is an exciting prospect to see them engage in battle in the coming season.

A hurdle that encourages world records!

In Barcelona, Kevin Young clocked 46.78s to set a World record. Moses had set the previous record at 47.02s in Koblenz, Germany, in 1983. Between 1968 and 1992 four of the seven finals in the 400m hurdles produced World records.

Resilience is her Middle Name

Sakshi Malik’s performance in Rio was all about TREMENDOUS FIGHTBACKS, including the bronze medal match against the Asian champion, Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan. It reminded one of a lesser-known Sushil Kumar’s bronze medal-winning effort in Beijing 2008.

Sindhu, Sakshi and the lessons they have taught

The dust has settled in Rio and now we need to learn about MOVING FORWARD AND CONSTANTLY IMPROVING. I am worried that we will raise a toast to these wonderful women athletes and then forget about them and their hard work. That should not happen.

Rio 2016- Some Late Cheer for India

It is worth remembering that India had sent its biggest ever contingent, comprising 119 athletes, to the Olympics and had hoped to better the medal record of the London Games. The athletes, however, failed to deliver with the country winning only two medals and finishing 67th.

DRS- The Right And The Wrong Of It!

After the controversial DRS incident involving Australian captain Steve Smith in the Bengaluru Test, about which Indian skipper Virat Kohli had a lot to say, the BCCI and Cricket Australia backed their captains and later smoked the peace pipe. But what was inexplicable was the ICC’s refusal to punish a blatant error made by Smith. Truth be told, he got away lighty.

Deportivo Brings Barca Back to Earth

After a remarkable come-from-behind VICTORY against PSG in the Champions League recently, Barcelona hits the nadir, losing to Deportivo la Coruna in a La Liga match.

Among Britain's Most Heralded Racers

“As long as I can remember, speed and machines have been a part of me,” said JOHN SURTEES, who won seven world motorcycle championships, then switched to auto racing and captured the 1964 Formula One points title. Surtees passed away on March 10.

Indian Badminton and the 'S' Factor

There is no denying the fact that it will take a few more years before India’s talent in all three doubles events begins to show results. Till then SINDHU IS SEEN AS THE LONE FLAG-BEARER, not to forget a fiercely-determined Saina’s efforts to be back to winning tournaments. The growing Sindhu-Saina rivalry is also here to stay. No quarter given, none asked for. 

'Defeating Marin Is Special'

“There is no way I can afford to relax after WINNING A MAJOR TOURNAMENT, given the fact that there is very little gap between the top 10 woman badminton players in the world,” says Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, the winner of the India Open. 

Singing Paeans to Sindhu

“Sindhu is a HUGE INSPIRATION for all the young trainees at the academy. Just hope a couple of more Sindhus will emerge,” says Pullela Gopi Chand.

The Leander-Mahesh Breakthrough!

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were the first Indian to bag a senior Wimbledon trophy. This came about in 1999 through the men’s doubles event. Many other doubles accolades have followed.

No Gold For Portugal, But Two For Ronaldo

From RONALDO’S TWINS to Tim Cahill’s ton, Sportstar takes a look at the latest stories from the recently concluded Confederations Cup.

The German War Machines

A tough Chile side tried to intimidate the Germans in a forceful South American style not often seen in Europe. GERMANY STOOD UP to the test, defending an early lead for a bruising 1-0 win to accelerate its education ahead of its World Cup title defence.

Time's Up For The Showman

“The BOTHAM PHENOMENON has been detailed too often for me to need repeat it at all. Let me just skim across the surface of a career that had so much depth as well as so much breadth,” says TED CORBETT, in his appreciation of Ian Terrance Botham.

Making Sense Of ‘Bat Sense'

The latest technological tool to enter cricket could provide ANSWERS PERTAINING TO TECHNIQUE to a legion of cricketers, writes N. SUDARSHAN.

The Beginning Of A New Rivalry

While the Formula One fans eagerly want to see drivers banging wheels, the clash involving Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in Baku was extraordinary because it happened under safety car conditions. The rivalry between the two, however, has WELL AND TRULY BEEN IGNITED, writes S. DIPAK RAGAV.

A Supercharged Chess Battery!

Since July 1991, Viswanathan Anand Remained in the Top-10 List Till February 2016 — for 296 Months in Succession! And What More, After a Minor Glitch Lasting Four Months, Anand Has Returned to the Top-10 List for the Past Year! .

How To Revive Test Cricket!

The two-tier plan to bring interest back to Test cricket will certainly galvanise the Intercontinental Cup (the first class tournament for non-Test countries), but it needs more work to ensure that the structure of Test cricket is not altered to fit a marketing plan that might not make the slightest difference.