Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai
The Asia Cup 2025 was a test of resilience, discipline, and passion, not just for the cricketers, but for me as a reporter on the ground for RevSportz. Every day was a 12-hour marathon stitched together by micro-planning, relentless hustle, and a constant readiness to pounce on stories as they unfolded.
My day often began at six with a cup of strong coffee, scanning through news wires, social media chatter, and WhatsApp groups that hummed with speculation. The politically charged atmosphere of this tournament meant that nothing could be taken for granted. Press conferences were rescheduled without notice, team buses got delayed, and a sudden social media post could derail a day’s plan if not anticipated.
When I signed up for this assignment, I had no idea what to expect. I was naïve to the point of imagining this to be a free pass to watch every match at the press box. Little did I know that my world would be turned upside down. We worked as a three-member team that included Boria Majumdar and Gargi Raut. My house became a den for ideation, a studio for shoots, a club to crack jokes and a cafeteria to have ginger saffron tea and snacks. We would meet at 3 pm and go live for the afternoon show at 3.30 pm.
Figuring out what was the trending news for each show, ensuring the thumbnail graphic was in place for this and then figuring out the lighting, link and framing was all par for the course. Taking on the comments from fans and viewers was very engaging and a lot of fun. We worked as a team, sharing responsibilities and mixed it up with a little bit of banter.
Every moment on the ground was a potential headline. A passing comment from a team official, a stray tweet from a player, action from the practice sessions at the ICC Academy all needed to be tracked, verified, and contextualised. I learned quickly that dogged determination wasn’t a choice but a requirement. Missing even one angle meant letting down not just the newsroom, but the fans who expected RevSportz to be first and sharpest.
The social media battlefield was its own challenge. Posts flew at the speed of light, narratives shifted within minutes, and the temptation to react instantly was immense. I had to resist. Staying calm, double-checking facts, and holding back from sensationalism became my survival code.
If the day behind the scenes was hectic, the moment in front of the camera demanded poise. After hours of chasing, cross-checking, and negotiating access, I had to switch gears, face the lens, and deliver with clarity and calm. No fatigue, no fluster could show. My role was to be the viewer’s steady voice in a sea of noise. Standing under glaring floodlights, sweat dripping, sometimes battling background chaos of fans or officials, I learned to channel all the energy into focus.
For all its grind, this journey was also exhilarating. To be in the thick of a tournament that carried not just cricketing but political and cultural weight was a privilege. The highlight, the cherry on the cake, came at 3 am. at the Taj Dubai. After India’s historic win over Pakistan, when most of the city slept, I sat across India’s skipper Surya Kumar Yadav. The adrenaline was still high, his words carried the glow of triumph, and I watched Boria conducting an impeccable interview.
That night summed up everything this journey meant…planning, persistence, patience, and then, when the chance arrived, grabbing it with both hands. Reporting the Asia Cup wasn’t just about covering a tournament; it was about living the heartbeat of the game.
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