Author: Ashok Namboodiri

Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai There are cricket matches, and then there is India vs Pakistan. A fixture that doesn’t just light up stadiums – it sets off tremors across continents. The rivalry is not merely sport; it’s history, theatre, and spectacle compressed into one. And with that spectacle comes a pressure-cooker of expectations for every stakeholder in the ecosystem. Imagine what happens when you have two such showdowns in the space of a week. The tension is palpable here in Dubai, and the stakes have just gone up exponentially with the drama that has unfolded outside the pitch. We were…

Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai Cricket has always reserved its greatest affection for players who do the improbable. For Afghanistan, a nation that only gained Test status in 2017, the improbable has been personified by Rashid Khan. At just 26, Rashid is already a global superstar, his name whispered with awe in commentary boxes from Melbourne to Mumbai. His artistry with the ball is matched by numbers that are staggering in their consistency, and his journey mirrors the rise of Afghanistan itself on the cricketing stage. Since making his debut in 2015, Rashid has confounded batters with his rapid leg-breaks and…

The Revsportz team finished yet aother gruelling day of daily shows and detailed planning for the rest of the Asia Cup 2025 and then braved peak Dubai traffic to head to the press conference, and then the ICC Academy. The Indian team had an optional practice session and they spent the evening imbibing the quiet confidence that the players brought to the session. The eveing turned pleasant as the sun set and a gentle breeze made us contemplate on the events of the last few days. The crack of bat on ball was accompanied by laughter, smiles and a sense…

The no handshake saga was so far about Pakistan lodging a protest. The delayed match arrival for the match against UAE, however, is tantamount to abject brinksmanship and does not augur well for Pakistan’s credibility and sets dangerous precedents. For Pakistan, this is clear erosion of credibility with short and medium-term impact that will have far reaching consequences. Over the past week, Pakistan have found itself at the centre of two flashpoints — the absence of handshakes after their defeat to India, resuting in them representing to the ICC for removal of the match refree ( Andy Pycroft) and the…

“I am a classic concoction of method, skill and madness” says the background of his YouTube channel and that is what he is all about. In a sport often obsessed with repetition, rhythm, and ritual, R Ashwin belongs to that rare breed of cricketers who are original thinkers. He is not just a bowler who turned his wrist a certain way to claim 500-plus Test wickets; he is a craftsman who has spent his career questioning convention, reimagining angles, and inviting both applause and argument. On his 39th birthday, we not only celebrate a world-class spinner we salute one of…

Ashok Namboodiri The first ball dispatched to cover for four was about timing and confidence. The second one was a six over long-on. It was about intent and control. The Indian team went out in the game against Pakistan not to negotiate but to dominate. And making that statement was Abhishek Sharma, the “Gen Z cricketer” — unafraid, expressive and keen to make every moment count. For Pakistan, who were counting on early wickets and discipline, this was a psychological blow of mammoth proportions. For years, Indian cricket oscillated between cautious starts and power-packed finishes. Think about the World Cup…

I had a difficult time keepng abreast of the EPL Matchday 4 with the stories unfloding at the India-Pakistan showdown at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Even as Pakistan caved in to a humbing defeat on Sunday night, I received a message on a WhatsApp group that read: “Worried about life? Imagine the plight of a Man U fan in Pakistan!” That message got me going and I caught up with all the action at the EPL this week. The Premier League’s fourth weekend reinforced old truths and unveiled fresh storylines. The heavyweights flexed their muscles, some challengers stumbled,…

Ashok Namboodiri In the face of boycott chatter and geopolitical tension, India’s handling of the Asia Cup 2025 clash with Pakistan offered a masterclass in leadership, composure, and empathy. When India and Pakistan squared off in Dubai, the stakes were higher than ever. This was not simply a cricket match but an encounter framed by tragedy and tension. The Pahalgam attack had shaken the country, leaving scars that were raw and painful. In the aftermath, voices in India clamoured for a boycott of the game. Politicians, commentators, and fans debated endlessly. To play or not to play became the dominant…

Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai Few events in world sport carry the anticipation, tension, and sheer theatre of an India-Pakistan cricket match. Today’s Asia Cup 2025 clash is not just another fixture in a tournament schedule; it is a destiny-defining occasion. For the players, it represents a rare opportunity to etch their names in cricket’s folklore, to move from promising performers to enduring icons. This is a contest that transcends boundaries and statistics. For fans in India, the match is more than a game – it is a surge of pride, passion, and identity. The geopolitical undertones add further weight, but…

September 13 marks what would have been Shane Warne’s 56th birthday. For the cricket world, and especially for India, it is a poignant reminder of the magician who turned leg-spin into theatre. Few cricketers transcend the sport to become folklore, and Warne was one of them. His story in India was never just about wickets, flippers, or the “Ball of the Century”. It was about charisma, rivalry, and a bond that went far deeper than numbers. India shaped Warne, and Warne shaped Indian cricket in return. His Test debut against India in 1992 was a baptism of fire, as Ravi…