Author: Bharath Ramaraj

Bharath in Bengaluru Flashbacks stored in the suburbs of the memory bank are always waiting for their opportunity to emerge. While watching Mohammed Shami’s laboured first two overs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game between Bengal and Baroda, one couldn’t help but spool back in time to when Shami charged to the crease like a gazelle and powered through it akin to a cheetah. The memories were from the 2023 World Cup, where he finished with 24 wickets at an astounding average of just over 10. The two versions of Shami were vastly different. The veteran fast bowler, who…

It was Day 3 of the Senior Wrestling National Championships in Koramangala, Bengaluru. As the clock struck 2:30 PM, Jugnu Bhardwaj was taking on Bhavika Patel in the 55kg bronze medal match. It seemed like a keen tussle before Bhavika from Gujarat usurped her competitor by a margin of 3-1. There was a sense of happiness in the eyes of the victor, Bhavika. The focus then zoomed in on Jugnu, the vanquished. As soon as Jugnu lost, the Bihar wrestler couldn’t control her emotions. Even when she stepped out of the squared circle, tears gushed forth like a…

The experienced Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami has played eight domestic games since his return from a serious ankle injury. But there is more to Shami’s return than him just playing domestic matches. A few days after Shami bowled four overs versus Rajasthan, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, India slipped to an ignominious defeat against Australia in Adelaide. Not surprisingly, the fans are now clamouring for Shami to be on a flight to Australia as soon as possible. However, at 34, Shami isn’t getting any younger. And he has had a couple of setbacks on his path to recovery.…

In the 18th over of India’s second innings of the Adelaide Test against Australia, two small events told you something about Rohit Sharma’s current mindset. He was adjudged LBW, only for the umpire to reverse the decision as Mitchell Starc had overstepped. Incidentally, Rohit had also eked out an inside edge. A couple of deliveries later, he tried an airy-fairy waft to an away-going wobble-seamer. Just pore through the replays for those two offerings, and they suggested that Rohit was a fraction late on both occasions. An indicator that he was struggling to pick up key cues against pace bowling.…

At around 4 PM on December 6, the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru was abuzz with activity. The semifinals of various men’s wrestling categories at the National Wrestling Championships were in progress. Amid the action, Karnataka State Wrestling Association’s president, B Gunaranjan Shetty, visited the media box, personally asking journalists about the quality of lunch served. “Bekhadra coffee, tea togoli (if needed, please take coffee or tea),” he quipped light-heartedly, even mentioning serving badam milk to dignitaries. This small gesture reflected the attention to detail and hospitality with which Day 1 of the championships was organized. To be fair, the…

The Bengal-Andhra Ranji Trophy game in 2019-20 was ruined by rain. But the little bit of action that took place was enough to gauge the skills of a 23-year-old pace bowler. Akash Deep, a promising cricketer, bowled zestful spells. More importantly, he put on a fine exhibition of his different weapons in those few spells. As Hanuma Vihari, Andhra’s captain, faced up to Deep, the first point to observe was the skiddy nature of his bowling. And he blended it with zooming almost everything at the stumps on a wicket that was staying low. These two traits seemed to definitely…

The only thought that flashes in the mind while envisaging Luvnith Sisodia’s cricketing skills is loads of talent. Unfortunately, fate hasn’t exactly been kind to him. For one reason or the other, the dashing left-hand wicketkeeper-batter has had to forgo opportunities that came his way. Last week, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 30 lakhs in the 2025 IPL Auction. As a result, he will now get a chance to ply his trade at a ground where a fluffed chance resulted in him being dropped from the state side. Perhaps, the stars have started to align for…

Transcripts relate to the conversation between the interviewee and interviewer. But with Anneke Bosch, the South African cricketer, it feels as if something intangible can be added – her candidness and simplicity. The first bits of Bosch’s reply to a query about her memories from childhood days is an indicator of it. Bosch ended up recounting a memory that turned out to be a harrowing experience for her. “My dad (Pethrow Bosch) passed away about 10 years ago, so every time I go on to a cricket field, I think about special memories. Actually, there is one bad memory,” she…

The confusion surrounding where the Men’s Champions Trophy will be held continues, with the adjournment of the crucial ICC Board meeting. The ICC Board will reconvene in the next few days in order to find a favourable outcome. Representatives of all members of the board – 12 full members and three directors from the Associate nations – participated in the virtual meeting. Despite the 20-minute virtual meeting being adjourned for a later date, the ICC is hopeful of coming out with a solution to the vexing issue. Pakistan are slated to host the event in February and March next…

Alex Carey was the last wicket to fall in the Perth Test as Australia crashed to an ignominious defeat in conditions that were set to suit them. On expected lines, there was jubilation in the Indian camp. It was a clinical and memorable performance from the visiting side. Meanwhile, there were some glum faces in the Australian set-up. The embarrassing defeat just accentuated the question marks surrounding the aging Australian side, especially in the batting department. Just a glimpse at some of the averages of the current set of Australian batters tell a story. Since the start of 2023 Ashes,…