Author: Bharath Ramaraj

The year was 2010. And the month was February. By then, Google had already become the go-to search engine to keep abreast with everything that was happening in the world. As an ardent tennis fan, while scrolling through news items related to Singles, something else caught the attention of this writer: Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi had just won the doubles tournament in South Africa, which turned out to be the duo’s maiden ATP title. At that time, it seemed like a bit of irrelevant information. But the gentle giant from Bengaluru has been a picture of endurance and grit.…

Day Three of the first Test between England and India in Hyderabad turned out to be a keen tussle between the bat and ball as the visitors clawed their way back into the game. Ollie Pope (148 not out) was the cornerstone of England’s efforts as they ended up on 316 for 6, in front by 126 runs. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was the best bowler on show for the home team, taking a couple of scalps. England had started the morning session well, cleaning up India’s lower order quickly. Joe Root, who got enough deliveries to turn at pace, was…

Yashasvi Jaiswal (76 not out) and the spinners helped India gain control of proceedings on the opening day of the first Test against England in Hyderabad. The hosts were 119 for 1, trailing by 127 runs at close of play. For England, Ben Stokes composed a valiant 70. The only time England seemed to have the upper hand was when they started well against the seamers in the morning session. After England aptly opted to bat, Zak Cralwey and Ben Duckett shared an enterprising opening stand of 55. However, in helpful conditions for spin bowling, it was always going to…

Over the last decade, for a visiting side, partaking in a Test series in India has seemed like navigating through a maze of never-to-be-solved jigsaw puzzle. So, can the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes-led England set-up usurp India in the forthcoming five-match Test series, starting in Hyderabad on January 25? What are the essential features of a successful template in such conditions? Let’s take a bird’s eye view on the blueprint required to win a Test rubber in India. Finger spin/left-arm spin in demand A couple of decades ago, left-arm spinners were regarded as more of a defensive option in…

There was something different about Harry Brook’s hundred in an Under-19 World Cup game against Bangladesh in 2017-18. Unlike some of his teammates, he was looking to play against the turn while facing Bangladesh’s spin trio. That sense of adventurism has been clearly evident right through his short Test career. Brook has already aggregated 1181 Test runs at an astounding average of 62.15 and strike rate of 91.76. In that backdrop, it is a blow to the England management that Brook has withdrawn from the forthcoming Test series against India due to personal reasons. So, in an imaginary sense, how…

India’s opening fixture of their Ranchi leg of the FIH Women’s Hockey Qualifiers against the United States of America was scheduled to start at 7.30 PM on Friday (January 13). A little more than three and a half hours before the match, this writer booked an auto to make it to the stadium. The plan was to talk to the fans outside the ground, in order to get a sense of the frenzied atmosphere. However, I was in a state of shock when I arrived at the Hockey Stadium. All that I could notice was a sea of policemen patrolling…

As the dejected Indian players made their way out of the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, the journalists were geared up to ask a volley of tough questions. Some of them were about the penalty corners missed. One of the few Indian players, who stopped by to take questions was Deepika, India’s drag-flicker. There were tears in her eyes, as she mumbled some incoherent words before disappearing into the players’ room. That little conversation capsulised India’s sorry tale against Japan as they failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics from the FIH Olympic Qualifiers.…

If you didn’t witness it, you perhaps would dismiss the humdinger between India and Germany in the semi-final of the FIH Women’s Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi as some sort of a fairy tale. But in reality, it actually happened. The two sides kept flirting with the word ‘impossible’ to leave everyone at the ground amazed. How could a match oscillate back and forth on some many occasions? Germany bounced back from 0-1 down to take a 2-1 lead. India then equalised at the back-end of the fourth quarter. In the subsequent penalty shootout, India had found themselves ahead at…

On a pleasant Wednesday evening, all one could hear was the echo of the ball hitting the back of the net at the hockey stadium in Ranchi. Only a few of the USA’s players had come for practice ahead of their Olympic Qualifier semi-final against Japan. The volunteers were moving around, providing finishing touches to the arrangements. In a matter of a few hours, you expect the stadium to turn into a hub of cut-and-thrust activity, especially in the backdrop of India clashing against Germany in the other semi-final. The big incentive for the four teams is booking a place…

Just a simple Google search for Diamond gives you the following description, “It is one of the most admired stones on the planet Earth and has been one of the most sought-after jewels for thousands of years.” For the Indian women’s hockey team, that is currently partaking in the Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi, the word is as precious but in a different sense. India’s diamond-shaped formation worked wonders against New Zealand and Italy, as they won both matches to book their place in the semi-finals. The home team also moved one step closer to qualifying for the Paris Olympics. The…