Author: Boria Majumdar

Gostha Pal, aged 16, made his official debut for Mohun Bagan against Blackwatch in the Calcutta Football League. Picked as a replacement for Reverend Sudhir Chatterjee, Gostha, immortalised as one of the best players ever to play for the club, had not done well in the practice game against Dalhousie. In fact, he was a disaster on the slushy ground, allowing the strikers to score two goals past him. On this fateful day a century earlier, Pal came to the club with the knowledge that he wouldn’t play. However, two individuals had other ideas. Much to Pal’s amazement, Rajen Sen…

India’s selection meetings over the years have indeed thrown up some rather strange choices. Yesterday’s gathering was yet another one, which left many questions unanswered. And much like I had written straight after the meeting, my key takeaway was the omission of Shreyas Iyer. When I try to wrap my head around it, the only explanation that comes to mind is that the selectors did not want to include Shreyas in the standbys because he is a senior pro. They did not want to seem disrespectful, or maybe he is being looked at for ODIs and also red-ball cricket. But,…

Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, said that Shreyas Iyer has done nothing wrong while addressing the media, adding that they could only pick 15. Fair point. I don’t have a single problem with the 15 that they have picked. But then, he went on to announce five standbys, and that included a third wicketkeeper in Dhruv Jurel. In all honesty, I can’t get my head around the inclusion of a third wicketkeeper for a three-week-long tournament, at the expense of Shreyas, who is one of the very best we have. The truth is that more than Shubman Gill’s return…

Finally, it’s selection day. If the selectors pick a 17-member squad, and they certainly can going by ACC rules, all debates can be put to rest. Almost all the players who deserve a look in will make it to the squad, and there will be no heartburn. On the contrary, if it is a 15-member squad that is picked, things could get heated and some deserving players will have to miss out. And the only thing that will decide this is the approach the selectors opt to take. Will the committee and the team management opt for continuity, or will…

Boria Majumdar There was a time about three years ago when Varun Chakaravarthy seemed to have reached the end of the road. A wicket-less T20 World Cup in Dubai was followed by a disastrous IPL season in 2022, when he managed to take just six wickets. But instead of throwing in the towel, Varun went back to the drawing board and returned a better bowler. In the last three IPL seasons, he has taken 58 wickets, contributing hugely to KKR’s title win in 2024. In this exclusive interview with Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, Varun talks of what he learned from…

Indian football is at a standstill. The craze for the Derby notwithstanding, things aren’t good with the sport. National team players are forced to tweet national camp photos to try and emphasise that not all is lost. We need a speedy resolution of the crisis so that the ISL can happen. There was a glimmer of hope with the AIFF planning to mention the matter before the Supreme Court at 1030am this morning. In fact, emails were sent to the effect and the Amicus informed as well. Thereafter something happened and the plan was scuttled. “I’d really like to know…

Writing about the RevSportz journey is always a matter of great pride. In under four years, we have emerged as one of India’s best sports platforms. We do multi-sport coverage with pride, and will continue to do so. The truth is, it hasn’t been easy. Negotiating an unfair personal ban added to the challenges. But then, challenges bring the best out of a person and if you are true to your conscience, all the more so. Even during the ban, not one of our investors walked out and only one of the 15 brands who backed us decided to part…

I don’t do much news these days. With the every-day management of RevSportz taking priority, completing the studio and the next round of fund-raising, it is impossible to do the daily grind of news. Also, we have a very good team of reporters in Subhayan, Rohit, Shamik and others. Having said that, I have done a few pieces over the last few days based on conversations I had. Each piece was a revelation, and resulted in multiple conspiracy theories floating around. Shubman Gill: I had written some basic facts. That Gill is a fantastic all-format player and yet his Asia…

Boria Majumdar In his comeback series in England, Shardul Thakur played in the defeat in Leeds, and the dramatic draw in Manchester. He made just 46 runs and took 2-144 across the two games. But just being back in the fold at the age of 33 felt like a victory of sorts. In this exclusive chat with Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, Shardul spoke of his return to the Test side, the influence of Gautam Gambhir, and how a young side just refused to be beaten. Boria: Give us a bit on your training schedule, and your constant commitment towards it.…

Vice-captaincy isn’t really relevant to the Asia Cup selection meeting. There has been much talk about vice-captaincy in recent times. Shubman Gill as possible vice-captain for the Asia Cup is something that has been doing the rounds. The truth is that vice-captaincy isn’t something that is very relevant to the selection meeting. Gill as player will indeed be discussed, and a call taken. It is equally true that his inclusion or non-inclusion will not depend on him being a possible vice-captaincy option. Gill has already proved that he is captaincy material in Test cricket. Vice-captaincy isn’t going to tilt the…