Author: Boria Majumdar

If you are driving around England, the one constant companion in cars is the inbuilt technical support system that warns you of speed cameras and speed limits. “Speed cameras in 100 yards” is something I have now heard a few thousand times already! While it is frustrating on occasions and interrupts conversations, may I say, it is essential. None other than Sachin Tendulkar had learned it the hard way back in 1992, on his way to Leeds from Newcastle. It is one of my favourite Sachin stories, and it is best to narrate it in his words. “After the match…

Boria Majumdar in Leeds As reported by RevSportz on June 7, there is now confirmation that the Pataudi name will continue to be associated with the England versus India series, with the winning captain to be awarded the Pataudi Medal for Excellence. From what we understand, this has the consent of the Pataudi family. Also, Sachin Tendulkar and Jay Shah played a key role behind the scenes to make this possible and spoke not just to the family but also the two cricket boards, convincing them to do the needful. On the other hand, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be…

As you reach Leeds, you feel the temperature drop a couple of notches below that in London. There is a certain quiet about the place, and even the malls aren’t really crowded. It is a cold welcome of sorts. On the 20th, it is this challenge that awaits India. The pitch curator, in an exclusive chat with RevSportz, has already sounded the bugle, saying it will be a green wicket and batting will be challenging. In all of this, the Indian batters can surely look back to 2002 and seek inspiration. The new millennium had brought new promise, and in…

It has been a very special build-up on RevSportz so far. The reception in the national and regional media stands testimony to that. Almost all our interviews have made news and created headlines. With the series now on us, it makes sense to do the build-up conclave on Monday, June 16. A day full of exclusive interviews and stories on all RevSportz platforms. We will start the day with an interview with Kuldeep Yadav. Many, including former Australian greats like Matt Hayden and Michael Clarke – not to forget Brad Hogg – have talked up Kuldeep as a possible X-factor…

By Boria Majumdar As Sania Mirza settles into a commentary career, the belief is firmed up that we won’t ever have another like her. She was much like Aamir Khan’s character in Three Idiots — a once in a lifetime phenomenon, who came as a breath of fresh air, for Indian tennis. And that’s what begs the question: ‘How did Sania happen?’ More questions follow. ‘What made Sania the Sania?’; ‘How could a middle-class family from Hyderabad with no background in elite sport produce a champion?’; ‘What’s the back-story?’; ‘How did Imran Mirza help Sania become what she is?’…

Boria Majumdar In a storied career where he was part of two 5-0 Ashes sweeps and two World Cup wins – including as captain in 2015 – Michael Clarke never managed to win a Test series in England. That alone should illustrate the enormity of the challenge that faces Shubman Gill and his relatively inexperienced squad over the next six weeks. But, as he told Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, Clarke also saw plenty of reasons for India to be optimistic – whether it be Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist-spin, the overall attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, or the new leadership team…

Boria Majumdar South Africa still needed 10 runs to win the game, and Debasis Sen and I had just managed to set up our live stream outside the Grace Gates at Lord’s. It was a historic moment for the world game, and more so for South Africa. The mighty Australians were about to be humbled, and South African cricket was about to usher in a new dawn in the history of their nation’s sport. That was when it happened. A supporter wearing a South African jersey ran to us saying, “Robin Petersen is a friend of mine. I know a…

Boria Majumdar When R Ashwin called it quits midway through the tour of Australia last December, India didn’t just lose a bowler who had taken 537 wickets in just 106 Tests – second only to Anil Kumble (619) among Indians. They also lost someone with 3,503 Test runs and six centuries. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also having announced their Test retirements since, it’s very much a new-look side that will take on England in five Tests starting June 20. In this exclusive interview with Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, Ashwin assesses the captaincy challenge facing Shubman Gill, explains why…

Ravichandran Ashwin and I have always shared an excellent rapport. We have the friendship to discuss and debate contentious issues, even if we don’t agree on certain things. And that’s the best part of a conversation with Ashwin. This was yet again on show when we spoke about the England-India series. Midway through the conversation, I broached the topic of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not being there. I also said that Virat would be missed more because he was an ambassador for the format. He had always prioritised Test cricket, and that will now have to be done by…

Ravichandran Ashwin has always been a great talker. He digs deep, tries to understand the game, and then comments on it. Now, as one foraying into the media space, he has already build up a significant fan following with his analysis. The best part about Ashwin is that he speaks his mind, and that’s what sets him apart. This is what was on show when we did this interview to try and set up the England-India series. While the transcript of the interview will be up on the RevSportz site soon, let me focus on just one aspect here, for…