Author: Boria Majumdar

Babar Azam was once compared to Virat Kohli. It was said that he was as talented as Kohli or Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. He was Pakistan’s answer to greatness. What we saw on the opening day of the Champions Trophy – the first major tournament his country has hosted since he was a toddler – was Babar’s ultimate fall from grace. Chasing 321, Babar scored 64 off 90 balls in an innings that was not just painful to watch, but also infuriating and deeply frustrating. Here was a former Pakistan skipper engaged in what, to the rest…

It was 9.30pm at Edgbaston and the presentation had just ended after a thrilling Champions Trophy final. The Indians had completed their victory lap and were gradually making it back to the confines of the dressing room. Outside, however, the party was just about to begin. As I walked out of the media gate, E3, to get to the car park and start the drive to Oxford, I was confronted by a sea of blue. It was simply an Indian takeover of Edgbaston. There was a human chain with close to 1,000 people and each of them was singing “Hum…

It was the India versus Pakistan encounter at the 2019 World Cup and I was in Manchester a couple of days ahead of the match soaking in the atmosphere and building up to the game. Curry mile, the desi hub in Manchester, was all decked up. New items on the menu in almost all of the restaurants to multiple events with cricket stars for the thousands who had trooped into to the city, this was a Manchester that had been completely Asianised. And most of the fans had flown in from India or Pakistan or the huge South Asian diasporas…

Much was said about the competence of umpire Gayathri Venugopalan. She was heavily criticised on social media for some of her decisions, with many claiming her errors cost Mumbai their opening match against Delhi. The main debate was whether a batter should be given out the moment the stumps were illuminated or only when the bails were completely dislodged. Now, the WPL authorities have clarified the ruling, and it turns out Gayathri was indeed correct. She followed the directive issued by the BCCI and match officials, which stated that a batter could only be given out when the bails were…

If there is one team whose fans can match India’s for intensity, it is Bangladesh. Their media is also an extension of the team, and will be there in numbers to support Najmul Hossain Shanto and the boys in ICC events. If Shanto’s pre-departure press conference was anything to go by, Bangladesh seems determined to make a mark and play to potential. With a pace attack that is perhaps the best they have ever had, they know they have a chance. They also know India will come hard, and in Dubai there will be a really nice build-up to the…

Sport and music are very closely connected. The rendition of the national anthem ahead of a match is key to setting the tone. You can see the players getting involved and that’s what helps the supporters to also get going. And in a multi-discipline event, the greatest moment for an athlete or a fan is to see the national flag go up during the medal ceremony and the anthem played. You ask any athlete, and he or she will tell you that listening to the national anthem is the greatest moment of their sporting life. Music is also part of…

A number of our colleagues had asked for leave on Valentine’s Day. It is but natural, and we did try and accommodate every request. As a result, some of the more senior members of the team had to work longer hours and step up. And that’s what brings me to the issue of our profession, and the rigour it entails. Stories or news don’t break at any designated time. It can happen at any time and anywhere, and it is the job of the journalist to be on guard. The BCCI, for example, sent the team announcement for the Champions…

With just over a week to go, there is a nice zing to the India-Pakistan contest. That Pakistan chased down 350 against South Africa has added to the build-up. While India go in as favourites, the absence of Jasprit Bumrah has kind of evened out the contest. No Saim Ayub means Pakistan lack firepower at the top of the order, and with Bumrah ruled out, India have been dealt an even bigger blow. Given that the contest is in Dubai, Pakistan will enjoy significant support. Any other country, and the crowd would have been a sea of blue. We…

Mumbai are gearing up for their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Vidarbha in Nagpur, starting on February 17. Throughout this season, one of the standout players for the defending champions has been Shardul Thakur. Whether with the bat or ball, he has delivered, smashing centuries, picking up hat-tricks, and taking six-wicket hauls. In the quarter-final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Mumbai defeated Haryana, with Shardul picking up nine wickets in the game. After that thumping win, Shardul opened up about his comeback, this Ranji season, his focus on the England tour, disappointment at not being in the IPL, and…

India are Champions Trophy-ready. Almost every batter has scored, while the bowling, which in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah is a worry, has also done well in the 3-0 whitewash of England. The smiles at the end of the series said it all. It seemed that the doom and gloom of Australia was finally past. The coach and captain are both on the same page and, in every sense, things looked good as the team gets ready to travel to Dubai. While India went in with KL Rahul for the third consecutive game, it meant leaving Rishabh Pant on the…