Author: Boria Majumdar

We now know that victory alone may not be enough. In fact, it is more than likely that India will return home on Monday. And yet, a win is all that we need. It is essential for the future of the women’s game. To be able to say that it was one bad game against New Zealand that cost India, and that the team responded by beating the best in the world in Australia. We will indeed lament the lack of intent against Pakistan, and argue that the approach cost us dear. But all that is for later. For the…

There are less than 36 hours to go before India take the field against Australia for their all-important T20 World Cup game. It is clearly one of the most significant matches the team will play, and nothing but a win will suffice. And the two players who will have to lead from the front and take responsibility are Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. Both played well against Sri Lanka and found form. But then, that was Sri Lanka. There is a massive difference between them and Australia, and both women will have to be at their best to make a…

Everything that could come good for India did so against Sri Lanka. A superb start followed by a brilliant effort from the skipper, a decent cameo from Jemimah Rodrigues and then a fantastic bowling and, more importantly, fielding effort. By winning as they did, India also got their net run rate (NRR) back on track. But the question is, will it be enough? Can we now say that India have managed to reopen the semi-final doors after two underwhelming games in Dubai, or is that premature? First, New Zealand have two games left. Their final match is on Monday, October…

It was back in 2015 that I asked Rafael Nadal this. “You have been plagued by many injuries in recent times. Have you ever thought that had it not been for injuries, where you would be today? Perhaps a few more Grand Slams, perhaps a higher ranking?” His answer was straight up and candid. “Injuries are part and parcel of a sportsman’s life,” he said. “They will happen. Having said that, I don’t always think about them or about what could have been. It doesn’t work like that. I have missed key tournaments because of injuries this year, but…

Mental Health. Much talked about, but really not well understood. Never really debated. And still not taken seriously. As if it isn’t normal to really deep dive into a discussion on the subject. I can have fever, and it’s okay. I can have pain. But the moment I have a mental-health issue, I am not okay. I am weak, and maybe not good enough. How can someone mentally fragile play sport, and how can he or she be successful? Also, you have to win, for otherwise you aren’t any good. It is a straightforward transaction – win and you are…

Taskin Ahmed tried to bounce out Hardik Pandya. All he did was rock back, and get the bat close enough to the ball to give it the momentum to take it over and above the wicketkeeper for a boundary. And as he did so, he did not even look back to see where the ball had gone. Rather, he was focussed on chewing gum, and he kept doing so till Taskin walked back to his mark with a wry smile on his face. It was typical Hardik Pandya. Swagger of a very different kind. His 39 off 16 balls meant…

For the longest time, the murmurs were heard. And yet, there was a veneer of objectivity and rationality. Somewhere, there was still the notion that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), as a parent body, was objective. Not anymore. Not after it unilaterally announced that Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) had apparently withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two because they hadn’t traveled to Iran. The AFC did so ignoring a Government of India advisory dated October 2, which asked Indians to avoid non-essential travel to Iran given the geopolitical conditions prevalent there. Iran is currently a war zone and the…

Pakistan’s cricket teams, both men and women, are equally poor at the moment. And it is a real problem for the world game. The sport needs a strong Pakistan and, for the moment at least, we don’t have that. The win against Sri Lanka to start the Women’s T20 World Cup campaign was an aberration and, against India, the mediocrity of the side was yet again apparent. India made Pakistan look good at times, and were poor as well. For the India-Pakistan contests to retain their charm, we need a better Pakistan. The cricket world needs a team which is…

Ravi Shastri has often been criticised on social media. Trolled as well. But never did he shy away from responsibility. I remember him telling me once that in adverse situations, it is important that the coach takes over and shields his or her players. Face the bullets coming at them. When India were all out for 36 against Australia in Adelaide (2020), it was Shastri who faced the media. Handled the questions head on and protected the boys. It helped make a statement. To be honest, I expected the same from Amol Muzumdar in Dubai at the end of the…

This is not a rant. Rather, it is a lament. India were poor last night. Absolutely awful. And because of that, they have now pushed themselves to the brink of being eliminated in the group stage of the T20 World Cup. Everything that could go wrong did. The truth is India did not deserve to win. Not when you make such basic mistakes, and play such pathetic cricket. Let’s start from the top. The fielding from the very beginning was shambolic. From Richa Ghosh making a mess of a reasonably easy chance, to Renuka Thakur conceding a boundary, India were…