Author: Boria Majumdar

Cricket, it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest, was and is the true national game in both India and Australia. This is precisely because it could be played against the English as part of the great imperial project. Hockey in India or Aussie Rules in Australia could not, and hence their legacies, like their origins, remain very curious in the sporting hierarchies of the two countries. More recently, however, the India-Australia rivalry has gathered steam with Australia gradually becoming the new Pakistan as far as Indian cricket fans are concerned. This works well for us in India. With bilateral series against…

He played a stellar role in India’s wins Down Under in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Recognised as one of India’s best bowling coaches, Bharath Arun is currently in recovery mode in Chennai after a surgery. Speaking to Boria Majumdar, he heaped praise on Harshit Rana and revealed how Ravi Shastri and the bowling group had worked on Mohammed Siraj in 2020-21. Boria: You played a stellar role in the 2021 win when everyone had written the team off. Siraj led an inexperienced fast bowling attack. What was the talk with Siraj then? Bharath Arun: Ravi and I spent a lot of…

There are five days to go for the all-important World Championship clash between Gukesh D and Ding Liren of China, which starts on November 25 in Singapore. While both are busy preparing for the clash, Gukesh took a little time off to answer some questions a few daysago. It gives us an understanding of his preparation and mindset going into the title clash. Excerpts: Boria: How is the preparation coming along? Clearly, there is a lot of hype and a lot of anticipation in India. Coming after the Olympiad, it could be the best thing for Indian chess. Gukesh: The…

Michael Clarke is widely acknowledged as one of the best Australian captains of all time, and is one of the most committed cricketers I know. His respect for the baggy green cap stood out from his first Test match itself. In the second part of this extensive conversation, Clarke talks of two under-pressure batting units, how Rishabh Pant could be key, and his views on Gautam Gambhir’s comments. Boria: Is this a case of two underdone batting units? Australia haven’t looked too convincing either and India had a nightmare against New Zealand. Clarke: I don’t think the batting units will…

Michael Clarke is widely acknowledged as one of the best Australian captains of all time, and is one of the most committed cricketers I know. His respect for the baggy green cap stood out from his first Test match itself. So when Clarke says he would have done exactly what Rohit Sharma has, it is a strong statement. In this detailed conversation, Clarke set up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, explained why Virat Kohli has every reason to be successful, and how Rishabh Pant could be key. Finally, he spoke on what impact the IPL auction might have on the series. Boria:…

Sourav Ganguly was the one who decided to bat first at Headingly on an overcast morning in 2002. It was a decision that even the great Ian Botham was hugely surprised by. Ganguly did so because he was playing his spin twins, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, and wanted them to bowl in the fourth innings. Now, he is clear that India must go in with Ravichandran Ashwin in Perth, as he is their best spinner and will have real impact with the number of left-handers in the Australian line-up. Ganguly also bats for Virat Kohli, and says Rishabh Pant…

A RevSportz Exclusive Sourav Ganguly is one of the best analysts of the sport. As captain and leader, he changed the face of Indian cricket. It was his 144 at The Gabba that defined the tour of Australia in 2003-4 and when Ganguly says, “Send Shami immediately to Australia”, it is something that will surely be taken note of. In this hour-long chat in the ground floor living room of his Behala residence, Ganguly opened up on all things Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Part 1 Excerpts: Boria: Shami has bowled 40-plus overs. He has picked up 7 wickets. After this, there aren’t…

It was January 2019, and Rohit Sharma had just reached the hotel in Sydney after a quick trip back to India for the birth of his daughter. We bumped into each other in the hotel reception, and soon after we greeted each other, Rohit took out his phone to show a few photos of the newborn. “It is so tough to leave her back in India and travel,” he said. “As a father, it is very difficult. You want to be with them and experience it all.” Two years later, at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, he was yet…

Team RevSportz is now in Australia, and many have had good words for us, and me in particular, for sending colleagues to cover the tour Down Under. And in the same vein, some have mentioned that senior journalists don’t often give opportunities to younger colleagues to travel on marquee tours. These comments don’t really give the full story. First, when you are part of an organisation, you are competing with others in the team. You need to showcase your talent and prove a point. If you are a senior resource and being paid top dollar, more so. Your organisation will…

India played an intra-squad game and, as is the norm in Perth, most of the batters got out nicking behind the wicket. With a week still left for the first Test, things will surely get better for the Indian batting unit. That’s what brings me to Sachin Tendulkar in February 1992 – all of 19 years old and on a wicket which was faster than ever at the hallowed fortress of the WACA. India crumbled round him, but Tendulkar stood strong. Against a top-class Australian bowling attack, he scored one of his best-ever hundreds, and in doing so, established himself…