Author: Debasis Sen

It was the morning of November 10, 2021, a couple of days after India’s cricket team played their final group match against Namibia at the ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai. Virat Kohli and his boys were already out of the tournament, having lost to arch-rivals Pakistan and New Zealand in the first two matches. I got a call from Boria da that he would be coming to the place where I was staying in Sports City to pick me up and take me somewhere. On the way, I was told that we were heading to the Indian team hotel…

Glenn Maxwell’s scintillating knock of 201* in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 game against Afghanistan at Wankhede stadium has been hailed as one of the greatest ODI knocks in history. Chasing 292 for victory, Australia had slumped to 7-91 in the 19th over, with their hopes of a World Cup semi-final berth in some jeopardy. Maxwell had other ideas though, as he displayed remarkable courage and character to take Australia home. He was unable to run properly between the wickets because of back spasms and full-body cramps, but he finished undefeated on 201 off 128 deliveries, confirming victory with…

Raja Venkat, the former Bengal batter who was part of the selection panel for the men’s national team between 2008 and 2012, dropped a bombshell, when he told RevSportz that Rohit Sharma was not picked for 2011 World Cup squad because MS Dhoni, the captain, wanted Piyush Chawla in the side. Venkat, now settled in Coonoor, opened up about how the Krishnamachari Srikkanth-led selection panel had unanimously picked Rohit – a regular in the ODI side over the previous three years – only for the captain to veto the choice. Chawla ended up playing just three matches in the competition,…

On a momentous day during the ongoing fifth test of the Ashes 2023 series, English fast bowler Stuart Broad announced his retirement from the game, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that includes over 600 test wickets, 178 ODI wickets, and 65 T20 wickets. Little did he know that, some 4000 miles away in Barbados, at a different ‘Oval’, the greatest ever player to have played the sport, Sir Garfield Sobers, would have some heartfelt words for him. As the second ODI between West Indies and India unfolded in Barbados, RevSportz correspondent Debasis Sen seized a unique opportunity to…

Joshua Da Silva’s mother Caroline Da Silva and father Michael Da Silva are overwhelmed after meeting Virat Kohli and have said that their life’s ambition is for their son to play for RCB, a team for which Virat plays. “It will be the insane dream moment for us” said the couple and went on to add “We will be in India to witness that moment if it ever comes true.” The couple said that they still couldn’t believe how it all happened and that every sportsperson should learn the humility of Virat Kohli. “He has achieved so much and yet…

Dilip Vengsarkar, former India captain who was also chairman of the selection committee, feels that giving opportunities to the right players at the correct times will be key for the Indian cricket team to do well in future. In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, Vengsarkar indirectly criticised the current selectors for appearing to lack that vision. “Cricket, we all know, is a very popular sport in India, and we have so many players right from different age levels to first-class cricket,” said Vengsarkar. “The most important thing I feel is that you must spot the talent and groom them at…

Sourav Ganguly will be back in the commentary box after a stint with the Delhi Capitals, to continue his forever-love story with England. From that debut hundred at Lord’s to the NatWest win, Ganguly always starred in England. And now with Dona, his wife, and Sana, his daughter, both residents of London, England has become a second home for Ganguly. He looked fresh after his evening walk as he settled down to speak to Debasis Sen in this exclusive conversation for RevSportz. Debasis: You are back in the commentary box, and all of us are looking forward to listening to…

MSK Prasad, the former selection committee chairman for the men’s team, hoped that the team management would not repeat the mistakes made during the last World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand in 2021. According to him, the composition of the playing XI would be crucial in the game against Australia, and need to factor in the conditions and the pitch at The Oval. In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, Prasad shared his thoughts. Here are the excerpts: Who do you see as the favourites for the upcoming World Test Championship Final, and why? MSK: See had we…

By Debasis Sen What was Andre Russell doing alone at the Eden Gardens on the eve of IPL 2023 game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday? The big Jamaican was still batting in the middle against the net bowlers, long after all his teammates were back in the change room. In a bid to get back to scoring big runs, Russell is not leaving any stone unturned. Despite having already spent about an hour in the nets, he was seen batting again against the net bowlers. Russell’s form is bothering the KKR think-tank, and he can sense it especially…

By Debasis Sen From career-threatening injury to pulling off an improbable win against Gujarat Titans, this is the story of Rinku Singh. When the final over began with Kolkata Knight Riders needing 29 to beat Gujarat Titans, the defending IPL champions, in the noisy cauldron of the Narendra Modi Stadium, no one gave them a chance. The various predictive algorithms had their chance of victory at less than 2 per cent. When the equation narrowed to 28 from 5 balls, it was even less likely. But no one told Rinku Singh. His five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal, his Uttar…