Author: Shamik Chakrabarty

Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a “red alert” for rain in Mumbai and its suburbs. It’s been pouring almost non-stop for the last 36 hours and the forecast for the next two days is heavy to very heavy rainfall. Bad weather might upset the Asia Cup selection plans, which is scheduled on Tuesday. With uncertainty over flights, there’s even an outside chance that the selectors might meet virtually to finalise a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, according to a BCCI insider. A post-selection press conference is unlikely as of now, although the cricket…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Mumbai Sunil Gavaskar’s statue will be unveiled at Wankhede Stadium on August 23, the day the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will inaugurate its museum, which is named after Sharad Pawar. The statue of the former MCA, BCCI and ICC president, too, will be unveiled. For the visitors, turning up at the museum will come with the added incentive of a Wankhede stadium tour. The MCA hasn’t decided on the ticket prices yet, but it would be kept between Rs 200 and Rs 500. The association has already received memorabilia from 28 cricketers. Gavaskar, too, will…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Mumbai Once upon a time, when cricket wasn’t unencumbered by PR machinery and social media wheeze, utility cricketers used to get recognition from the common viewers and connoisseurs alike for adding meat and steel to the team. Times have changed and the number of followers on social media is now used as a reference point to judge a player’s value, and stardom. The perception has changed, but the game hasn’t, in terms of retaining its basics. In the dressing room, the players for all seasons are loved and respected. No wonder that Axar Patel is rated highly…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Mumbai The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) wants to groom Ayush Mhatre as captain, which is why he has been chosen to lead the 17-member Mumbai squad for the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament. The Sanjay Patil-led selection committee focused on youth in the team selection. And yet, Mhatre being named captain is interesting, given that the squad also includes Sarfaraz Khan and senior player Hardik Tamore. Mhatre is just 18 years old, and this is the most high-profile side in Indian domestic cricket, with 42 Ranji Trophy titles. “We want to groom Mhatre as captain,” a top MCA…

Shamik Chakrabarty The list of Bengal probables, put out by the CAB for the 2025-26 season, had Mohammed Shami’s name at the top. Bengal have started their pre-season in earnest, but the fast bowler is yet to check in. Where is he? “I think Shami is at the NCA (Centre of Excellence) and will directly join the East Zone squad in Bangalore for the Duleep Trophy,” Saurasish Lahiri, the Bengal senior team’s assistant coach, said during a conversation with this correspondent. How is his body, which the BCCI’s medical team believed wouldn’t be able to take the workload of a…

Shamik Chakrabarty September 2024, and India were playing against Bangladesh at Chepauk. It was India’s first Test under Gautam Gambhir as the head coach. Ravichandran Ashwin, along with Ravindra Jadeja, was in the middle of a rescue act from 144/6. Ashwin would go on to score a match-winning hundred, but the conversation in the press box between this correspondent and a senior cricket reporter of a national daily, a long-time friend, was about the veteran off-spinner’s future. “The day Washington Sundar would start turning the ball, he would be in the side,” my friend and colleague had suggested. Eventually, we…

Grapevine has it that Sanju Samson has fallen out with Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid. A franchise insider denies this. “Absolute nonsense,” he says. The tone about Sanju’s future, however, has changed. A few months ago, it was: “He will remain RR captain for the foreseeable future.” Now, asked about if the player has handed in a transfer request, the response is: “Not that I have heard of this.” That Sanju wants to leave Royals is now one of the worst-kept secrets in the IPL circles. Whether he has problems with the head coach or the franchise management…

Before deriding The Hundred that is taking place on the heels of a memorable Test series, think again. From a purist’s point of view, this is a ‘popcorn’ tournament where cricketers thrive on brawn rather than brain. But The Hundred will bankroll English cricket. There’s a deep economic inequality in English county cricket. Save a few top-tier outfits, counties don’t make money. It prompted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to open up The Hundred. It gives the whole English cricket landscape a financial uplift. The eight Hundred franchises will generate substantial revenue, which will have a trickle-down effect.…

Chris Woakes is in excruciating pain. Gus Atkinson calls him for a debrief. England are a hit away from sealing the series. Even a tie will see them taking it 2-1. Shubman Gill wants to have a slip in place. Mohammed Siraj disagrees and sends Sai Sudharsan to fine third man. Every Indian fielder except Dhruv Jurel is manning the boundary. Atkinson expects a short ball and goes deep in his crease. Siraj plays a double bluff and bowls a yorker. In fact, it’s a full toss that doesn’t touch the ground and hits the base of off. The CricViz…

Shamik Chakrabarty Mohammed Siraj was rightly celebrated. It was a series that saw his rise from a cult hero to an icon. Befittingly, exhilaratingly, the fast bowler took the last wicket of the series decider — a pinpoint yorker that castled Gus Atkinson. From India’s point of view, it was the perfect denouement for a gripping drama that lasted six weeks. In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Siraj carried India’s attack on his back. But the team returning with a 2-2 scoreline was down to collective effort. New India kept stardust at arm’s length and revelled in being greater than the sum…