Author: Shamik Chakrabarty

It was the mother of all meltdowns, and the sound reverberated in the echo chamber. The proliferation of YouTube channels and social media influencers has its downsides. For an old-timer like this correspondent, at times it’s pretty difficult, nigh on impossible in fact, to keep a tab on the microphones and cameras that are not ceremonial. Cricket assignments in this country, even if it’s a Ranji Trophy match, are not soft beats where people can be put out to pasture. And it was the Champions Trophy, one of the most high-profile events in the calendar. Hindsight gives you the advantage…

Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, India’s head coach and the chairman of the senior men’s selection committee, might not have the last word on the ODI future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, it is learnt. It would be about how the two titans of Indian cricket are planning their future, with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. According to a source in the know, the BCCI would like to hear from them, as a meeting is planned towards the end, or after the white-ball series against South Africa that starts on Sunday. Gambhir and Agarkar are expected to…

By Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati Simon Harmer’s comment at the post-match press conference felt ironic. “The Indian players are still very good players of spin,” said the South Africa off-spinner after returning with 17 wickets from two Tests and bagging the Player of the Series award. “It didn’t work out for them in this Test series, but I can guarantee you that they will be hurting. They will come back stronger. They are a class act, they are world-class players.” Make no mistake, Harmer wasn’t trying to rub salt into the wound and there was no sarcasm attached. He was…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati Shukri Conrad started the fire, Temba Bavuma tried to douse it. On Tuesday, after the fourth day’s play of the second Test here in Guwahati, Conrad, the South Africa head coach, spoke about how his team wanted to make India “grovel”. Naturally, the word that might carry a racist undertone, caused controversies. On Wednesday, after the match, Bavuma was asked about Conrad’s comment, and the South Africa captain gave his observation. “Yeah, look, I mean, the comment or the remark made by the coach came to me this morning,” said Bavuma at the post-match press conference.…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati Maybe, after such a press conference, one is allowed to read between the lines and interpret. It felt like Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, was under pressure. India’s performance in the second Test against South Africa here in Guwahati was shambolic. A 408-run loss in a home Test – the biggest in terms of runs – laid bare the tattered fabric of the Test side, and it wasn’t a case in isolation. Over the last 12-odd months, India have played seven Tests at home, losing five. And probably for the first time during his tenure as…

By Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati Rarely do you see a knock as poor as Sai Sudharsan’s in the second innings here. India’s designated No. 3, whose inclusion in this Test forced Washington Sundar to drop down the order to No. 8, played 139 balls for 14. It wasn’t a blockathon à la AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis in Adelaide in 2012. Far from it. Not once did Sai look in control during his 159-minute stay at the crease. There was no intent, virtually no effort to rotate the strike and put the bowlers under pressure. He could have…

By Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati Ravindra Jadeja was still optimistic at the press conference after the end of the fourth day’s play. He spoke about how it could be a “win-win” situation for India if they batted out three sessions on the final day of the second Test here in Guwahati. The hosts lost three wickets inside the first 65 minutes on Day 5. Game over. This Indian batting is so porous that it can’t even take advantage of the opportunities offered. A couple of early reprieves saw Kuldeep Yadav, the nightwatchman, survive a dropped catch, and Sai Sudharsan…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati The question was about South Africa’s declaration in their second innings. Shukri Conrad, the team’s head coach, came up with a shocker. “We wanted them (India) to really grovel,” he said at the press conference, after the end of the fourth day’s play in the second Test between India and South Africa here in Guwahati. A line was crossed and it wasn’t the boundary line. Probably as part of damage control, Conrad added: “To steal a phrase, bat them completely out of the game and then say to them, ‘well, come and survive on the last…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati For two-and-a-half sessions on Day 4 of the second Test here in Guwahati, the game meandered along. It tested everyone’s patience. South Africa were under no compulsion to add spice to the proceedings. They were happy to pile misery on India, who were just going through the motions. Eventually, 41 minutes after lunch, when the tourists declared on 260/5 in their second innings, their lead swelled to 548. India will have to score 549 to square the series. They finished the day on 27/2, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul back in the hut. India stare…

Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati Slowly but surely South Africa batted India out of the second Test. The lead swelled. The Proteas started Day 4 on 26 for no loss. The lead went past the 400-run mark just after tea. A team can lose a game or a series, but the biggest concern was the body language of the Indian players on the field. Even the three wickets that fell in the first session had muted celebrations. Ravichandran Ashwin’s post on X (formerly Twitter), was timely. “I really hope we can bounce back while batting in the 2nd innings, but the…