The Playfield - February 1, 2021, Issue III

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Having set the benchmark Down Under, India now face an opponent
which has tried hard to adapt to the challenges of playing in Asian conditions. The 4-0 hammering on their last visit to India in 2016 must serve a
grim reminder to England. This series is India’s final assignment in the
league phase of the World Test Championship, and that will put the combatants under intense scrutiny while placing a growing burden of expectation on the men at the helm. Joe Root exemplifies everything that is good
about batsmanship. So does Kohli, rightfully back as captain. The English
should remember they will be dealing with an opposition known to produce
a much superior brand of cricket when playing at home.
The 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka may appear decent preparation for
England, but a battlefield of a different magnitude awaits them. The quality
of India’s spin bowlers is far more pronounced than what Sri Lanka offered.
That England are following a rotation policy for the four Tests gives India
the advantage, though as India showed in Australia, there is no guarantee
for success these days. If there is one sore point, it will be the absence of
spectators, but that’s only one of many disappointments in this phase of
global uncertainty and turmoil.

The Playfield Magazine Description:

Dear Subscriber
Wounds heal, but not scars. The impact of Covid-19 has, in its wake, left long-lasting grief. Job loss is one of them. When the bread earner of the house suddenly loses his job, the pain he and his family go through is ominous. His lack of employment means unforeseen calamity in these tough times. In such situations, even the fittest fails to survive.

Today, several sports journalists are sailing in the same boat. They need to reinvent themselves to find employment. It will take time for them to recover. They need instant support and The Playfield aims to provide that.

The E-magazine, a concept of like-minded sports journalists, is just a means to meet the ends – to help the worst-hit in some way. We believe even help, in whatever shape and size, can make a difference to the beleaguered. The overwhelming response from several quarters to our call has been encouraging.

The Playfield is a subscription-reliant venture. Revenue generation through advertisements is a future possibility. But, primarily, we are seeking the readers’ generous support because your cooperation – subscription alone – can bring about a change. Thoughtfully, we are also keeping the subscription at an affordable price, not pinching the subscribers’ pocket!

In a venture of this nature, the first question that comes to one’s mind is of the intention and integrity of the people involved in it. Mindful of the issue, we have an Advisory Committee, comprising journalists and sports icons Harbhajan Singh and Zafar Iqbal – to make decisions without a slant. They will pick the deserving beneficiary. As a policy, the committee has taken a conscious decision that all guest editors and writers will work Pro bono. The revenue earned will be transparent and open to scrutiny.

The e-magazine will have 20 pages, essentially covering all disciplines of topical interests, including interviews and columns. The committee has entrusted the editorial rein to R. Kaushik, an eminent cricket writer and biographer of VVS Laxman. With his knowledge and wisdom, we can assure you, the launch edition is in most capable hands. In Sukhwant Basra, we have a writer of immense stature. R. Ramachandran, Manoj Chaturvedi, Nikhil Naz and Vijay Lokapally bring awesome experience to the job. Purnemaa Narayanan and GS Vivek provide moral support with their administrative capabilities.

Over to respected subscribers. You can make the venture a box-office hit.