Virat Kohli & Anil Kumble, Who Is The Boss?

The relationship which began as a marriage made in heaven (Anil Kumble’s influence over the early, brattish Virat Kohli in the RCB squad where he was made a young captain in anticipation of his India job is well known), is heading for a divorce in hell.

Champions Trophy Looks Open

The 2017 Champions Trophy is more about the four captains in Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Eoin Morgan, who want to fashion their own legacy and not let their predecessors’ SUCCESSES OR FAILURES make any difference in their planning. By ADITYA SHARMA.

From Containment to Attack!

If I had to put my finger on a particular event, it would be the 50-over World Cup in 2015, when TEAMS REALISED it was not about containing but taking wickets, because the modern day batsman has enough in his armoury to make the bowlers pay.

Chawrasia: Golf Is a Mind Game

After proving his mettle in Asian conditions, the experienced S. S. P Chawrasia, who turned professional in 1997, has now set his eyes on SCALING NEW HEIGHTS in Europe and the USA. The golfer speaks to Y. B. SARANGI.

Mourinho Shines, Klopp's Liverpool Falter Again

Jose Mourinho’s Manchetser United look on course for earning a Champions League slot next season, while Jurgen Klopp’s LIVERPOOL FAILED AGAIN against a lower-placed opponent.

India's Next Big Things

In IPL-­XI, India’s youngest showed they can hold their own against the best in the world. It is now up to the system to nurture them so they are able to transition into complete cricketers.

IPL's Other Battleground

Social media has proved to be a goldmine for fans as the eight franchises clamber to provide a closer look into the lives of their favourite IPL players.

It's Been A Thrilling And Exciting IPL

While this has been the best IPL season, there are a few things that need to be looked at to make it even better next year onwards.

A New Season, New Regulations and a New Hope

Though it is not easy to determine the pecking order based on the times clocked during testing, one can safely say that MERCEDES AND FERRARI WILL BE THE FRONTRUNNERS in Melbourne, followed closely by Red Bull Racing.

Mahi, The Motivator

Even in times of crisis, when many would press the panic button, Mahendra Singh Dhoni would quietly look at the situation, think for a minute and then effectively COME UP WITH AN IDEA that many wouldn’t even think of.

I Prefer A More Open Regulations Book

“It’s nice to have a new set of regulations. But I wouldn’t say they particularly GIVE MORE FREEDOM,” says Adrian Newey, about the new technical changes that will come into force this season.

Vesnina the Giantkiller and Federer the Giant Reign at Indian Wells

Vesnina finished 2015 ranked No. 111, her WORST SEASON-ENDING ranking since 2005, but never lost hope, even after losing in the first round of the qualifying event at Indian Wells a year ago. Supported by her father-coach Sergey and her new husband Pavel Tabuntsov, Vesnina turned her 2016 and career around at Wimbledon and at the Rio Olympics where she and Ekaterina Makarova captured the doubles gold medal.

2017 Playoffs Storylines!

With the break following the All-Star Weekend zipped by, teams and players are now focussed on the 2017 post-season. Home-court advantage, playoffs seedings and the URGENCY TO GRAB the eighth and final spot in both Conferences, will see the period between now and mid-April feature some most exciting match-ups. With that perspective, here’s a look at some of the important storylines to follow.

Messi Saves Barca's Blushes; Ronaldo Inspires Real

While Lionel Messi scored a late winner to give under-pressure Barcelona manager Luis Enrique SOME BREATHING SPACE, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to get back to his best, inspiring Real Madrid to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Villarreal.

Don't Pry Is the Cry! 

Virat Kohli has STRUCK A BAD PATCH, especially in Test cricket. Will the home series against the West Indies provide redemption?

‘Kohli, Kohli, Kohli…' A New Name For The Crowd to Chant

At 24, Virat Kohli is the man to invest in, as a player, as a brand ambassador. His personality is not just about making runs and money. It is about the consistency that marks his cricket. It is about the seriousness that places him in the category of rare batsmen who can adapt to all the three formats of the game.

Overs Limited or Unlimited, No Limit to His Skills

Virat Kohli is now seen as INDIA’S BATTING FULCRUM in all formats. His poise in Tests acquires an aggressive veneer in ODIs and then gains dollops of explosive energy in Twenty20s.

A Quiet Accumulator

Alastair Cook was always destined for greatness. On his debut in Nagpur (2006), the then 21-year-old showcased his PRECOCIOUS ABILITIES with a sublime maiden performance (60 and 104), demonstrating he could succeed on the harshest terrain. The upcoming series in India could propel Cook’s standing to another level.

ISL: Harder Than Last Time

Lucio, the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan DEFENDER spoke to N. SUDARSHAN on how the ISL has changed, on defending, on Brazilian football and on Jose Mourinho.

IPL, No More A Young Man's Game!

Look at the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Cricket. When it was first conceptualised, it was termed a young man’s game. But if anything, starting from Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Anil Kumble, to Michael Hussey, Brad Hogg and Zaheer Khan, many a veteran has debunked this theory, writes N. Sudarshan.

​​​​​​​These are the Days of 'Smart Sledging'

Overall, the player behaviour is very good and verbal exchanges are less personal in today’s cricket. Greater understanding and growing cross-national friendships is not the only factor at play here, though. I think players also understand that brazenly AGGRESSIVE and personal sledging is both distasteful and not actually very effective anymore.

Stay Focussed, Boys!

While what we have achieved with Bengaluru FC is PHENOMENAL, the job is far from done. Yes, we have made history, but I don’t see why we should be satisfied with that. We have a final to look forward to and possibly have the chance to add another chapter in the history books if things go our way.

Infantino: Emerging From The FIFA Inferno!

Perhaps it was sadly symbolic of the changeless depravity to which we associate FIFA across the years that the announcement of Gianni Infantino’s success was made in ringing tones by none other than Issa Hayatou, the acting FIFA President, who has a record if not as long as your arm, well up to the elbow. 

Likening T20 To WWF!

“Back home there was a lot of unrest in the Swat valley and people wanted a moment of joy. This was provided by our team winning the title,” says Pakistan captain Younis Khan.

Robin Uthappa: A Tribute To Team Spirit

To be honest, all of us were finding our way in Twenty20 but we were not overawed. Yes, it was a World Cup, but it was also a format that was fresh to us and we quickly learnt to adapt and cope. Most importantly, we enjoyed our time in the middle. 

Virat Kohli: Hit By An Extended Bad Patch

Virat Kohli is down in the dumps. His batting form has deserted him and the competitive streak is missing from his captaincy. However, as his journey so far has been underlined by resilience, the chances are that captain Kohli will be back among big runs in the Champions Trophy. It will be hard to keep this feisty man down as he seeks to galvanise his team and turn prolific with the willow again. By S. Dinakar.

Amla's Losing Hundreds

*This week’s column is inspired by Mr. B. K. Harinath, an avid reader of this magazine. If you think you have any ideas that you think could be featured in this column, do write in to bishen.numbernut@gmail.com or numbernut@thehindu.co.in.

Venkatesh Prasad: To Succeed, You Need to Be Humble

“A major disappointment this year has been the fact that neither the bowlers nor the batsmen could deliver. When you falter in both the departments, expecting a good result is too much,” says Venkatesh Prasad of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dismal performance this season. By Shayan Acharya.

'Cricket Is Exciting Enough As It Is'

Mitchell Johnson is loath to pink ball Test cricket. “Why do you need to change it? That’s my question. IT’S ALL ABOUT MONEY. That’s all it’s about in the end. The countries, the associations, just wanna put bums on seats,” says the former Australia fast bowler in a chat with AMOL KARHADKAR.

'I Don't Give Up'

From a simple tribal boy, LIMBA RAM has now grown into a world famous archer. India is proud of Limba who equalled a world record in the Beijing international invitation archery championship, which concluded recently. “If you are concentrating hard and do not let anything bother you, you will certainly do well,” says the confident Rajasthani. RAKESH RAO spoke to India’s latest star.