N Ananthanarayanan has spent almost three decades with news agencies and newspapers, reporting domestic and international sport. He has a passion for writing on cricket and athletics.
Articles by N Ananthanarayanan
Winning the crowd: What Indian athletics needs to learn from the others
As India’s ambition to successfully bid for the 2036 Olympics grows, there is an urgent need to prioritise fan-friendly competitions
Updated on Oct 01, 2024 08:31 PM IST
Time for India to focus on methods over medals
Six medals were meagre returns for India, but discussions must first be on building proper systems to mould champions
Published on Aug 12, 2024 10:53 PM IST
Sifan Hassan’s Olympics for the ages
The tireless Dutch champion emulated Emil Zatopek with medals in 5,000m, 10,000m and the marathon in a single Olympics
Updated on Aug 12, 2024 05:02 AM IST
Jakob’s stutter adds to Olympic 1,500m drama
Norwegian Ingebrigtsen’s tactics focused only on British rival Josh Kerr and American Hocker ended winning gold
Published on Aug 07, 2024 10:12 PM IST
N AnanthanarayananN Ananthanarayanan
The joy, empathy and hypocrisy of the Paris Olympics
Thousands of fans have flocked to venues, bursting into celebrations as the world’s finest athletes win, others agonise over near misses
Updated on Aug 07, 2024 06:20 AM IST
King Leon, queen Ledecky and ‘magical’ Pan in the pool
French swimmer Leon Marchand makes history at Paris Olympics with two gold medals in one session, compared to Michael Phelps. Katie Ledecky ties record with 12th Olympic medal. China's Pan Zhanle sets world record in 100m freestyle.
Updated on Aug 01, 2024 04:26 PM IST
From Karelin to Phelps: In an Olympic class of their own
Serial Olympic champions like Michael Phelps and Aron Szilagyi chase their dreams, but sometimes face heartbreak.
Updated on Jul 29, 2024 04:54 AM IST
N AnanthanarayananN Ananthanarayanan
Jaspal Rana reunion pays off for Manu with Olympic medal
The young shooter ended India’s 12-year wait for a shooting medal at the Games with women’s 10m air pistol bronze
Updated on Jul 28, 2024 06:23 PM IST
Triggering a reflection: Hits and misses of the Opening Ceremony
Paris Olympic opening ceremony showcased highs with Zidane & Nadal, innovative cauldron, & Celine Dion's performance, but faced lows with attire and flag mishaps.
Updated on Jul 27, 2024 08:44 PM IST
In Marchand, the hosts may find their hero
The 22-year-old, dubbed the ‘French Michael Phelps’, is aiming to end France’s 12-year gold drought in the pool
Updated on Jul 27, 2024 05:24 AM IST
N AnanthanarayananN Ananthanarayanan
Euro 2024 finally promises a high-voltage climax
Exciting Euro 2024 semi-finals see France vs Spain and England vs Netherlands clash. France unbeaten but struggling, Spain playing lively football, England seeking redemption, and Netherlands aiming to stop them.
Updated on Jul 07, 2024 10:50 PM IST
Overstaying maybe, but Ronaldo feels a fresh surge of love
The Portuguese talisman is basking in the diffused glow that seems to have replaced the usual sharp glare and divided opinions at Euro 2024
Published on Jun 24, 2024 08:53 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Akshay Bhatia: Drop, pop, playoff win and a Masters
The 22-year-old turned in a superb performance to win the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open
Published on Apr 09, 2024 12:18 AM IST
How Indian batters stayed humble to conquer spin
No rank turners meant scoring runs wasn't a lottery and young home batters showed a fresh way to deal with England's spinners
Updated on Mar 03, 2024 06:34 AM IST
Pitch quiet: Vizag and India's chance to raise the Test tempo
Unlike past rank turners, India won the second Test on a brilliant surface where the talk was about great performances rather than flying puffs of dust
Published on Feb 13, 2024 07:40 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
From HT Archives: When ‘lightning kid’ became the world chess king
It is exactly 23 years since Viswanathan Anand’s landmark FIDE world title, becoming the first Asian men’s champion
Updated on Dec 30, 2023 06:38 AM IST
Aditi Ashok wins Ladies European Tour season-ending event
India’s top woman golfer made a late surge to win the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open in Spain by two shots for her fifth win on the tour
Updated on Nov 27, 2023 12:57 AM IST
CWC 23: 'Karate kid' Coetzee, the breakout Cup star still standing
Apart from his 18 wickets (7 games), he has been invaluable as a middle-overs operator, using his pace to provide crucial wickets.
Updated on Nov 12, 2023 05:25 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Fakhar Zaman special keeps Pakistan's World Cup exit away on a rainy day
New Zealand, led by Rachin Ravindra’s century, got 401/6, only for the Zaman's brilliant response to help his team win the game in Bengaluru via the DLS method
Published on Nov 04, 2023 09:50 PM IST
Why losing at the World Cup is like coming apart at the seams
Teams go through highs and lows in any sport, but when they implode in the World Cup, it is less defeat and more disintegration
Published on Oct 31, 2023 09:19 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
The anchors have not gone out of ODI fashion
The batter who takes charge in a tough situation, spreads calm and helps teammates is still a necessity
Updated on Oct 13, 2023 08:07 AM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
ICC World Cup 2023: Temba Bavuma embraces the tag, can SA unleash the force?
South Africa, forever chasing a first ICC World Cup title, can change that status this time and Saturday's opener versus Sri Lanka should provide indicators
Published on Oct 06, 2023 11:24 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Giving PT Usha company and hurdling over a near-forgotten record
Vithya’s robust running and a slightly awkward high clearance of the hurdles recalls the style of Usha.
Updated on Oct 03, 2023 01:51 AM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Anirban Lahiri 2nd in LIV Golf Bedminster event for huge payday
The $2.5 million payout made it the biggest paycheck for an Indian athlete in professional golf
Published on Aug 14, 2023 11:53 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Satwik-Chirag win Korea Open for year’s fourth title
Indians upstage Indonesia’s world No.1 pair in the final to claim third BWF World Tour title of 2023, besides the Asia Championships crown in April
Updated on Jul 24, 2023 08:16 AM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Jyothi Yarraji underlines her versatility with 200m silver
India finish third in the medal tally at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok
Published on Jul 16, 2023 10:35 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Ashes 2023: Fuming England need a Bradman-inspired comeback
Australia seek another win to clinch their first Ashes in England since 2001; angry England may need more than their ‘Bazball’ to make a comeback at Headingley
Updated on Jul 06, 2023 07:54 AM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
Living in a ‘Bazball’ bubble, here comes trouble
The problem with Bazball is that, while it may be big on entertainment, the insistence on a turbo-charged game all the time actually makes it inflexible
Updated on Jun 22, 2023 08:06 PM IST
N Ananthanarayanan, New Delhi
From HT Archives: When India gained, and regained, their Lord’s supremacy
India's first Test win at Lord's on June 10, 1986, is a great moment in Indian Test history, with Dilip Vengsarkar scoring a century and Kapil Dev grabbing four wickets to secure a 47-run victory. It was India's second-ever 2-0 series win against a strong rival overseas, and Vengsarkar became the first foreign batter to score three Test centuries at Lord's. India have won only nine times in 67 Tests in England, with three of them at Lord's.
Updated on Jun 16, 2023 11:51 PM IST
Jim Hines, legendary US sprinter who broke the 10-second barrier for 100m, dies aged 76
Jim Hines, the first man to run the 100 metres under 10 seconds, has died at the age of 76. The athlete won gold in the 100m at the 1968 Olympics.
Updated on Jun 06, 2023 12:07 AM IST