News / Author / Sandip Sikdar

Sandip Sikdar

From badminton to cricket, Sandip Sikdar writes on many sporting disciplines. He has the experience of working in digital, news agency as well as print organisations. Motorsport remains his first love.

Articles by Sandip Sikdar

India’s depth in hockey allows them to look beyond Sardar Singh: Ric Charlesworth

Ric Charlesworth has not just won a World Cup as player, but also coached the Australian men’s team to World Cup crowns and women’s team to Olympic success.

Indian Hockey player Sardar Singh during a practice session ahead of Asian Games 2018.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Dec 03, 2018 06:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: We knew an equaliser would make the difference - coach Harendra Singh

We knew that once we score an equaliser then things will be in our control: Harendra Singh on India-Belgium World Cup match.

India drew 2-2 with Belgium at the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Dec 02, 2018 10:14 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Canada, South Africa play out 1-1 draw to stay alive

Canada and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in their second Pool C match to stay afloat in the men’s Hockey World Cup.

South Africa's Jethro Eustice controls the ball over Canada during the hockey group stage .(AFP)

sports

Updated on Dec 02, 2018 07:24 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Pakistan lose to Germany, win back fans support

Pakistan produced a lion-hearted performance before going down 0-1 to Olympic bronze medallist Germany in their opening Pool D match.

Germany's player Timm Herzbruch (white) and Shan Ali of Pakistan view for the ball during the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Dec 01, 2018 09:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Flying start for Netherlands against Malaysia

Against a tricky Malaysian side the Netherlands thrashed their opponents 7-0 to put a statement out against all teams vying for the yellow metal.

Jeroen Hertzberger of Netherlands celebrates with team mates after scoring the opening goal during the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup Pool D match between Netherlands and Malaysia at Kalinga Stadium.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Dec 01, 2018 07:16 PM IST

Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: India face Belgium in high stakes clash

India know the Pool C contest against the Rio Olympics silver medallists is a virtual pre-quarterfinal as they would be expected to beat Canada in their final league outing on December 8.

India’s campaign got off to a rollicking start with a 5-0 win over South Africa.(AFP)

sports

Updated on Dec 01, 2018 06:10 PM IST

Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Netherlands, Pakistan kick off battle in Group of Death

Netherlands can never be counted out of contention for the top prize given their record as they begin their campaign at the Hockey World Cup against Malaysia.

Pakistan will take on twice champions Germany in the Hockey World Cup.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Nov 30, 2018 06:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Harmanpreet Singh wants to make amends against Belgium

Harmanpreet Singh is now among the three short corner specialists for India in the World Cup. The Punjab player is the leader of the pack which includes Amit Rohidas and Varun Kumar.

Harmanpreet Singh (R) of India passes the ball during the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup Pool C match between India and South Africa at Kalinga Stadium.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Nov 30, 2018 05:45 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: A Kiwi act for cancer awareness

The players will shave off their bristles only on December 1, since they raise awareness about men’s health issues for the whole of November every year. And, they’ve coined a term for it, “Movember”, which literally is a portmanteau of the words ‘moustache’ and ‘November’,

New Zealand (black) player Kane Russell celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in a match against France (white) for Men's Hockey World Cup 2018, in Bhubaneswar.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Nov 30, 2018 10:48 AM IST

Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Unlike Europe, Asian teams build on individual play - Oltmans

It has been some journey for the respected Dutch coach. A five-year stint in India was followed by his taking charge of Pakistan in March before quitting to take over as Malaysia head coach in October.

File image of former India hocket coach Roelant Oltmans.(Hindustan Times)

sports

Updated on Nov 30, 2018 09:01 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Rampant India thrash South Africa 5-0 to start their campaign

With Man-of-the-Match Simranjeet Singh (43rd and 46th) scoring a brace, a goal each from the sticks of Mandeep Singh (10th), Akashdeep Singh (12th) and Lalit Upadhyay (45th) helped the hosts ease off the pressure from the young shoulders of the team.

India's Mandeep Singh (in blue) attempts a goal during their match against South Africa for Men's Hockey World Cup 2018, in Bhubaneswar(PTI)

sports

Updated on Nov 28, 2018 11:41 PM IST

Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Wasteful Belgium edge out Canada

The Red Lions thought they had pocketed their second goal quite soon in the second quarter. However, it was disallowed, but it was perhaps the best piece of teamwork by the Belgian forwards in the match.

Belgium players Felix Denayer with teammates celebrates after hitting a goal against Canada during Men's Hockey World Cup 2018, at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar(PTI)

sports

Updated on Nov 28, 2018 07:41 PM IST

Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Pakistan journalists denied visa to cover event

Two young Pakistani sports journalists from Karachi and Peshawar, who were also expected here as part of the Young Sports Journalists Training Programme, will also miss the trip as they too have not been granted visas despite applying a month back.

Image for representation only.(AFP/Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Nov 28, 2018 12:40 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Young India keen to begin with a bang

Though India have a 25-8 record against the highest-ranked African team, South Africa are an unknown entity, with India having last faced them at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games where India won 5-2.

File image of India's Harmanpreet Singh (L) and Manpreet Singh (R) celebrating a goal.(AFP)

sports

Updated on Nov 28, 2018 12:58 PM IST

Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Today’s game is laptop hockey: Dhanraj Pillay

Former India captain Dhanraj Pillay believes the Indian hockey team is at par with the world’s premier outfits in terms of speed in this age of ‘laptop hockey’.

sports

Updated on Nov 27, 2018 08:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Banishing the lag in drag flick

For young Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas and Varun Kumar --- the three drag-flickers --- it will be an opportunity to show their mettle in the absence of senior pro Rupinder Pal Singh, who didn’t find a place in the squad.

sports

Published on Nov 24, 2018 08:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: India get the right boost before tournament

A 23-day camp in November has prepared the team to take on the best at the quadrennial event which begins with India taking on South Africa on November 28.

File image: Indian players celebrate after winning a match.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Nov 24, 2018 04:36 PM IST

BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup: Good record apart, we need to deliver in key matches - Coach Harendra

Harendra replaced Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne after the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games debacle in April where India failed to win a medal, after winning silver in the previous two editions.

File image of India hockey coach Harendra Singh.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Nov 24, 2018 04:34 PM IST

New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

Pakistan postpone arrival for hockey World Cup

Out of the 24-member contingent --- 18 players and six support staff ---, head coach Tauqeer Dar, assistant coach Danish Kaleem and Muhammad Irfan Jr (player) did not get their visas on Friday.

Pakistan have been clubbed with Germany, Netherlands and Malaysia in Pool D of the World Cup(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Nov 19, 2018 10:43 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

World Cup hockey: India to issue visas to Pakistan

Two years ago, the Pakistan squad did not get visas to take part in the junior World Cup in Lucknow despite qualifying through their runners-up position in the Junior Asia Cup. They were replaced by Malaysia.

Pakistan are placed in Group D alongside Malaysia, Germany and the Netherlands.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Nov 16, 2018 01:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Organisers take measures to prevent stomach bug issues

The Odisha government does not want to take any chances and has taken pre-emptive measures to make sure there is no encore of the Hockey World League Final at the World Cup.

File image of Indian players celebrating a goal at the Kalinga Stadium.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Nov 24, 2018 04:32 PM IST

Bhubaneswar | BySandip Sikdar

Hockey World Cup 2018: Every player a captain in Manpreet Singh’s team

The post of India captain has also played several rounds of musical chairs this year. Manpreet, PR Sreejesh and former international Sardar Singh have all been India skipper at different times

BREDA - Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy Final Australia - India Photo: Manpreet Singh. COPYRIGHT WORLDSPORTPICS FRANK UIJLENBROEK(Frank Uijlenbroek)

sports

Updated on Nov 13, 2018 11:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

Odisha capital paints rosy picture ahead of Hockey World Cup

Hoardings and posters have been put up all over the city, creating a buzz among the residents here that their city will stage the World Cup in a fortnight.

Hoardings and posters have been put up all over the city in Bhubaneshwar.(HT Photo)

sports

Updated on Nov 13, 2018 07:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Bhubaneshwar | BySandip Sikdar

FIH looks to save water, to change playing surface by 2024

FIH decided that from 2024 Paris Olympics onwards, the sport will be played on a new surface which barely uses water, unlike the current synthetic turfs which need lots of it to control the pace of the ball.

Current synthetic surfaces use too much water.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Nov 04, 2018 07:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

Virat Kohli is a great skipper and getting better, that’s scary: AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers’ camaraderie with India captain Virat Kohli is well known as both have played together for IPL outfit RCB for years.

File image of AB De Villiers (left) with Virat Kohli.(AFP)

cricket

Updated on Oct 22, 2018 08:42 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

The 2020 Olympic gold is my ultimate aim: PV Sindhu

From the current focus on her to the rivalry with Saina Nehwal, world No 3 PV Sindhu discussed a variety of issues in this chat on the sidelines of Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

P.V. Sindhu, Indian badminton player, during the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit at Taj Palace in New Delhi, India, on Saturday, September 6, 2018. (Photo by Amal KS/ Hindustan Times)(Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

sports

Updated on Oct 08, 2018 06:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

India vs West Indies 2018: India & Australia hand debuts, prepare for high-profile series

Australia will play a short limited overs series against South Africa following the conclusion of the UAE tour. India will head straight Down Under in November following the series against the Windies.

cricket

Published on Oct 03, 2018 08:38 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

Providing the impetus for an Army of talent

It is perhaps this attitude towards life that makes an army personnel push the boundaries and achieve great heights, even in the playing arena.

After its personnel returned with a rich haul of medals from the Jakarta Asian Games, the Indian Army is focussing on nurturing talent under the Mission Olympic Cell.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 11:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByNavneet Singh & Sandip Sikdar

India strong but must play big games well, says Australia hockey skipper Eddie Ockenden

The next big stop for the Indian hockey team will be the World Cup in Bhubaneswar in November-December where Eddie Ockenden believes the hosts will have an upper hand.

Eddie Ockenden in action for Australia during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.(Action Plus via Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Sep 06, 2018 08:40 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar

Asian Games 2018: Medal mix points to tectonic shift for India

This week, India’s champions have struck gold at a faster pace, won medals in sports as diverse as sepak takraw and wushu, and two of them, gold-medallist Saurabh Chaudhary and silver-medallist Shardul Vihan, are 15 years old.

Indian rowing Men's team members Sawarn Singh, Bhokanal Dattu, Om Prakash and S Singh Quadruple Sculls with national flag celebrate after the medal ceremony winning the gold medal during the 18th Asian Games.(PTI)

cricket

Updated on Aug 25, 2018 12:08 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySandip Sikdar and Shijith P Kunhitty

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Sandip Sikdar

From badminton to cricket, Sandip Sikdar writes on many sporting disciplines. He has the experience of working in digital, news agency as well as print organisations. Motorsport remains his first love.

Ric Charlesworth has not just won a World Cup as player, but also coached the Australian men’s team to World Cup crowns and women’s team to Olympic success.

We knew that once we score an equaliser then things will be in our control: Harendra Singh on India-Belgium World Cup match.

Canada and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in their second Pool C match to stay afloat in the men’s Hockey World Cup.

Pakistan produced a lion-hearted performance before going down 0-1 to Olympic bronze medallist Germany in their opening Pool D match.

Against a tricky Malaysian side the Netherlands thrashed their opponents 7-0 to put a statement out against all teams vying for the yellow metal.

India know the Pool C contest against the Rio Olympics silver medallists is a virtual pre-quarterfinal as they would be expected to beat Canada in their final league outing on December 8.

Netherlands can never be counted out of contention for the top prize given their record as they begin their campaign at the Hockey World Cup against Malaysia.

Harmanpreet Singh is now among the three short corner specialists for India in the World Cup. The Punjab player is the leader of the pack which includes Amit Rohidas and Varun Kumar.

The players will shave off their bristles only on December 1, since they raise awareness about men’s health issues for the whole of November every year. And, they’ve coined a term for it, “Movember”, which literally is a portmanteau of the words ‘moustache’ and ‘November’,

It has been some journey for the respected Dutch coach. A five-year stint in India was followed by his taking charge of Pakistan in March before quitting to take over as Malaysia head coach in October.

With Man-of-the-Match Simranjeet Singh (43rd and 46th) scoring a brace, a goal each from the sticks of Mandeep Singh (10th), Akashdeep Singh (12th) and Lalit Upadhyay (45th) helped the hosts ease off the pressure from the young shoulders of the team.

The Red Lions thought they had pocketed their second goal quite soon in the second quarter. However, it was disallowed, but it was perhaps the best piece of teamwork by the Belgian forwards in the match.

Two young Pakistani sports journalists from Karachi and Peshawar, who were also expected here as part of the Young Sports Journalists Training Programme, will also miss the trip as they too have not been granted visas despite applying a month back.

Though India have a 25-8 record against the highest-ranked African team, South Africa are an unknown entity, with India having last faced them at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games where India won 5-2.

Former India captain Dhanraj Pillay believes the Indian hockey team is at par with the world’s premier outfits in terms of speed in this age of ‘laptop hockey’.

For young Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas and Varun Kumar --- the three drag-flickers --- it will be an opportunity to show their mettle in the absence of senior pro Rupinder Pal Singh, who didn’t find a place in the squad.

A 23-day camp in November has prepared the team to take on the best at the quadrennial event which begins with India taking on South Africa on November 28.

Harendra replaced Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne after the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games debacle in April where India failed to win a medal, after winning silver in the previous two editions.

Out of the 24-member contingent --- 18 players and six support staff ---, head coach Tauqeer Dar, assistant coach Danish Kaleem and Muhammad Irfan Jr (player) did not get their visas on Friday.

Two years ago, the Pakistan squad did not get visas to take part in the junior World Cup in Lucknow despite qualifying through their runners-up position in the Junior Asia Cup. They were replaced by Malaysia.

The Odisha government does not want to take any chances and has taken pre-emptive measures to make sure there is no encore of the Hockey World League Final at the World Cup.

The post of India captain has also played several rounds of musical chairs this year. Manpreet, PR Sreejesh and former international Sardar Singh have all been India skipper at different times

Hoardings and posters have been put up all over the city, creating a buzz among the residents here that their city will stage the World Cup in a fortnight.

FIH decided that from 2024 Paris Olympics onwards, the sport will be played on a new surface which barely uses water, unlike the current synthetic turfs which need lots of it to control the pace of the ball.

AB de Villiers’ camaraderie with India captain Virat Kohli is well known as both have played together for IPL outfit RCB for years.

From the current focus on her to the rivalry with Saina Nehwal, world No 3 PV Sindhu discussed a variety of issues in this chat on the sidelines of Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Australia will play a short limited overs series against South Africa following the conclusion of the UAE tour. India will head straight Down Under in November following the series against the Windies.

It is perhaps this attitude towards life that makes an army personnel push the boundaries and achieve great heights, even in the playing arena.

The next big stop for the Indian hockey team will be the World Cup in Bhubaneswar in November-December where Eddie Ockenden believes the hosts will have an upper hand.

This week, India’s champions have struck gold at a faster pace, won medals in sports as diverse as sepak takraw and wushu, and two of them, gold-medallist Saurabh Chaudhary and silver-medallist Shardul Vihan, are 15 years old.

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