Articles by Somshuvra Laha
Football legend Pele is back in Kolkata after 38 years
The oldest among the bevy of football legends to come to Kolkata, the Black Pearl still staved off jetlag to stand up on the footboard of his car and wave to the people waiting to see him at the arrival terminal.
Published on Oct 12, 2015 03:20 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Not coming back to Eden, says curator after 3rd India-SA T20 washout
Most CAB officials have openly slammed curator Prabir Mukherjee’s decision to not cover the outfield despite threat of rain. “Of late he has been very high handed and considered himself above the institution. That is not on. This incident should have never happened,” said a senior CAB official.
Updated on Oct 09, 2015 11:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Kolkata pours cold water on Ganguly’s ‘debut’; shadow on Eden facilities
Sourav Ganguly’s debut as the face of one of India’s premier state associations couldn’t have got off to a worse start as rain played spoilsport. The match was supposed to start at 7pm, but was held up by more than two hours at the Eden Gardens before it was called off at 9.30pm.
Updated on Oct 09, 2015 10:01 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
Measured approach, fielding helped us win T20 series: Miller
According to David Miller, South Africa not only look at the pitch or the dew factor but also the length of the boundaries, vantage points for fielders and even how the hard the turf is. Successfully adapting to these factors has meant yet another T20 series win in a country the side will revisit in five months for the World T20.
Updated on Oct 07, 2015 10:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
After Jagmohan Dalmiya's death, jockeying for power in BCCI begins
Sharad Pawar is reportedly a leading contender to return as BCCI president after Jagmohan Dalmiya’s death with two years of the term left.
Updated on Sep 22, 2015 09:17 AM IST
Hindustan Times | , Mumbai/kolkata
Sai Prasad Mohapatra and Somshuvra LahaWrong shot selection, footwork have cost India against spin
In the last five years, India have conceded the most wickets (58 in 13 Tests) to James Anderson but mind boggling is the success spinners have got against India.
Updated on Sep 04, 2015 08:19 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
BCCI meet off, IPL future takes back seat to Srini-Dalmiya row
High drama was on Friday witnessed in the BCCI's crucial Working Committee meeting over the presence of N Srinivasan, prompting the president Jagmohan Dalmiya to adjourn the meeting sine die over lack of legal clarity on the sidelined former chief's status.
Updated on Aug 29, 2015 12:55 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
No exposure for India U-19 team as World Cup nears
While the senior cricketers are almost keeling over due to a packed international calendar, India’s GenNext has gone without meaningful competition for almost 17 months now.
Updated on Jul 21, 2015 10:28 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
For IPL 9, a plan to bring back Kochi, float Ahmedabad team
Former IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala could make a comeback next season with the league’s governing council considering such an offer. The panel is also looking into raising a team from another city -- in all probability Ahmedabad.
Updated on Jul 18, 2015 12:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Kolkata
BCCI's dilemma: Post IPL verdict, 2 new teams or fresh auctions?
As Lalit Modi welcomed the Justice Lodha committee’s verdict and Mumbai Cricket Association president Sharad Pawar asked the BCCI to call an emergent meeting, the board’s top brass in Kolkata was gearing up for a governing council meeting on Sunday to discuss two options — either call for fresh auctions for the 45-odd players or find new owners for the two suspended teams.
Updated on Jul 15, 2015 09:49 AM IST
Hindustan Times | , Kolkata/mumbai
Somshuvra Laha & Sanjjeev K SamyalBangladesh series failure: Crisis hints at cracks in Team India
The Bangladesh tour has painted two different images of leadership. Dhoni kept his calm and led from the front in the 3rd ODI, while Kohli’s comments and poor form in the series have led to doubts about serious divisions in the Indian camp.
Updated on Jun 26, 2015 12:30 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
India vs Bangladesh: Dhoni makes statement with determined knock
A 77-ball 69 was no trademark Dhoni blitz, but the hallmark of his innings, around which the rest of the batting flourished, was the intent to correct things that had gone wrong in the series.
Updated on Jun 25, 2015 02:49 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
No 'Banglawash' as India win 3rd ODI, series ends 2-1 to Bangladesh
India managed to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash with a consolation 77-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI in Mirpur on Wednesday as the hosts won the series 2-1.
Updated on Jun 25, 2015 02:05 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
India vs Bangladesh: Dhoni's men need teamwork for first win
There is a difference between getting thrashed in the subcontinent and being comprehensively beaten outside it. The latter, despite India's victorious World Twenty20 and Champions Trophy campaigns, isn't unfamiliar with this India team. But not since the ODI series against Pakistan in 2012-13 have India lost a rubber going into the third game in the subcontinent.
Updated on Jun 24, 2015 11:10 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Captain cool Dhoni going cold with tactics and bat
It’s not easy to suddenly pull down MS Dhoni from his World Cup-winning eminence to a position of trying to stay relevant. Making sweeping changes in the team after just one loss however points towards desperation, which is unlike Dhoni.
Updated on Jun 22, 2015 12:17 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
India vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI: Toss, partnerships key factors for Men in Blue in do-or-die battle
Contrary to impression that India are great chasers, results since late 2013 show they are still shaky
Updated on Jun 21, 2015 01:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Inside story: Options given to Dhoni and India's stand on Mustafizur
The Indian team management was braced to lodge an appeal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) if only MS Dhoni was penalised at the hearing with ICC match referee Andy Pycroft on Friday.
Updated on Jun 21, 2015 09:40 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Bangladesh vs India: Dhoni stays off Kohli domain, stays cheeky
Virat Kohli repeatedly let know his preference for five bowlers in the Test team, a strategy rarely adopted by MS Dhoni during his tenure.
Updated on Jun 18, 2015 05:17 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Bangladesh vs India: Ravindra Jadeja faces the heat in ODIs
To see Ravindra Jadeja at the fitness test camp in Kolkata two days before India flew to Bangladesh was a bit surprising. It was an examination for the Test players but Jadeja was also there because of his prolonged shoulder injury.
Updated on Jun 18, 2015 05:52 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Stuart Binny still in hope mode on return to Bangladesh
You would expect the bowler with the best ODI figures ever for India to be a permanent fixture in the team. But Stuart Binny’s appearances have been sporadic — in 18 months he has played just nine matches — and he remains a fringe player.
Updated on Jun 17, 2015 03:15 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
India must mould pacers for Tests to win abroad consistently: Streak
These are exciting as well as exasperating times as far as India’s pace department is concerned. Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron are genuinely quick while Mohammed Shami hit the right notes at the World Cup to indicate his growing maturity.
Updated on Jun 17, 2015 02:39 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Bangladesh star all-rounder serves up sports lounge Shakib’s
The menu is an all-round foodie’s dream. And the service is T20 style. At Shakib Al Hasan’s restaurant — called Shakib’s — it’s the cricket themed style that grabs attention.
Updated on Jun 16, 2015 01:21 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Eyes on ODIs as Dhoni lands; Vijay leaves with a fine over logo
India’s Test players left Dhaka on Monday after a moral victory against Bangladesh but the departure was slightly soured when opening batsman Murali Vijay was fined 25% of his match fees by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for flouting logo regulations on his bat.
Updated on Jun 16, 2015 05:30 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Bangladesh vs India: Giving it a rip and taking other positive turns
The lasting image of this rain-ruined Test will be Harbhajan Singh giving R Ashwin a hug and a pat on his back after the latter's five-wicket haul.
Updated on Jun 15, 2015 08:12 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Fatullah
IPL experience helped me improve my game for Bangladesh: Shakib
Shakib Al Hasan feels playing in the IPL has helped him bowl well against India. With figures of 4/105, Shakib was not only the best bowler from his team, but he also became the first Bangladeshi to take 100 wickets at home.
Updated on Jun 13, 2015 06:52 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Fatullah
Rain takes Fatullah Test between Bangladesh and India towards draw
The one-off cricket Test between India and Bangladesh seems to be meandering towards a tame draw after incessant rain halted the visiting spinners, who reduced the hosts to 111/3 in the only session of play that was possible on the fourth day at Fatullah on Saturday.
Updated on Jun 14, 2015 12:22 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Fatullah
India vs Bangladesh, Fatullah Test: Rahane scores aggressive 98 to buoy visitors on Day 3
There is a distinct possibility this Test would end in a draw but at least the two sides won’t be accused of slow cricket. With rain playing spoilsport occasionally, urgency was the highlight of the third day’s play. The groundsmen were ready with covers to rush to the ground at a moment’s notice. Umpires and the match referee too were on standby to take quick inspections.
Updated on Jun 13, 2015 02:21 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Fatullah
Bangladeshi actor who filed rape case against cricketer Rubel talks of heartbreak, memories
Actor who was widely disparaged for sending Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain to jail on the eve of the World Cup says heartbreak and Hossain’s acquittal was what hurt most.
Updated on Jun 12, 2015 11:02 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Dhaka
Pujara faces battle to fit in to Kohli's attacking Indian side
With Rohit Sharma chosen over him for the squad against Bangladesh, the No. 3 batsman’s Test future looks uncertain at the moment.
Updated on Jun 12, 2015 01:43 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Fatullah
Fatullah Test: India pile on the runs as Bangladesh bowling falters
India took just 56 overs — stoppage for rain robbed 34 overs — to score 239 for no loss, making it a super effort after Kohli elected to bat.
Updated on Jun 11, 2015 01:49 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Somshuvra Laha, Fatullah, Bangladesh