Pradeep Magazine

Ashwin, Saha have given India a middle spine which it lacked

Two batsmen, or let us still call them part-time willow-wielders, as their primary job is something else, led the recovery. Wriddhiman Saha is a wicket-keeper and Ashwin’s main job is to bemuse the batsmen and take wickets.

India go for an overhaul on uncertain day against West Indies

The exclusion of Murali Vijay was a surprise and the choice of Rohit Sharma over Cheteshwar Pujara debatable in the third Test.

Being Pujara and the dilemma of team selection

Once hailed as the next Rahul Dravid, Cheteswar Pujara is a shadow of the player who guided India to a win on his debut against Australia.

By latching on to straws, Board hoping against hope

Justice Markandey Katju’s tirade against the Supreme Court judgement has given breathing space to some well-known names in the cricket administration, who will become history when the Lodha panel recommendations become a reality.

Understated Rahane’s elevation a pleasant surprise

For a batsman, who under MS Dhoni was not sure of his place in the shorter format and not trusted with Tests, his elevation to vice-captaincy for the Windies tour has come as a surprise.

Welcome back Windies, stand up and be counted

The passion, intensity and knowledge of a West Indian fan perhaps remains unmatched anywhere in the cricketing world.

It is time to pad up for the Olympics

If beach volleyball can, why can’t cricket be a fixture at Olympics?

Cricket made its Olympic debut and exit at the 1900 Paris Games. It will not be played at Rio, but could be part of the 2024 Games

One-sided India vs West Indies series leaves Test cricket in tatters

While it is great to watch team India dominate on their tour of West Indies, their weak opponents show the sorry state of Test cricket.

Narsingh episode: Wages of jealousy has no limit

What makes this incident sinister is that a medal prospect is obliquely accusing his fellow wrestler of vendetta and revenge.

What about a duel between Gavaskar and Richards

Watching Vivian Richards and Sunil Gavaskar in the commentary box sharing their opinions on the Antigua Test with the viewers, set off a chain of thought that evoked a magnificent era of batsmanship that even the best today would find hard to emulate.

The SC sets the field for the cricket board

SC ruling on Lodha panel could change the face of sports administration

It would be interesting now to see how these radical recommendations, which do not allow conflict of interest not just among players but even the office-bearers of the BCCI, play themselves out

Cricket’s journey of change: From banana-boat to supersonic age

From timeless matches, to five-days, to one-day and now to a three-and-an-half-hour game, no other sport has seen such drastic restructuring as cricket has. Even after these radical changes, no one is sure what kind of future awaits us.

As India get set, one hopes Windies cricket rises again

Winning India series could lead to a much-needed revival of West Indies cricket

The name West Indies conjures up past images of cricket played at its expansive best. As India begin their tour of the Caribbean islands, nostalgia floods the mind, reminding one of some of the most glorious moments of international cricket.

Kumble wants to create an Indian way in the dressing room

Explaining at length what that means, Kumble wants the team to symbolise Indian values, like behaving with each other like an extended family and showing respect for the seniors.

Coach Kumble ushering in wave of fresh ideas

Anil Kumble has a wider vision of Indian cricket, brings in fresh energy

Anil Kumble has been in his new job as the Indian coach for only a few days, but by all accounts, he has brought with him a fresh energy and a wave of ideas that he is eager to implement without any delay

Kumble’s willingness to learn, adapt quickly bodes well for Team India

Kumble’s story on how he turned from bowling quick to trying his hand at spin suggests he was not averse to change, had a degree of adaptability, zeal and motivation to learn and work hard to reach his goals.

Pink ball revolution should not lead to anarchy

When conditions and behaviour of the ball will transform drastically, the game too will change from what it has been so far.

Kumble in race for India coaching job

Kumble in fray; BCCI must prioritise man management in choosing next coach

Indian spin great and former skipper Anil Kumble has also applied for the post of India coach. A total of 57 applicants are in the race for the job.

Why Ali overshadows Sachin and other sporting greats

Why Muhammad Ali overshadows Tendulkar and other sporting greats

Muhammad Ali is the one whose fight with the establishment and standing up to the wrongs of a society and a nation, has diminished many other legendary sportsmen.

Twenty20 impact felt in more than the way cricket is being played

Young and aware: Time for Anurag Thakur to usher in reforms at BCCI

Just as he has accelerated his way up the ladder in politics, Thakur has done the same in the cricket establishment, which many consider a far tougher arena to succeed in than the political battlefield.

Azhar’s story needs to be told in all its various human shades

A film driven by a single-point agenda that not only absolves him of all charges but makes him a superman-like character is a bit too ludicrous to digest.

Virat Kohli, the dictionary meaning of perfection

In an age of brute force and violent strokes, Kohli is a touch player who generates power from his powerful wrists and that perfect timing of the bat hitting the ball that defies explanation.

No match against the law, BCCI forced to accept cricket reforms

Cricket governance in India is at the cusp of a revolutionary change