Posted inSports
When Spain Almost Lost Control of Morocco… Yet Again
Morocco’s freedom struggle had a lot in common with last night’s World Cup match against a former coloniser, Spain.
Posted inSports
How Aging Legends Like Dhoni, Chris Gayle, Imran Tahir Make All the Difference in a World Cup
Does largest stage in world cricket have place for an aging legend, or is the gentleman’s game the domain of young men at this elite level? The older players at the tournament keep fighting, for pride, for their dreams, and to prove the critics wrong.
Posted inSports
The Silver Lining to Mo Salah’s World Cup Exit
With Egypt unlikely to advance further than the group stage, Mo Salah’s World Cup campaign will come to an end on Monday, leaving millions of fans heartbroken. As a pick-me-up, here are three silver linings we can find in this result.
Posted inSports
Why We Should All Mourn the Decline of Australian Cricket
Ravi Shastri said winning the Test series against Australia is bigger than the World Cup win of 1983. To be honest, it isn’t even the best performance by an Indian team Down Under, at least in the modern era. That would be 2003, when the Aussies had a team actually worth beating.
Posted inSports
Will an Underdog Like Mexico Rise This World Cup?
A good underdog story often feels therapeutic, not just because it offers the pleasures of watching dynasties and reputations crumble. But because it is also the kind of raw story we want to live and tell. No better place to witness it than the World Cup.
Posted inSports
She Pretended to Be a Boy: What It Takes for Indian Women Cricketers to Make it to the T20 World Cup
Sixteen-year-old Shafali Verma is turning heads at the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup. But only a couple of years ago, she had to cut her hair short and pretend to be a boy to play cricket. It takes a lot to be a woman sportsperson in India – fight gender stereotypes, and sometimes patiently wait for your brother to finish playing, so you can have a go.
Posted inSports
We Cheer for Iceland, But Why Are We Clueless About the Rise of Real Kashmir FC?
This year, the tiny country of Iceland is grabbing headlines for its World Cup debut. And while there’s nothing abhorrent in finding inspiration in Iceland’s rise, it undermines the heroism of teams like Real Kashmir FC, who, despite the modesty of the game in our country, not only dream, but also deliver.
Posted inPOV
Why the Neighbourhood Men’s Salon is My Favourite Place to Watch a World Cup Game
If I’m expecting a good game of cricket, I head to the men’s salon in my gully. These gatherings are simple affairs – there’s no one flaunting an expensive jersey; there are no stands named after cricketing greats. It’s just a musty shop, where emotions run high and complaints that someone is stepping on your toes are not welcome.
Posted inSports
Why the World Cheers for Underdogs Like Croatia and Kevin Anderson
It doesn’t matter what game is being played, an unlikely upset burns brighter than an easy victory. No wonder then, that anyone who wasn’t French rooted for Croatia at the World Cup.
Posted inSports
Sunil Chhetri: The Man Who Made India Fall for Football
Sunil Chhetri has been providing fans with magical moments throughout his career, it’s just that we haven’t been around to witness them. He’s more than a “Goal Machine” and “Captain Fantastic”, he is the man who has inspired an indifferent crowd to finally pay attention to Indian football.