South Africa Archives

The Sweet Pain of Watching India Play South Africa

Watching the India-South Africa series is going to be like drinking throughout the night knowing fully well there is a terrible hangover waiting for you the next morning. But I will do it anyway.

Shashank Tiwari July 26, 2016

Sports

How Much Cricket is Too Much Cricket?

Virat Kohli has brought up the issue of how he and his teammates are overworked. When workers are overworked, it’s a labour law issue. In cricket, we call it entertainment.

Hardik Rajgor July 13, 2016

Sports

Steve Smith is No Monster – In the New, Conscience-Free Version of Cricket

We need a new breed of cricketer for the new, callous version of the gentleman’s game. Ball tampering is only the start. Steve Smiths of the future will resort to all-out sabotage, even leaving chilly powder in their opponents’ crotch guards before the game.

Dushyant Shekhawat June 21, 2016

Sports

An Open Letter to the Man Who Will Replace AB de Villiers

Expecting to find a replacement for AB de Villiers is like wanting to find true love on Shaadi.com. To replace him, you need to be the batting backbone of the team, set new records in almost every match, and unite nations in grief during your retirement.

Jackie Thakkar June 18, 2016

Sports

What Will It Take for South Africa to Lift the World Cup Curse?

When something is repeated over and over again, it starts gaining credence. Today, South Africa’s World Cup “curse” is something every youngster coming in with dreams in his eyes, just has to deal with and accept. Maybe it has even become a part of the country’s sporting psyche that cannot be shaken off, no matter what happens.

Rupha Ramani June 14, 2016

Coronavirus

What Do Coronavirus, Spanish Flu, and Ebola Have in Common? Terrible Timing

Epidemics like Coronavirus or Swine Flu are always unwelcome, but what makes them even more deadly is their timing. As the world faces the possibility of an economic slowdown, an outbreak of this scale is the last thing we need.

Adhirath Sethi May 27, 2016

Sports

Is This the Most Predictable Cricket World Cup Ever?

Halfway through cricket’s showpiece event, the grim reality is becoming clearer: the tournament, despite its magnitude, is as damp and predictable as the rains that are constantly lashing it. There are no last-over finishes, no upsets, just the top four teams cruising ahead.

Pawan May 4, 2016

Sports

Virat Kohli: Cricketer of the Year, Shuffler of Players

A phenomenal batsman in all formats of the game, Virat Kohli’s decision-making as a captain often leaves a lot to be desired. After our performance in South Africa, we can’t help but wonder what if India had decided to pick Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Rohit Sharma. What if Bhuvneshwar Kumar was retained?

Shashank Tiwari April 26, 2016

Sports

World Cup 2019: Ben Stokes, The Man Who Can Make Miracles Happen

With a performance that will go down in history in the World Cup final against New Zealand, England’s Ben Stokes infused ecstasy and euphoria befitting the occasion. The World Cup belonged to England. The World Cup belonged to Ben Stokes. And late last night, Stokes ascended to the cricketing pantheon.

Parth Pandya April 3, 2016

Sports

India vs South Africa Was a Reminder of the Beauty Of A Low-Scoring Cricket Match

The low-scoring game between India and South Africa was a brilliant endorsement of good old ODI cricket. It was, in the truest sense, a fair contest between bat and ball — the way cricket was always meant to be played.

Hardik Rajgor March 25, 2016