sports Archives

Thank You, IPL, the Only Dose of the “Old Normal” in an Uncertain World

In the last few months, battling with the pandemic had made life dull, bleak, and monotonous – a version of same shit different day. And then one spot of light returned to warm our cold, weary hearts. Sport entered our lives once again, injecting a dose of familiarity in an “uncertain” world. Our pre-Covid schedule may have become haywire, but we know for sure that the IPL match for the day begins at 7.30 pm.

Hardik Rajgor July 26, 2016

Sports

Akshay Kumar, Gold, and the Case for Not Mixing Politics and Sports

The World Cup match between Switzerland and Serbia ended with an important question: Should politics and sport mix? It’s a question we should ask ourselves, on the brink of witnessing another hyper-nationalistic sport film, the Akshay Kumar-starrer, Gold.

Manik Sharma July 24, 2016

Sports

Arré Checklist: How to Make Women’s Cricket Great… Again

Here’s how BCCI can disprove those who insist that a woman’s league doesn’t make financial sense, or that women don’t have the physical prowess to match up to the testosterone-fuelled aggression we expect from the modern T20 format.

Kahini Iyer July 14, 2016

Sports

Is IPL Living In Its Own Bubble?

In the era of physical isolation, does a sporting event that brings people together need to mentally isolate itself from the devastation caused by the pandemic? As the country gasps for breath, it is too much to expect our cricketing heroes to amplify an SOS tweet or do something that shows they care – anything that’ll tone down the tone-deafness of the tournament.

Rupha Ramani July 12, 2016

Sports

Growing and Grieving Alongside Roger Federer

For two decades, significant moments in my life have seemed to intersect with those in Federer’s. Even his retirement comes at a time of definite change for me. We were in a sense, meant to grow older together.

Palash Kulkarni July 11, 2016

Sports

Mithali Raj and Virat Kohli: The Batting Partnership Team India Needs

Cricket and its players would benefit from mixed-gender teams. If players like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Poonam Raut were on the same team as Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Hardik Pandya, they’d be eligible for the same lucrative contracts, playing for the same crowds, and benefitting from the same level of exposure.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 11, 2016

Sports

Test Cricket is Dying… But Why is it Taking So Long?

While keeping pace with ODIs and T20 matches feels like a breezy walk in the park, following Test matches is like slogging through quicksand. Maybe it’s time we did away with the antiquated format for good.

Jackie Thakkar July 10, 2016

Features

Arré Checklist: What Your IPL Team Says About You

If you are still part of the Whistle Podu Parishad, you are a loyalist who doesn’t switch allegiances even when your Captain’s hair turns grey, while a true Kings XI fan is just here for a good time, not for a long time.

Arré Bench July 9, 2016

Pop Culture

Manchester United V Manchester City: Jose Mourinho’s Mission Impossible

In an ironic role-reversal, the former bridesmaid Manchester City has now become the bride. Pep Guardiola’s men have probably embodied the Manchester United ethos more than Jose Mourinho would care to admit.

Aditya Rangarajan June 30, 2016

POV

U-17 World Cup and the Loneliness of Indian Football

Being a footballer in India is an exercise in loss. It comes burdened with aggressive cynicism. And the U-17 World Cup might match up to the spectacle of the IPL, but I wonder what it will do for the sport.

Manik Sharma June 29, 2016