Celebrity Columnists - Cricket

Kotla is my showpiece venue

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:56:10 GMT

We are a happy dressing room as we are back at the top of the table. We are playing good cricket and backing each other up.

When Wankhede lost its voice

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:01:03 GMT

At the team hotel in Mumbai, there was complete frenzy. Harassed security staff struggled to control screaming fans, who pushed and shoved to get close to the stars, all the time furiously clicking pictures on their smartphones. Amrit Mathur writes.

Sticking to basics can be productive

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:28:03 GMT

It seems the sky is the limit. The two games on Tuesday saw big totals being chased down. Sourav Ganguly writes. Main men

Delhi's galloping start is a revelation

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:13:49 GMT

While the Delhi Daredevils have sped away with three victories in their four games, the Deccan Chargers are yet to notch up their first. Mark Waugh writes.

Rotation policy is the way to go

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:59:02 GMT

It is too early to start looking seriously at the league table with just two points separating the first team from the seventh as I write. It's also far too early to start counting the wins and losses, writes Jacques Kallis.

The Jeetendra in the pack in this IPL show

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:45:22 GMT

Things will become difficult for Mumbai Indians if they continue their over-dependence on Sachin. Indrajit Hazra writes.

This season could lift IPL to next level

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:02:44 GMT

All these results are important as they will help generate more interest amongst the fans, and will keep the teams and players on their toes. This year could possibly take the IPL to the next level. Sourav Ganguly writes.

Bowlers are back playing lead roles

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:34:27 GMT

Fast bowlers are not only making their presence felt but also winning matches on their own. Aakash Chopra writes.

Missed chances not an excuse for loss

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:06:27 GMT

Opportunities did come our way, some of them at crucial times, but we failed to latch on to them. Sourav Ganguly writes.

Quality all-rounders give Dhoni multiple options

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:03:34 GMT

We are still getting over the win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But we cannot celebrate for long because we have a game today against the Pune Warriors. Stephen Fleming writes.

What Mohali taught us about IPL-5

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:49:01 GMT

The IPL, no matter how entertaining and democratic it may be, reaching out as it does to people beyond cricket boffins, will forever be more visible as a tournament played by famous players who have peaked a while ago and are delaying their future as cricket commentators and less Red Bulled companion-pundits to Navjot Sidhu. Indrajit Hazra writes.

Sourav's street-smart ways can work well

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:43:26 GMT

Sourav Ganguly is an excellent tactician and while his batting may not live up to the heady days of the previous decade, his street-smart ways could actually work well for the new franchise. Mark Waugh writes.

Loyally divided between Dada and the Knights

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:57:25 GMT

The intensity of Kolkata's relationship with Ganguly, its penchant for cosmic, comic hyperbole when it comes to the player, is unique. Soumya Bhattacharya writes.

Mantra for success: Regular training and mental toughness

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:22:59 GMT

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle was surprised by the sudden downpour hours before the start on Tuesday. "I thought I was in Sri Lanka," he said. The weather changed from bright and hot to dark and windy in an instant. Amrit Mathur writes.

This season, teams avoiding tight finishes

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:00:29 GMT

Four years in the IPL have taught me that the difference in skills between the franchises is less than 5%, 10% at the most. Jacques Kallis writes.

Don't make Yuvraj rush into comeback

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:27:29 GMT

Yuvi is back after prolonged treatment abroad and I wish him good health. A lot of people are speculating about his return to the cricket field, but my suggestion would be that he should monitor his health first. Sourav Ganguly writes.

High price paid for Jadeja justified

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:22:49 GMT

It was a very good win for us at Vizag over the Deccan Chargers. It was a much better performance than in our opening game. It was very important that we made some improvements and got our first points in the competition. Stephen Fleming writes.

India were fated for short stay on top

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:53:52 GMT

Following 25 years of domination by first the West Indies and then Australia, the top ranking in Test cricket has suddenly become a slip zone. Ian Chappell writes.

Switch hit or not, ICC must provide clarity in its rulings

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:04:46 GMT

Even though it’s believed Pakistan batsman Mushtaq Mohammad was the first to play the reverse-sweep back in 1970s, it took an eternity for this extravagant shot to be a part of the modern cricketer's repertoire.

Don’t go overboard, long journey ahead

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:52:44 GMT

It's always nice to start a tournament with a win, especially against a good side like the Mumbai Indians and that too on their home ground. It sounds so funny when I say Mumbai to be an away match. It has been my home for 15 years when I played in national colours. But, the uniqueness to this tournament has made Pune my home. Sourav Ganguly writes.

No point complaining about IPL’s ‘extra’ commitments

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:48:39 GMT

The journey into the unknown is over. All the initial sense of 'new territory being explored' has gone. Every year, there are new players getting their first experience of the IPL and, for them, it will be a brand new experience. Jacques Kallis writes.

RCB shouldn't take Daredevils lightly

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:16:05 GMT

On paper, the Royal Challengers Bangalore seem to be a stronger side than the Delhi Daredevils but didn't we all think that was the case before the first game too. Mark Waugh writes.

Monkey off Viru's back after win over KKR

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:13:21 GMT

One done, fifteen more to go, said Virender Sehwag to his mates once Delhi got over the line in Kolkata. His relief, and joy, was understandable considering the Daredevils' dreadful run last season. Amrit Mathur writes.

Disappointed, but we are focussed on next game

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:10:29 GMT

We were disappointed with our performance in the first game Wednesday. We are perennially slow starters, so this year we were looking to start off on a good note. Stephen Fleming writes.

Will be interesting to see how Chennai wicket behaves

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:00:55 GMT

Mumbai Indians are off to a good start but I am sure neither the people around the team nor their supporters expected victory to come so easily. Sourav Ganguly writes.