The jury has voted, the verdict’s out and this being January that can only mean that it’s time to all-hail Lionel Messi again. Since two-thirds of the voters comprise national team captains and coaches and with 41.6% of the total votes going to Messi, there really should have been no debate about an unprecedented fourth Ballon D’Or for the peerless ball wizard of this generation if not of all time. Read more

Although their fans and media always stoke the rivalry, India and Pakistan players always show a healthy respect to each other. With most of them speaking the same language, sledging is almost unknown despite the intense pressure they play their games under. They at best rib each other on the field in a language both sets of players understand. Read more

A confidential order from who-can’t-be-refused is just a click away from being sent to Nagpur, the venue for the last Test. This is how it reads: Should England survive Kolkata too, slip in some burglars into the England nets in the guise of net bowlers to steal all their bats. Read more

Turning tracks have been the running theme of England’s tour of India thus far. And by the looks of it, most of their batsmen don’t just have technical problems facing up to India’s spinners on slow pitches, they have so far struggled to mentally tune themselves to stay patient. Read more

For the next one month, spin will be the most used and debated term as India look to tame England in a four-Test series at home. Since skipper MS Dhoni gave a call for preparing turning tracks at home, there seems to be an anxiety to hit the visiting batsmen on dry surfaces that crack and throw up puffs of dust at least in the first half of the five-day encounter, if not on the opening day itself. Read more

In 2011 the Buddh International Circuit may have looked like a work in progress with little for spectators to do at the venue besides watch the racing and put up with horrific traffic snarls to and from the venue; but it didn’t seem to matter. Read more

Unlike his usual uneventful run, there is a flurry of activity and much excitement in the current domestic season, which will hit top gear when the Ranji Trophy tournament kicks off on Friday. Normally shunned by our India players, who are either busy turning out for the country or enjoying a break before plunging into action afresh, many of them are this time are hoping to iron out their flaws before the England Test series kicks off mid November. Read more

I’ll break up this blog into two parts. One is a VERY short and concise guide to what all you can expect in terms of off-track activities during the build-up to the Indian GP. And the other is a VERY long-winded guide to what can be expected on the track. Read more

We are in the middle of a Twenty20 run. The World T20 has just concluded in Sri Lanka and the Champions League Twenty20 tournament featuring the leading clubs is currently on in South Africa. Read more

This is not a question about on-track prowess or talent. Lewis Hamilton has proved himself to be not only fast but one of the most naturally talented racing drivers that Formula One has ever seen. Read more