Regardless of what MS Dhoni achieves as captain, his detractors always tend to dismiss his triumphs as products of luck. Arunabha Sengupta takes a scientific look at the supposed luck factor, discusses why this group-think persists.
Friday, June 29, 2012
A scientific look at Mahendra Singh Dhoni's supposed luck factor
Regardless of what MS Dhoni achieves as captain, his detractors always tend to dismiss his triumphs as products of luck. Arunabha Sengupta takes a scientific look at the supposed luck factor, discusses why this group-think persists.
Stats across eras 8: Spin and pace domination over decades
By Arunabha SenguptaStatistics may not tell the whole story, but numbers are the footprints and tell-tale evidences left by cricketers across time. Having looked at the best bowlers down the decades, Arunabha Sengupta now turns his attention to how spin and pace coexisted over the years, and how spin bowling was evidently affected by one-day cricket.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Stats across eras 7: Larwood, Lillee, Murali - bowlers across decades
Statistics may not tell the whole story, but do trace the footprints left by the cricketers across time. Having analysed the batsmen, Arunabha Sengupta now looks at how bowlers performed over the decades in Tests.Wednesday, June 27, 2012
June 27, 1899: When a 13-year old Indian-born compiled highest score in all
On this day 113 years ago, a 13-year old orphan schoolboy’s batting marathon ended when the last man was out, leaving him unbeaten on 628! Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the epic innings which still stands as the highest recorded score in any grade of cricket.Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Brothers-in-arms 3: Azharuddin & Malik - linked by flair, figures, faults & fickle-fame
This is Part 3 of a series in which two different cricketers are paired who could easily be mistaken for siblings in the way they went about their game. Read on for more on the soul-siblings of the gentleman's game! In this episode, Arunabha Sengupta writes about the two men related by fortune and finesse are Mohammad Azharuddin and Saleem Malik.Cricketing Rifts 22 - Harbhajan Singh & Andrew Symonds at the Monkeygate
In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the bitterness between Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder Andrew SymondsMonday, June 25, 2012
June 25, 1932: When India rattled England in their memorable Test debut at
80 years ago, at Lord’s, India took her first bold step in Test cricket, and made the small world of cricket sit up and take notice. Arunabha Sengupta revisits India’s first day in the international arena when CK Nayudu’s men actually had the better of the exchanges against a very strong English side.I will miss this Eden Gardens crowd in Test matches - or will I?
Eden Gardens filled to the brim, excitement electric and passion indomitable as Kolkata Knight Riders took on Pune Warriors India. However, when the action shifts to five-day games, the fans will disappear, leaving the stands silent and bare. Arunabha Sengupta wonders whether he is going to miss this Eden crowd during Test matches. Sunday, June 24, 2012
Commentators in cricket history - 5: Brian Johnston - Legend, laughter and
Today we celebrate the birth centenary of Brian Johnston, the heart of Test Match Special, the voice that reached homes around cricket playing countries carrying warmth and cheer. In happy coincidence with his 100th birthday, Arunabha Sengupta covers the career of the legend in the fifth episode of the series.Friday, June 22, 2012
Commentators in cricket history - 4: John Arlott - the master
Policeman, poet, wine-connoisseur, author, part time politician, anti-apartheid spokesperson and word renowned host of dinner parties - John Arlott was also the soul of cricket commentary for over three decades. In the fourth part of the series on cricket commentators, Arunabha Sengupta covers the career of the Basingstoke legend. Cricketing Rifts 21: Holding's kick and Croft's shoulder charge
In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the most acrimonious Test series ever, the West Indies in New Zealand 1979-80. Thursday, June 21, 2012
Commentators in cricket history - 3: Rex Alston
With his scholastic background, Rex Alston was clear, accurate and very much 'on the ball’ during his many years of covering Test matches. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the commentator whose calm sanity balanced the idiosyncrasies of the likes of John Arlott and Brian Johnston.Cricketing Rifts 20: Fall from Grace - Misdemeanours of the father of cricket
In this episode of the Rifts series Arunabha Sengupta looks at the ugly confrontations during the not so innocent days of WG Grace.Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 19 - 'Best umpire' or 'best cheat'?
In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the intrigue and drama surrounding the English cricketers of 1955 and umpire Idris Begh.Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 18 - Kim Hughes vs Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee & Rodney M
In thisepisode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the long drawn out battle between Kim Hughes and the famous troika of Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh.Monday, June 18, 2012
The day when the fireworks of Dilip Vengsarkar and Kapil Dev lit up Lord's
Thirty years ago, India had resumed their second innings after the rest day with innings defeat looming over the horizon. However, when they did go down it was with flashing swords and fireworks in a spectacular blaze of glory. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the special knocks of Dilip Vengsarkar and Kapil Dev on that day.Cricketing Rifts 17 - The Sourav Ganguly-Greg Chappell War
In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the bad blood between Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell. Sunday, June 17, 2012
June 17, 1921: Neville Cardus gets married & writes about a game that wasn't
On June 17, 1921, the doyen of cricket writers, Neville Cardus, started the longest partnership of his life. Arunabha Sengupta relives the occasion, reflecting on the enchanting Cardus anecdote about the county match that was not really played that day – and some more tales of the legend.Friday, June 15, 2012
Commentators in cricket history - 2: BBC's Howard Marshall
Howard Marshall, along with BBC director Seymour de Lotbinière, formed the equivalent of Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe in the art of cricket commentary, setting the tone and benchmarks that would be followed by BBC and Test Match Special for years to come. In the second part of the series on broadcasters, Arunabha Sengupta replays the first popular English voice of ball by ball commentary. Thursday, June 14, 2012
Interview: New Duckworth-Lewis version doesn't work for ODIs & T20s: VJD
V.Jayadevan, creator of the VJD system, points out glaring shortcomings of Wincoda 3.0, the latest version of the Duckworth-Lewis method. Jayadevan also speaks of his trials, tribulations, moments of ecstasy and depths of despair – in an exclusive interview with CricketCountry’s Arunabha Sengupta.Cricketing Rifts 16: India's problems with Steve Bucknor & Mike Denness
In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at some of the most famous feuds of cricket. In this episode he looks at the last two decades when Umpires and Match Referees stopped officiating and got into the game.Cricketing Rifts 15: Vaseline controversies that soured India-England relations
In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta revisits the famed Vaseline wars that rubbed the gloss off the noble game. Wednesday, June 13, 2012
ICC's inflexible attitude towards VJD is most disappointing
ICC has once again rejected the claims of V Jayadevan (VJD) and stuck to the Duckworth-Lewis system of target revision. Arunabha Sengupta looks at the two methods and explains why VJD would have been a better bet at least in T20.Cricketing Rifts 14: When West Indies made Greig's life miserable for using
In this episode of the Cricketing Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at how the West Indians hounded and humiliated Tony Grieg for his insensitive choice of words.Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 13: Ranatunga vs Warne; Steve Waugh vs Ambrose; Azhar vs S
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at some of the most famous feuds of the 1990s. Monday, June 11, 2012
Commentators in cricket history - 1: Alan McGilvray - Voice of the game in
On June 11, 1927, 28 days after an experiment by BBC featuring Reverend Frank Gillingham, Pelham Warner made the first ball-by-ball radio broadcast from Lord's. Since then, several relentless voices bringing us ball by ball updates have gone on to become much loved household names. In this new series, Arunabha Sengupta pays homage to some of the greatest figures in the history of broadcasting. To start with, he tunes in to the voice of Australian broadcaster Alan McGilvrayCricketing Rifts 12: Imran vs Miandad; Akram vs Waqar; Asif vs Sarfraz ...
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at some of the most famous altercations in Pakistan cricket.Sunday, June 10, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 11 - Multiple issues around Boycott and Botham
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the ugly relationship that persisted throughout the interactions between Geoff Boycott and Ian Botham.Read more on Cricketcountry ›Saturday, June 9, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 10: Sunil Gavaskar versus Bishan Bedi, Kapil Dev & Dilip Vengsarkar
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at Sunil Gavaskar's legendary feuds with Kapil Dev, Bishan Bedi and Dilip VengsarkarRead more on cricketcountry ›Thursday, June 7, 2012
It's 60 years since that nightmarish day when India were reduced to 0 for four
On June 7, 1952 at Headingley, debutant Fred Trueman unleashed a spell from hell, and the Indian scoreboard at one stage read 0 for four. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the day of batting nightmare.Cricketing Rifts 9: Ian Chappell's nasty duels with Greig, Waugh & across a
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the many duels of Ian Chappell.Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 8: 1960s - Chuckers, cheats and Boycott
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at some of the most famous feuds of cricket in the 1960s.Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Rahul Dravid will walk into an all-time great Indian XI
With a roll call of greatness from Vijay Hazare to VVS Laxman, the pool of Indian middle-order batsmen is an embarrassment of riches. However, Arunabha Sengupta expects Rahul Dravid to walk into any All Time Indian XI.Monday, June 4, 2012
June 4 - Agony for Sonny Ramadhin, ecstasy for Shane Warne
On this day 55 years ago, Colin Cowdrey and Peter May used their pads to frustrate and blunt the spin of Sonny Ramadhin and put on a gigantic partnership. However, spin struck back exactly 36 years later when Mike Gatting was bowled by the “Ball of the Century” from Shane Warne. Arunabha Sengupta takes a look at the mixed day for spinners.
Cricketing Rifts 7 - Sparks in Indian cricket that lit up a drab 50s & 60s
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at the sparks in Indian cricket during the 50s and 60s.Sunday, June 3, 2012
Hansie Cronje: Destiny didn't get him a second chance to redeem himself
Ten years ago an AirQuarius cargo flight crashed on Cradock Peak in the Outeniqua mountain range, ending the tumultuous life of tainted South African captain Hansie Cronje. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the fateful day that turned out to be the last of an almost noble life.Cricketing Rifts 6 - Ian Chappell vs Botham & other showdowns
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this episode of the Rifts series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at some of the most famous fisticuffs witnessed in cricket.Saturday, June 2, 2012
Cricketing Rifts 5: 1950s - Many mutinies against the skippers
The Dhoni-Sehwag rift may have been true or blown out of proportion by the media. However, far from being unique, discords such as this have been commonplace in the history of the game. In this series, Arunabha Sengupta looks at some of the most famous feuds of cricket. This episode deals with the rifts witnessed in the 1950s