| Cover Story |
Andrew Strauss and company may be enjoying a perfect English summer, toppling India from its Test pedestal but in Rahul Dravid, they have found a man with enormous will to battle it out, against swing and pace that breeds doubt and freezes feet. Swann said that Dravid was the most coveted wicket for his team. Decisive feet, soft hands, watching the ball late, using the crease and his most trusted ally — patience — have all helped Dravid remain in a rarefied zone while his peers have struggled, writes K. C. Vijaya Kumar.
| Column |
How good are Strauss' stars?
We can debate for an eternity whether the present members of 2011 are better than the Ashes winners of 2005, Brearley's brightest in 1977-81, or the last team to lead the world around 1979 or the stars of the middle 1950s. They are just as good and that one day we will have no trouble calling them the best of all time, writes Ted Corbett.
| Cricket |
He's fun in the commentary box
Shane Warne is constantly baiting Nasser Hussain and winning all their exchanges. Warne can't say enough nice things about Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and V. V. S. Laxman on air, while being less than complimentary about some of his former team-mates. Over to S. Ram Mahesh.
INTERVIEW
‘I'm a big fan of Andy Roberts'“I just try and perform wherever I get a chance and whenever they have to pick me, they'll pick me. It's not in my control after all,” says Varun Aaron. The 21-year-old pace bowler touched 153 kph in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final.
| Billiards & Snooker |
A Sheffield brand of snookerIn Pankaj Advani, however, the sport finds its biggest champion. Still only 26, Advani has, as his Wikipedia page claims, probably ‘achieved more than anyone else at this age in his sport.' The Bangalore-based cueist strolled his way to the billiards title (his fifth on the national stage), and despite the format (150-up and 100-up frames instead of the time-format) encouraging upsets, never looked troubled. Over to Raakesh Natraj.
| Football |
Aguero dazzles on debut
The Argentina forward's heroics turned what might have been a laboured season-opening win over promoted Swansea into a 4-0 rout at the Etihad Stadium.
LET'S BE FRANK
Will the real Torres stand up
Where is the talent who scored the only goal for Spain to win the 2008 European Championship and in 2009-2010 was the most popular name on replica Premier League shirts sold across the globe? The season may only just have begun but the future of new Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, hinges on him coming up with the answer to that question. By Frank Malley.
KICKING AROUND
Magpies in trouble
Newcastle United is going through troubled times. The club has sold three of its biggest players, and the only one left with any quality is also disgruntled and facing the wrath. Over to Brian Glanville.
| Chess |
Vikramjit needs supportDespite no sponsor backing him, Vikramjit Singh has come a long way. “As age catches up, Vikram needs to achieve IM and GM norms quickly. If he's given sponsorship support, which gives him access to coaching, time to practice and overseas international exposure, I see no reason why he cannot become a GM,” says Grandmaster Ramesh. By A. Joseph Antony.
| Hockey |
‘A karma that I have to repay'“India's had a wonderful heritage of hockey. If we can lift the profile of hockey in India, a lot of young kids can look up to the Sandeeps and the Sardaras. It gives them a hero, like in cricket with Tendulkar and all those guys. To play for your country is a wonderful thing. If you can give them an ambition and someone to look up to, they will tend to do something about it instead of just grizzle,” says the Indian coach, Michael Nobbs, in a chat with Shreedutta Chidananda
