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Wherever historians may place Roger Federer in the tennis pantheon, he ranks No. 1 in the hearts of the sporting masses this century. For 24 years, the kinetic beauty of Federer’s game, his passion for competition, and his common touch enthralled and endeared us.

In this issue

15-10-202217 STORIES

Yuvraj Singh lines up for a big hit off Stuart Broad in the 2007 World T20. Thanks to his six sixes in the over, he reached his 50 off just 12 deliveries. It remains the fastest fifty in international cricket across formats.

Yuvraj’s sixes, Brathwaite’s blitzes, and more: 15 best moments from the T20 World Cup

When the inaugural T20 World Cup — it was called World T20 then — was held in South Africa in 2007, the shortest format of cricket was taking its baby

Lionheart: Yuvraj Singh celebrates the dismissal of Australia’s Michael Hussey during the semifinal. Yuvraj’s 30-ball 70 had made the difference in a nail-biting affair.

‘Every match had a hero’: Yuvraj Singh, Lalchand Rajput relive India’s win in the 2007 World T20

India’s win in the inaugural T20 World Cup (then known as the World T20) 15 years ago marked the start of a nation’s love affair with T20 cricket. Two

Making waves: Earlier this year, Dangmei Grace (left) signed up to play for Nasaf Qarshi, an Uzbek club. Grace is one of three Indian women footballers who have earned moves abroad in recent months.

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Fresh impetus to women’s football

Eight members of the Indian squad that played the U-17 men’s World Cup five years ago are being moulded into the national team’s core for the next dec

In unknown territory: This will be the first time that the Indian women’s football team participates in the U-17 Women’s World Cup. All of the team’s matches in the group stage will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Formidable challenge awaits India in Group A

India will look up to Lynda Kom Serto to make an impact in the U-17 World Cup, but its defence will have to tighten up; USA, possessing the record-bre

Lynda Kom Serto won the Golden Boot award at the SAFF U-18 Championship in Jamshedpur in March this year.

Lynda Kom, Clara Luvanga, and more: Stars to watch out for at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Several participants in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India next month ooze talent and could make an impact in the tournament. Here are five players t

Alexia Putellas has been in excellent goalscoring form for Barcelona in the last two years.

Alexia Putellas, Alexandra Popp, and more: Players who rose to fame after playing the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Ahead of the seventh edition of the Women’s Under-17 World Cup, we take a look at some of the present-day stars who excelled in previous U-17 World Cu

K. L Rahul celebrates his half-century during the first T20I between India and Australia in Mohali. He reached the milestone of 2000 T20I runs during his swashbuckling innings of 55.

Statsman: K. L. Rahul fourth-quickest to 2000 T20I runs, Bhuvneshwar now has most wickets in a calendar year

Stretching every sinew: Thanks to discipline in fitness and nutrition, Roger Federer was able to get the most out of his playing career.

Robust nutrition plan key to career longevity

Nutrition plays a significant role in prolonging one’s sports career. To get 20 years of service out of your athletic body, please begin to eat scient

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen (in pic) pulled out of a tournament after losing and later in another he resigned after just one move. The conclusion was: he thought his opponent on both occasions, the American Hans Niemann, 19, was cheating.

Carlsen, Niemann and cheating in chess

Cheating in chess is rare, but not unknown. With computers getting more sophisticated, cheating in chess will get more sophisticated too.

Superb form: “Definitely winning Grand Slams is where I want to be one day in my career. This is what I’m working for, to be the best in what I do,” says young Linda Fruhvirtova, who won the Chennai Open title.

Chennai Open: A new Czech star on the horizon

Linda Fruhvirtova, a 17-year-old from the Czech Republic, emerged as the champion by playing a power-packed game and at the same time showed enough ta

Suryakumar Yadav...“I have started training much more, have started a good diet with a good nutritionist, so everything is on track right now with my game.”

Suryakumar Yadav on training mantra, playing for India, batting positions, and more

Interview: Maverick batter Suryakumar Yadav says he loves to bat at No. 4 for India but never takes his place in the national team for granted.

Toast of the nation: Dilip Vengsarkar with the player of the series trophy and a bottle of champagne at Edgbaston in July, 1986, after India’s 2-0 series win against England. Vengsarkar scored 360 runs in three Tests at an average of 90. Between 1986 and 1988, he scored 1800 runs in 20 Tests, with eight centuries.

Wednesdays with WV Raman

Dilip Vengsarkar on West Indian fast bowlers, helmets, Virat Kohli and more

Dilip Vengsarkar made an impact on Indian cricket as a batter in the 1970s and 80s and as chairman of selectors from 2006 to 2008. Vengsarkar, now 66,

Well-deserved win: Ajinkya Rahane receives the Duleep Trophy from R. S. Ramasaamy, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, in Coimbatore. Thanks in main to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, West Zone turned it around after conceding a lead of 57 runs in the first innings.

Duleep Trophy: West Zone triumphs in a gruelling test of skill, temperament and conduct

Egos were humbled and lessons learnt. The Duleep Trophy, involving some of the top players from different States, reclaimed a slice of its pride and p

Lots of love: Switzerland’s Roger Federer does a lap of honour after playing his final match, a doubles with Spain’s Rafael Nadal of Team Europe against Team world in the 2022 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London.

Roger Federer: Tennis God and man of the people

Unlike some giants of sport, Roger Federer never sought out controversy, but he never feared debating the great tennis issues of his era either. And,

Standing ovation: Jhulan Goswami’s popularity can be seen by the fact that even the England team gave her a guard of honour when she came in to bat in her final match.

Sunil Gavaskar column: Jhulan Goswami, a stalwart of women’s cricket

Jhulan Goswami has inspired a generation of women to take up cricket. She showed that Indian women can also bowl fast and take wickets in all kinds of

One for the cameras: Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring Tottenham’s fourth goal during the Premier League contest against Leicester City on September 17. By ending his goal-drought with a hat-trick, Son silenced his critics.

European Leagues: Son Heung-min sizzles for Spurs, Neymar and Messi at it again

Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick in Tottenham Hotspur’s 6-2 win over Leicester City. In Bundesliga, 17-year-old forward Youssoufa Moukoko made history

The permanent ban on saliva comes into effect on October 1.

World of cricket: England provides stiff resistance to Pakistan, ICC bans saliva use permanently

England and Pakistan have won two matches each in a seven-match T20I series. Harry Brook’s contributions with the bat were vital to England’s two wins

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