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Lionel Messi has been the superstar of this tournament, dragging and daring a team of good but not exceptional individuals to be better than the sum of its parts. The spirit of the collective has been Argentina’s biggest strength on its way to become the world champion after 36 years.

In this issue

07-01-202318 STORIES

Ishan Kishan scored the fastest double ton in ODIs.

Statsman: Ishan Kishan breaks numerous records with magnificent double ton

The southpaw set numerous records by scoring 210 (131b) for India against Bangladesh in the third ODI at Chattogram.

Finishing on top: Joshna Chinappa and Abhay Singh with their trophies.

Senior Squash Nationals: Joshna Chinappa’s dominance continues

Joshna Chinappa outplayed teenager Anahat Singh to clinch her 19th Senior National title.

Winners all: (From left) Nihal Sarin (Rapid, men), Arjun Erigaisi (Blitz, men), Anna Ushenina (Rapid, women) and R. Vaishali (Blitz, women).

Tata Steel Chess India: Equal pay, inclusion of a women’s competition make it special

The focus was on the women at the fourth edition of the Tata Steel Chess India. It was for the first time that a women’s event was being conducted in

Slippery slope: S&C coaches are generally patient and tolerant to criticism. They are known for developing good relationships with the players or clients, and for their PR skills. However, when burnt out, they may be uncharacteristically irritated and frustrated on even trivial matters.

Fitnesswise: Burnout signs for Strength & Conditioning coaches

The demand and expectation on S&C coaches can be a bit unnerving, leading at times to burnout. It is important to be aware of it and to understand wha

Not in the right state of mind: Johan Cruyff (left) of the Netherlands in action during the World Cup in 1974. A possible kidnapping bid at gun point forced him to withdraw from the 1978 World Cup. “In a situation like that you don’t travel to the other side of the world and leave your family on their own for eight weeks,” Cryuff wrote in his book My Turn. “If you are playing in a World Cup you have to be fully focussed.”

Last Word: When family’s safety is more important than a FIFA World Cup

A burglary at Raheem Sterling’s house in Surrey forced the England star to rush back from the World Cup to be with his family. Long ago, a similar inc

Josko Gvardiol celebrates with the FIFA World Cup medal after the team took the third place with a win over Morocco. Gvardiol excelled in the FIFA World Cup; he caught everyone’s attention with his solid and no-nonsense approach to defending.

Heroes in the making: Youngsters who shone at the FIFA World Cup

Since its inception, the World Cup has always been a platform where several young players have announced themselves on the global stage. With the 2022

Die-hard fans: “We are so pleased and happy when we see the yellow sea around, especially the feeling when we go out of the tunnel, it’s priceless. We like to give everything for them. Of course, away-team supporters, they know when they are coming to Kochi it will be all about the Kerala Blasters supporters because the game is in Kochi. That’s how it is in football,” Ivan Vukomanovic, the Blasters head coach, said.

ISL diary: Life is hard for away-team fans at Kerala Blasters’ Nehru Stadium

Ivan Vukomanovic, the Kerala Blasters head coach, gave a hint of what could be running in the mind of an away fan in Kochi.

Party time: The victorious Argentine players celebrate with the trophy on a bus outside the Lusail Stadium.

FIFA World Cup diary: Outpouring of emotions after hair-raising Argentine glory

Soon after the victory, the Argentine players were in the midst of their people, taking an open-top bus-ride in the busy street of Lusail and singing

The Panthers topped the league standings, thereby directly making it to the semifinals. Two clinical performances – against Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan – handed them the trophy once again.

Pro Kabaddi 9 season wrap: Jaipur Pink Panthers top dog again

An old champion regained its crown, youngsters showed up the old guard, and action on the mat got faster – there was much to savour from the ninth sea

Impressive run: Shaji Ul Mulk (left) unveiling the trophy for the sixth season of Abu Dhabi T10. Viewership of the tournament increased from 37 million to 342 million between 2017 (the first season) and 2021.

T10: Cricket’s answer to the Olympics?

The six-season-old Abu Dhabi T10, born on the sand beds of Abu Dhabi, is waiting to occupy a larger space in cricket’s burgeoning calendar. The format

Crowning glory: Lionel Messi kisses the FIFA World Cup trophy after Argentina’s win over France in the final. If Messi decides to quit football now, he will do so on a high.

Sunil Gavaskar: FIFA World Cup 2022 marks a happy ending for Messi

Until last year, Lionel Messi had plenty of club championship titles in his kitty but had never won a title with his national team. Now, he has fulfil

Kylian Mbappe is sombre as he poses with the Golden Boot award after France’s loss to Argentina on penalties in the final.

FIFA World Cup: France goal machine Kylian Mbappe wins Golden Boot

Despite scoring three goals in the final, Kylian Mbappe couldn’t ensure World Cup triumph for France. His eight goals in the competition won him the G

Picture perfect: The Argentine players celebrate victory while the French are dejected, after the final.

Argentina v France final the best match of FIFA World Cup

The final between Argentina and France, with its moments of brilliance and extraordinary twists and turns, turned out to be the best match of the FIFA

Emiliano Martinez thwarted Netherlands and France during penalty shootouts to propel Argentina to World Cup triumph.

FIFA World Cup: Emiliano Martinez wins golden glove for yeoman service to Argentina

Emiliano Martinez’s penalty saves and interventions during the knockouts were significant to Argentina’s success at the FIFA World Cup.

Perfect strike: Wout Weghorst of Netherlands scores his team’s second goal against Argentina in the quarterfinals.

FIFA World Cup best goal: Wout Weghorst vs Argentina

For its persistence and relentless attack against Argentina in the quarterfinals, the Netherlands were rewarded with a free kick in the 11th minute of

Scorching the tracks: Race cars zoom through during the season finale of the Indian Racing League in Hyderabad. The league was a kind of test run to check the preparedness of the 2.8km circuit before the marquee event.

Hyderabad all set for Formula E debut after thrills and spills of Indian Racing League

The Hyderabad race circuit, which nestles along the picturesque Necklace Road on the banks of the Hussain Sagar lake, is all set for its Formula E deb

Ishant Sharma in action. (File Photo)

Do not think too much about the workload, says Ishant Sharma

Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma advises young pacers to keep bowling as much as possible to avoid breaking down in First Class cricket.

‘Sultan’ Fazel Atrachali Pro Kabaddi League’s most successful defender

Fazel Atrachali making up for lost time, step one: PKL title bid with Puneri Paltan

Fazel has been the wind beneath the sails of a young and ambitious Paltan side and will hope to keep the momentum going when they face Jaipur Pink Pan

Archive

+ READ THIS ISSUE 14-10-2023

+ READ THIS ISSUE 30-09-2023

+ READ THIS ISSUE 16-09-2023

+ READ THIS ISSUE 02-09-2023

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