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This World Cup in India offers ODIs, struggling with an identity crisis, another opportunity to attract the crowds and infuse life into the 50-over game.

In this issue

14-10-202330 STORIES

Making a point: India’s hockey goalkeeper Sreejesh wrote: “Being a goalkeeper is a lonely job. Not only are you completely alone during the match, your training sessions too are quite far removed from the rest of the team.”

Last Word: The loneliest sport

Alan Sillitoe’s short story The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner wasn’t so much about loneliness in sport as about alienation in society, but th

Being the host and having won the latest Asia Cup while all its vital cogs seemingly fell in place, India has topped the pundit’s list as the favourite. However World Cups can offer banana peels too.

World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma’s India peaking at the right time, but don’t count out the rest

India may be firm favourites in the 2023 World Cup but has their task cut out against some strong sides from other countries.

Investing in talent: Pravin Amre, a key figure in Air India’s cricket setup, secured a cricket scholarship for Rohit Sharma well before his selection in the U-19 World Cup in 2006.

ICC World Cup 2023

Rohit Sharma’s origin story: From Borivali to Team India’s Hitman

Rohit’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, traces back the progress of a stunning career that could easily frustrate.

In captain Williamson, New Zealand possesses a world-class batter who can rebuild or accelerate the innings as needed.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: New Zealand team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

New Zealand, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: There will be a lot of pressure to make it to the finals, but with key players injured and increasingly compe

Buttler has a flexible and well-rounded side at his disposal as England looks to defend its title.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: England team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

England, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: Its attacking approach with the bat is likely to take many teams by surprise, including host India, and it has va

The Dutch’s hopes will hinge a lot on their batting line-up, led by skipper Scott Edwards.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: Netherlands team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

Netherlands, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: It is highly unlikely that the Dutch will make it to the semifinals but the side has the potential to upset a

Experience and power-hitting ability in the middle-order should hold South Africa in good stead.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: South Africa team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

South Africa, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: The Proteas should make it to the semifinal, considering how explosive their batting unit is.

The quest to clinch that elusive ICC trophy remains as bumpy as it has been over the last decade.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: India team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

India, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: The team’s core matches the best in terms of skill and only the quantum of verve during knockouts could become the

Captain Shakib’s all-round ability will be vital to Bangladesh’s campaign.

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World Cup 2023: Bangladesh team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

Bangladesh, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: Bangladesh enters another World Cup campaign without having shed the giant-killer tag and with a core that has

Flamboyant player: Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai plays a shot during the Ranji Trophy semifinal between Tamil Nadu and Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on January 11, 2012.

ICC World Cup 2023

Suryakumar Yadav’s origin story: How SKY became Mr. 360

Suryakumar Yadav’s first coach on how he tuned out the noise to get clarity — and lots of runs.

South Africa’s Lance Klusener is one of the most accomplished all-rounders the game has produced.

ICC World Cup 2023

ODI World Cups: How role of all-rounders has evolved from 1975 to 2019

All-rounders as a breed may have evolved over the decades but their importance continues to remain paramount in the game’s bigger picture.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting enjoys a storied record at the World Cup.

ODI World Cups: stats, records and trivia you must know!

Ponting may have appeared in most World Cup matches, but Sachin and Miandad have appeared in most editions of the tournament.

Picture perfect: A young Virat Kohli during a Ranji game.

Virat Kohli origin story: A student who looked like a leader, and then became one

Over the years, Raj Kumar Sharma has observed Virat Kohli’s growth as both a cricketer and an individual.

Hardik Pandya began to bowl a lot more than a few months ago, and not only that, but he is picking important wickets too.

On The Write Line

Sunil Gavaskar: Team India needs a fifth bowling option for ODI World Cup

For several players around the world, this World Cup could mark their last appearance. Let’s hope they leave on a high, even if their teams don’t go o

The burning concern for Sri Lanka is the form of captain Dasun Shanaka in the lower order.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

Sri Lanka, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: The island nation has developed the knack of discovering unlikely match-winners and the Asia Cup title in 2022

Babar Azam will have to bring his inimitable best to take his side deep into the tournament.

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World Cup 2023: Pakistan team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

Pakistan, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: The team heads into the tournament with a pack of unsettled cards, riding thin on the prowess of a few lead char

Right moves: Shreyas Iyer made his first-class debut for Mumbai in 2014 as a middle-order batsman but later moved up to open. He ended the season as the top scorer, amassing 809 runs at an average of over 50.

Shreyas Iyer origin story: From Shivaji Park Gymkhana to World Cup via a fulfilling dinner

Shreyas Iyer has a history of waiting for opportunities and hitting the mark when they arrive. The question now is whether he can maintain this trait.

Reliable mind: Kumar Dharmasena officiated at the 2019 World Cup final.

ICC World Cup 2023

From 1975 to 2019: How umpiring has evolved with World Cups

Cricket umpiring has seen an unbelievable transformation over the years with the officials feeling the pressure more in the big matches, especially Wo

The stadium has a capacity of 42,653, but to accommodate sight-screens on both ends and extend the dressing room arena keeping the international protocols in mind, some seats remain out of bounds.

2023 ODI World Cup venues: MCA Stadium, Pune — capacity, entry points, pitch info and all you need to know

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium has undergone a face-lift for the first time since its inauguration in April 2012.

The stadium has a capacity of 33,000. However, for each of the five World Cup games, approximately 30,000 spectators can be accommodated.

ICC World Cup 2023

2023 ODI World Cup venues: Wankhede Stadium — capacity, entry points, pitch info and all you need to know

The iconic Wankhede looks be in top shape for the World Cup, with quite a few changes being implemented.

The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan will need to hold its nerve in crunch situations at the World Cup.

ICC World Cup 2023

World Cup 2023: Afghanistan team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

Afghanistan, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: While the Afghans have the ability to challenge Full Members in bilateral ties, they are yet to translate the

Australia, led by Pat Cummins, has ‘big game’ hunters and should be in the final of the World Cup.

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World Cup 2023: Australia team preview, squad, key players, form and prediction

Australia, ICC World Cup 2023 Preview: The Aussies boast of a roster packed with all-rounders that could reduce their dependence on specialists, espec

Officially, the stadium, with old Delhi a stone’s throw away, has a capacity of 37,499.

2023 ODI World Cup venues: Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium — capacity, entry points, pitch info and all you need to know

Renovation work is in full swing to get the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium ready in time for its first match between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Mentor and mentee: Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav with his childhood coach Kapil Pandey.

ICC World Cup 2023

Kuldeep Yadav’s origin story: A dream Kapil Pandey spun

Kuldeep Yadav’s coach on how he came into his own by embracing spin traditions without letting go of his own strengths.

Close watch: Ishan reached out to Mazumdar during the home T20 series against South Africa in 2022. “His hotel room in ITC Maurya became our training ground. For 4-5 days we worked on his head position and body balance to deal with the bounce generated by the Proteas,” Mazumdar says.

Ishan Kishan’s origin story: Cricket, Kebabs and Ranchi

Uttam Mazumdar, Ishan Kishan’s childhood coach, on the ‘Ishu’ he knows and admires.

Shardul Thakur’s all-round abilities will hold India in good stead.

ICC World Cup 2023

Shardul’s origin story: How Dinesh Lad’s 22 calls in 3 months gave India ‘Lord’ Thakur

Dinesh Lad and Pravin Amre talk about the work that has gone behind making Shardul Thakur the all-rounder that he is.

Jasprit Bumrah showed early promise as a fast bowler.

ICC World Cup 2023

Bumrah’s origin story: Nirman School’s alumnus, now India’s pace spearhead

Jasprit Bumrah’s childhood coaches talk about what has gone into his journey from the school playground to the Indian team.

Circa 2007: R. Ashwin honed his skills under C.K. Vijaya Kumar during his high school days.

Ashwin’s origin story: How an aspiring medium-pacer became one of world’s best off-spinners

Life will come full circle for Ashwin if he is selected for India’s opening match of the World Cup against Australia at his home ground in Chennai on

Hardik Pandya follows his coach Jitendra Singh’s mantra: “Do what you believe is right, even if it’s not easy.”

Hardik Pandya’s rise from Vadodara’s ‘400-500 rupiya’ per tennis-ball match player to multimillion-dollar talent

Hardik Pandya has had to be strong to get to where he has. The men behind his rise and revival paint an unflinching portrait of his career.

Badruddin Siddiqui has helped shape the career of Shami.

All aboard the Shami Express: From Moradabad to Team India via Kolkata

How Badruddin Siddiqui helped an eager, unsure youngster become one of the world’s feared quick bowlers.

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