Articles by Abhijeet Kulkarni
Livin’ it up, the day after
The weight of expectations removed from their shoulders, the victorious Indian team members let their guard down after almost two months and mingled with industrialists, politicians and fans on Sunday till the security protocol compelled them to return to their hotel.
Updated on Apr 04, 2011 02:12 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Pace spearheads in a race to exorcise ghosts
Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga are as different as chalk and cheese. While the former trundles in and relies on his ability to out-think opponents, the latter focusses on using his sling-arm action and toe-crushing yorkers to do the job. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Zak and Malinga stats
Updated on Apr 02, 2011 10:07 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Destiny beckons Sreesanth
Sreesanth likes to believe he is destiny's child. Long before the World Cup team was selected, the Kerala speedster had told his family he expected to play a role in India's campaign. Abhijeet Kulkarni writes.
Updated on Apr 02, 2011 12:55 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
'Brownie' on offer at the Wankhede
A virgin pitch awaits India and Sri Lanka for the World Cup final here on Saturday and Sri Lanka vice captain Mahela Jayawardene could not help but take a dig at the wicket saying it looked brown. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Apr 01, 2011 12:23 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
A tale of two masters
Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan have played cricket with the same fervour for more than two decades and the two most successful cricketers would want to script a "perfect bow" in the World Cup final tomorrow. Abhijeet Kulkarni writes. Mohali clash
Updated on Apr 01, 2011 10:34 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Fitness woes for Lanka, Vaas, Randiv kept as cover
Sri Lanka has called in veteran medium pacer Chaminda Vaas and spinner Suraj Randiv as cover for the injured Angelo Mathews and Muttiah Muralitharan. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Apr 01, 2011 12:14 AM IST
AFP | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Colombo
Murali weaves magic after Sanga century
Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara, showed faith in his spinners and they responded in style to help the 1996 world champions register a thumping 112-run victory over New Zealand. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Scorecard
Updated on Mar 19, 2011 11:27 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
BAI chief's 'mail' has officials in tizzy
Supporters of Badminton Association of India president VK Verma were caught on the wrong foot on Friday when secretary-general, Vijai Sinha, circulated Verma's resignation letter, which also suggests that vice-president Akhilesh Das Gupta may be unanimously elected as the next president.
Updated on Mar 18, 2011 10:53 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
In absence of Vettori, focus on offie Nathan
During New Zealand's short trip to Sri Lanka, in the World Cup, for a game against Pakistan, off-spinner Nathan McCullum spent about five minutes with Muttiah Muralitharan's mentor, Sunil Fernando, to understand the nuances of off-spin bowling.
Updated on Mar 18, 2011 01:47 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Seeking momentum under the blazing sun
The tinge of grass on the Wankhede pitch that greeted Sri Lanka during their training on Thursday morning was turning brown by the end of the day and the curator planned to leave the trimming to the eleventh hour. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 18, 2011 01:48 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
'Mumbai trip a bonding exercise'
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara may be critical of his team having to play their final league encounter outside the country, but the man who was in charge before him looks at the situation as a blessing in disguise.
Updated on Mar 17, 2011 12:12 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Bruised Kiwis aim high
The newly fixed bucket seats in the Wankhede stadium suffered a few dents as proof of New Zealand's net session - their first since Sunday's convincing win over Canada. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 17, 2011 12:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Sri Lanka's last chance to iron out rough edges
Pre-tournament favourite Sri Lanka may have qualified for the knock out stage without much ado but Kumar Sangakkara's boys haven't looked that menacing against the bigger sides. Abhijeet Kulkarni explains.
Updated on Mar 16, 2011 02:13 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Controlled aggression
McCullum's well-paced ton takes the New Zealand home. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Scorecard | Most runs in an over in World Cup
Updated on Mar 14, 2011 02:18 AM IST
Agencies | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Wankhede faces its first test
On Sunday, the stadium will host its first international game in over three-and-a-half years. Though the stands and other facilities look spic and span, it's the all-important 22-yard strip and the outfield that will be under the scanner on Sunday. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 13, 2011 01:53 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Vettori out of Canada game
Vettori, who strained a ligament in his right knee during their last match against Pakistan, will sit out of their next game against Canada on Sunday. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 12, 2011 01:05 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Surkari’s life: Chemo to cricket
Zubin Surkari still shudders at the mention of the two-year period from 2005 to 2007. Once considered one of the fittest members of the Canada team, he struggled to stand on his own feet at that time.
Updated on Mar 11, 2011 01:28 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
PETA: Pathan for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
For many, Yusuf Pathan buying exotic parrots in Bangalore this week may have come as a surprise. But the explosive batsman not only has a passion for pets but is also doing his bit for the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned and injured animals. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 05, 2011 01:45 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ahmedabad
Wright dose works for the Black Caps
There were no fancy training sessions and the team-building exercise before the match against Zimbabwe was restricted to a 'tell it like it is' session by coach John Wright. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Scorecard
Updated on Mar 05, 2011 12:52 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ahmedabad
New Zealand look to spin past Zimbabwe
New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill has spent most of the time in the nets facing spinners for the last few days. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 04, 2011 03:11 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ahmedabad
Fire in the belly keeps Price going high
As a newborn, Raymond Price was given a one in four chance of survival. Within months, he had lost his hearing due to meningitis and though it was restored by surgery, he struggled with co-ordination skills as a student. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Tight spot
Updated on Mar 03, 2011 02:12 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ahmedabad
Bai’s executive body revokes singh’s suspension
A week after Badminton Association of India president VK Verma was arrested for alleged irregularities during organising of the Commonwealth Games, the first signs of revolt in the sports governing body were evident on Wednesday
Updated on Mar 02, 2011 11:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ahmedabad
Zimbabwe show Canada their place
The phrase 'well begun is half done' cannot be more misleading than on a cricket field. Canada began by claiming the wicket of Zimbabwe opener Brendan Taylor off the first ball of the match and then lost their way in an attempt to consolidate their position. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Mar 01, 2011 02:00 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Canada look to mix exuberance with experience
Nitish Kumar was just eight when John Davison made his World Cup debut and created a record of scoring the fastest century in the tournament then.
Updated on Feb 28, 2011 01:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Journeymen pros on a job-hunt at Cup
Wesley Baressi worked as a warehouse manager, studied law and played cricket in his spare time until last year. But the 26-year-old could take three months leave without pay from his job to prepare for the World Cup because the Netherlands Cricket Association gave him financial support.
Updated on Feb 27, 2011 11:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Australia flex their pace muscle again
Aussies are the only top team in the World Cup to rely on pace in the sub-continent; and Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson showed just why. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Scorecard
Updated on Feb 26, 2011 12:41 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Neighbourhood battle
Spin could hold the key as Aussies face familiar foes New Zealand, Abhijeet Kulkarni writes.
Updated on Feb 25, 2011 02:36 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
NZ physio, trainer rush to quake-hit home
The fielding drills were flawless as usual and the intensity unmatched but what was missing was the regular banter and the egging on that makes watching New Zealand's fielding practice fun.
Updated on Feb 25, 2011 12:39 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Ryan all set for Knight-hood
The one question Ryan ten Doeschate has fielded repeatedly since reaching India is his selection to the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League, and what value he could bring to Kolkata Knight Riders, who purchased him for Rs 67.7 lakh. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 24, 2011 01:23 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
So near, much too far
Netherlands, led by the sheer brilliance of all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, gave England a real fright first up in their World Cup campaign on Tuesday. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.First impression | Scorecard
Updated on Feb 23, 2011 02:08 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur