Articles by Abhijeet Kulkarni
Dutch caught in a wrong game
If the arena was a rectangle and the game the 90-minute variety, there would not be space for spectators to even stand at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground when the Netherlands take on England on Tuesday. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 22, 2011 12:30 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, New Delhi
I hate to think it could be our last Cup
Bas Zuiderent made his World Cup debut for Netherlands when merely qualifying for the quadrennial event was 'mission accomplished' for the minnows. Having played in the 1996 edition of the mega event in the sub -continent as the youngest members of the squad, this is his fourth outing in the World Cup. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 21, 2011 12:07 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
A new England order: Pietersen goes to the top
Before this year, Kevin Pietersen had walked out to open an innings only six times, and that too in List 'A' games. And given his form, or the lack of it, in the last two years speculation was rife that the flamboyant batsman could quit one-day internationals after the World Cup. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 21, 2011 12:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Irish batsmen thrive against spinners
Ireland, the giant killers of the 2007 edition, warmed up for the World Cup with a comfortable four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
Updated on Feb 16, 2011 12:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Grammar teacher is a master of switch-hit
Andrew White's profile in the ICC handbook for the World Cup says that the Ireland batsman can write with both hands. The skill definitely sums up the versatility of the country's second most capped player.
Updated on Feb 14, 2011 12:42 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Guptill's century helps Kiwis trounce Ireland
The opening position in the New Zealand one-day side had become a game of musical chairs with the team using four different players in the last 13 games to start the proceedings at the top of the order.
Updated on Feb 13, 2011 12:43 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
Wright pushes NZ to get it right
Even before the New Zealand cricketers took the field for their first practice session in India for the World Cup, their coach John Wright was busy chatting with the ground staff and net bowlers, collecting inputs.
Updated on Feb 12, 2011 12:15 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Nagpur
No takers for Sreesanth's theatrics
The footage of a delirious Sreesanth dancing in front of South African pace bowler Andre Nel and swinging the bat over his head after hitting him for six on the 2006 tour is still repeated on television.
Updated on Feb 10, 2011 12:38 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Kochi
Sreesanth the free spirit
A versatile boy who switched from spin to pace, Sreesanth has never put a lid on his intensity, writes Abhijeet Kulkarni. No takers for Sreesanth's theatrics | In a nutshell
Updated on Feb 17, 2011 04:11 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Kochi
Return of the maverick
Four years ago, when S Sreesanth made the cut for the Indian World Cup squad, he was an aggressive, raw fast bowler. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 09, 2011 12:58 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Kochi
'Will celebrate when India lift the Cup'
A broad smile and a sigh of relief was all that Sreesanth's parents could muster when news of the speedster making it to the Indian World Cup squad began to flash on local television channel on Tuesday afternoon. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 09, 2011 12:53 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Kochi
Sree replaces injured Praveen
Team India promises to create some drama at the upcoming World Cup with injured medium pacer Praveen Kumar making way for mercurial fast bowler S Sreesanth. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports. Who would have done it better? | Back on track
Updated on Feb 09, 2011 09:00 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Kochi
Reticent ranger
The first time Munaf Patel was asked to come and play in a "real" cricket match, the teenager ran away and hid himself in the very house of the man who asked him to join the team - Golden Cricket Club captain Haroon Handi. He had to be forcibly taken to the ground. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 17, 2011 04:09 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ikhar, Gujarat
Cricket shines in the backwaters called Ikhar
Munaf Patel came to Vadodara to try his luck at an age when Irfan Pathan was already a star, and many Indian cricketers had established themselves as future prospects. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Feb 06, 2011 12:05 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Ikhar
ICC dilutes ambush marketing clauses
Don't be surprised if the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and M.S. Dhoni are seen promoting their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) teams during the ICC World Cup.
Updated on Feb 04, 2011 12:23 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
North enter final, Manhas slams ton
Mithun Manhas helped himself to his 19th first-class century and Sumit Narwal capped his all-round show with a second half century of the match as North Zone opted to shield their bowlers on the final day of the Duleep Trophy semifinal against West Zone.
Updated on Jan 29, 2011 11:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Vadodara
Narwal revels in his all-round show
Delhi may have failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy but the presence of two fast bowlers in the coaching staff has proved to be a boon for medium-pacer Sumit Narwal.
Updated on Jan 29, 2011 11:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Vadodara
Jadeja stands alone amid ruins for West
West Zone's chances of retaining the Duleep trophy crown were all but over in 28 minutes and under seven overs on the third day, when Pinal Shah went for an extravagant drive and threw his wicket away on Friday.
Updated on Jan 28, 2011 11:08 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Vadodara
Narwal spoils West Zone's plan
With only the tail at the crease for the North Zone, the West Zone bowlers thought of retiring to the pavilion early on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy semifinal.
Updated on Jan 28, 2011 12:14 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Vadodara
Mandeep’s ton shows North the way in semifinal
Mandeep Singh made the most of a life to score his second first-class century in only his fifth game and the lower middle order showed the patience to drop anchor in the final session to help North Zone reach a comfortable 315 for 5 on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy semifinal against defending champions West Zone on Wednesday.
Updated on Jan 27, 2011 12:05 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Vadodara
West Zone favourites in Duleep semifinal
With just over a fortnight left for this year's biggest sporting extravaganza - the World Cup, the country seems to have already shifted to the limited-overs mould in which a four-day game would seem to be a drag.
Updated on Jan 26, 2011 12:23 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Vadodara
How not to organise a marathon
The jury can be out on whether lack of proper assistance from the volunteers and officials or whether it was the player's "intentional" mistake which brought disgrace upon two of India's elite women athletes as they were disqualified from the Mumbai Marathon for not completing the entire race.
Updated on Jan 17, 2011 01:44 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Bhat, Mutatkar Badminton champions
Aditi Mutatkar began the 75th edition of the senior national badminton championship with a loss against Arundhati Pantawane in the Inter-state team championship.
Updated on Jan 11, 2011 12:41 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Rohtak
Pantawane, Kashyap in finals
Like an expert magician, Arundhati Pantawane needed a special effort to prove that she belonged to the elite group of shuttlers. And the 24-year-old from Nagpur escaped defeat twice in a day and booked her maiden final berth in the senior national badminton championship here on Sunday. Abhijeet Kulkarni reports.
Updated on Jan 10, 2011 12:38 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Rohtak
Charge of youth at badminton Nationals
Trupti Murgunde could not fathom what had hit her as she surrendered without a fight. Anup Sridhar was a tad better, he did put up a fight and even tried to bully his opponent with some aggressive body language but the younger brigade not just proved that they have more fire in their belly.
Updated on Jan 08, 2011 11:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Rohtak
Shuttlers toil hard as BAI alters schedule
The Badminton Association of India's (BAI) inexplicable decision to reduce the Senior National Championship by a day here has thrown the schedule off-track with the players being forced to play well beyond midnight on Friday.
Updated on Jan 07, 2011 11:45 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Rohtak
Boys to Men
The rigour starts with the approach road. True to the army’s reputation of never taking the easy way out. Twists and turns mark the route to the Army Sports Institute’s centre of excellence and first-time visitors have to often stop to get directions. Young and Rare
Updated on Dec 28, 2010 12:17 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Pune
"My parents lived in a shanty, that was motivation enough"
Whenever Navnath Fartade went to Charhata village in Beed district to meet his parents and told his folks and other villagers he was learning shooting, they thought he was aiming for the big screen.
Updated on Dec 28, 2010 12:06 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Rupee reign
Sports like basketball & football aren't attractive investments but their potential has lured corporates. Abhijeet Kulkarni writes.
Updated on Dec 25, 2010 11:40 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai
Saina gets a low after the high, faces $5000 fine for withdrawal
Saina Nehwal's decision to pull out of next month's Super Series Finals due to an ankle injury could cost her $5000 and also invite disciplinary action.
Updated on Dec 24, 2010 12:38 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Abhijeet Kulkarni, Mumbai