B Shrikant anchors the Mumbai sports desk. A journalist for more than two decades, he covers hockey, chess, athletics, basketball and volleyball.
Articles by B Shrikant
Sandeep, Sardar leave hockey camp
Seasoned players Sardar Singh and Sandeep Singh followed up on their threat and withdrew from the national camp for the Asian Champions Trophy, leaving for their respective homes in the wee hours on Tuesday.
Updated on Aug 23, 2011 11:14 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Another rebellion hits hockey camp in Bangalore
The Indian hockey camp for the Asian Champions Trophy in Bangalore plunged into crisis on Monday after senior players Sardar Singh and Sandeep Singh threatened to pull out of the team reportedly after an argument with chief coach Michael Nobbs.
Updated on Aug 22, 2011 11:49 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
'Indo-Pak matches are still relevant'
Former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt made one thing clear when he was named captain of one of the eight World Series Hockey (WSH) teams last month - he would not take part in the league launched by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus Sports unless it got the sanction from the international body. B Shrikant reports.
Updated on Aug 17, 2011 11:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Anand robbed of home advantage
For the first time in the history of Indian sports, a sponsor was ready to put in Rs 20 crore for a chess event. The Tamil Nadu government pledged that amount and also promised to provide other facilities. B Shrikant reports.
Updated on Aug 09, 2011 11:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Malhotra bites the hand that feeds IOA
Politicians suffering from foot-in-the-mouth syndrome isn't new. But while taking a stand on raging current affairs, they usually spare their bosses the rod.
Updated on Aug 09, 2011 12:45 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
In a spot, need to break free
Will the men's hockey team qualify for the London Olympics or miss out for the second successive time, after being regulars for over eight decades? That's the question on the mind of Indian hockey aficionados. B Shrikant reports.
Updated on Jul 29, 2011 01:16 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bangalore
A day after pact, HI showcauses players
The mistrust between the two warring hockey federations is so deep-rooted that what one considers a simple disciplinary action is being termed as an attempt to sabotage Monday’s agreement by the other.
Updated on Jul 27, 2011 02:13 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bangalore
‘Hockey is dying in Manipur’
The Manipur team left Bhopal after their league match in the Senior National Hockey Championship on June 16. It will reach Imphal sometime on June 21.
Updated on Jun 18, 2011 11:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Even at home, cornered by penalty corners
Drag-flickers Sandeep Singh and VR Raghunath struck golden goals on Thursday off penalty-corners to seal semifinal berths for their teams, Haryana and Karnataka respectively, in the Senior National Hockey Championships.
Updated on Jun 18, 2011 12:17 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
AI grounded by Karnataka
Playing against a strong and experienced outfit like Karnataka, Air India needed all the luck to emerge victorious. Having suffered a 0-6 mauling at the hands of Indian Oil Corporation at the same venue in the Obaidullah Gold Cup a few days back, Air India desperately needed help from the Almighty.
Updated on Jun 16, 2011 11:45 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
HI proposes two-tier format for Nationals
With 32 teams in the fray and limited time and resources, the National Hockey Championship has been a nightmare, resulting in controversies over accommodation, food, transport and scheduling.
Updated on Jun 16, 2011 01:00 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Tough times ahead as teams get ready for quarterfinals
Will Prabhjot Singh and Deepak Thakur emerge as Air India’s nemesis once again? The two stalwarts had led the attack superbly when their team, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), handed Air India one of their worst defeats --- a 6-0 pasting in the Obaidullah Gold Cup at the same venue here last month.
Updated on Jun 16, 2011 12:47 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Air India scrape past Uttar Pradesh
In the end it all boiled down to experience. Air India were struggling to find rhythm and with Uttar Pradesh leading 1-0, coach Gavin Ferreira sent the experienced Dhanraj Pillay to help the team wrest back the initiative.
Updated on Jun 14, 2011 11:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Scheduling goof-ups stun all
Star-studded favourites Air India will clash with strong contenders Karnataka in the quarterfinals of the Hockey India senior national championship at 8.15am on Thursday in what will be a final before the final.
Updated on Jun 14, 2011 11:41 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Bridging the divide
On Monday, both Jharkhand and Punjab 'bridged the divide' a little by qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Hockey India National Championships in contrasting style.
Updated on Jun 13, 2011 11:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Karnataka, AI finally come to the party
Star-studded Air India and Karnataka had faced contrasting problems as they failed to find their rhythm in their opening matches of the Hockey India Senior National Hockey Championship.
Updated on Jun 12, 2011 11:58 PM IST
None | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Game of Cricket helps Maharashtra loosen up
Ahead of a crucial match against a star-studded team, young players usually succumb to the pressure of playing top stars. In such a situation, a coach should divert their attention so as to relieve them of the pressure.
Updated on Jun 12, 2011 11:53 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
'I don't watch hockey, there's no skill'
"To hell with hockey," stalwart Aslam Sher Khan had once said in anguish. So disgusted was he with the politics of the game in India that he decided to sever all ties with the sport. Firoz Mirza & B Shrikant report. More about the legend
Updated on Jun 12, 2011 01:23 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Firoz Mirza & B Shrikant, Bhopal
Punjab have it easy yet again
Youngster Satbir Singh struck a hattrick as favourites Punjab blanked Uttarakhand 12-0 to register their second successive win in Pool A of the National Hockey Championship here on Saturday. They had beaten Gujarat 25-0 in their opening match on Friday. B Shrikant reports.
Updated on Jun 12, 2011 12:10 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Players force HI to double allowance
Player power ruled on Friday as the organisers of the National Hockey Championship here were forced to double their daily allowance following protests.
Updated on Jun 11, 2011 01:16 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
Hockey India brings its counter tourney
In the game of one-upmanship that Indian hockey has become, every single move will have a bearing on the final outcome. Organising a competition has thus become a competition in itself with the two rivals - the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India - showing unusual zest in conducting events.
Updated on Jun 10, 2011 12:32 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Bhopal
IHF official told to stay away from IOA meet
The spat between the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Hockey India (HI) engulfed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) annual general meeting in Ranchi on Saturday, with the apex body backing HI.
Updated on Feb 13, 2011 12:41 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, Mumbai
"He has the height and talent"
He is literally cut out for big deeds. Just 15 but already 7 feet tall, Satnam Singh Bhamra is regarded as the biggest basketball talent unearthed in India in recent times. Many hope the lad will soon become the biggest Indian basketball star.
Updated on Dec 25, 2010 11:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, Mumbai
"I want to run fast and win a medal"
A native of Vepamanipeta, nearly 100km from Anantapur, Baba lost her father at a young age and her mother does menial jobs to eke out a living. Baba's jaw got locked when she was a toddler and lack of medical facilities in her village left her speech impaired.
Updated on Dec 24, 2010 10:34 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, Anantapur
Power to the people: Mapping the change
In the vast Indian outback there is a growing hunger to change lives through sport. B Shrikant writes.
Updated on Dec 25, 2010 11:49 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Anantapur
Basic formula: Spend money and get medals
With one day of competition remaining in the 16th Asian Games at Guangzhou, Indian sportspersons have already performed beyond expectations.
Updated on Nov 26, 2010 12:20 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant
‘I never thought she would win’
Central Railways athletics coach Nagesh Shetty's pulse started racing as Sudha Singh lined up for the start of the women's 3000 m steeplechase on Sunday evening.
Updated on Nov 21, 2010 11:04 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, Mumbai
FIH sticks with old system
The international hockey federation (FIH) has decided not to change its Olympic Games qualification system for London 2012. This would mean trouble for teams that fail to win the continental championship, like the Asian Games, and some big guns will be forced to go through the pain of qualifying tournaments. Olympic Qualifying System
Updated on Oct 29, 2010 01:14 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Delhi CWG: England turn on the heat to melt mental barrier
For teams competing in India, the heat is a psychological barrier. Though the Commonwealth Games are being at the fag end of the summer season, the heat and humidity in Delhi will still be an important factor for foreign competitors, especially in physical outdoor sports like hockey. B Shrikant reports. See special
Updated on Oct 02, 2010 02:05 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Rajpal keen to set dismal record right
For a country that dominated the sport for decades, won eight Olympic gold medals, one World Cup title and numerous medals at the Continental level, India have an abysmal record in the Commonwealth Games men's hockey.
Updated on Sep 17, 2010 07:33 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, Mumbai