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
Krishna waiting for some son-shine
For discus thrower Krishna Poonia and her coach and husband, Virendar, every moment spent on the field is marked by sacrifice. For the last few years, the two have been away from their home in Churu (Rajasthan) for months — training abroad and participating in competitions, which also keeps them away from their eight-year-old son.
Updated on Sep 17, 2010 07:31 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Scarred yet striving for gold
For a team that has failed to achieve much in FIH-organised tournaments, the Commonwealth Games has been a happy hunting ground for the India women's hockey team. The Team | The Groups
Updated on Sep 16, 2010 12:56 AM IST
None | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Dreaming on amid chaos
If the World Cup and Champions Trophy are overlooked, the Commonwealth Games men’s hockey competition is one of the toughest events, going by the rankings of the participating countries. Guide to hockey | Groups
Updated on Sep 15, 2010 03:03 AM IST
None | 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 Aug 24, 2010 12:29 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, Mumbai
Krishna waiting for some son-shine
For discus thrower Krishna Poonia and her coach and husband, Virendar, every moment spent on the field is marked by sacrifice, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Aug 22, 2010 11:41 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Only 19 sports bodies are RTI compliant
The National Sports Federations always reject the allegations of not being transparent. But when it comes to putting these claims into practice, the NSFs take their own time.
Updated on May 29, 2010 11:14 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
Aruna behind Anand’s success
There is a woman behind every successful man. In the case of World champion Viswanathan Anand there are two. If his mother, Susheela, introduced him to chess and shaped his career, it is his wife, Aruna, who has been his pillar of strength, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on May 13, 2010 02:09 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
‘Game against Topalov toughest’
It was the toughest match of Viswanathan Anand's career, considering the controversies at the start of the match and the manner in which he fought back. Excerpts:
Updated on May 13, 2010 02:04 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, Mumbai
We’ve had enough. It’s time for change
India finished eighth in the 12-team FIH Hockey World Cup held here. Coach Jose Brasa is satisfied with the performance and the players are happy. Why? Because this is India's best finish since the 1994 World Cup in Sydney, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 14, 2010 11:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Australia beat Germany, win Hockey WC
Specialist Luke Doerner fired in the winner from a penalty corner as Australia won their first Hockey World Cup in 24 years with a 2-1 victory over defending champions Germany in the final at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, reports B Shrikant.Special Coverage
Updated on Mar 14, 2010 12:40 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
India finish eighth in Hockey World Cup
India lost 2-4 to Argentina in play-off to finish eighth in the Men's Hockey World Cup in New Delhi, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 13, 2010 12:24 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
It’s Germany vs Australia
Germany on Thursday made the most of the lessons learnt in their 5-3 defeat in the European Championships by beating England in a match that mattered more — the semifinal of the World Cup. On Saturday, they have a chance to test themselves in the final against Australia, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 12, 2010 01:35 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Four play before climax
Pace and aggression versus power and caution. Strategy against perseverance — what will triumph? That’s the question being asked as teams with contrasting styles meet in the FIH Hockey World Cup semifinals at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Thursday, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 10, 2010 11:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Brasa wants referral system fine-tuned
The controversial video referral system and the manner in which it was used during India’s match against South Africa remained the talking point at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 10, 2010 12:30 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
India break losing streak, manage draw against SA
The controversial umpire referral system denied India a goal and a well-deserved victory on Monday. Both India and South Africa finished with four points each from five matches but the former finished fourth in the pool on better goal difference (-3 for India to -15 for SA). B. Shrikant reports.
Updated on Mar 09, 2010 01:32 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant Saumojyoti Singha Choudhury, New Delhi
Brothers united guide Argentina
How does it feel to have your own brother as your boss? Ask Argentina’s assistant coach Jorge Lombi. In a country obsessed with soccer, Jorge followed his elder brother Pablo into hockey.
Updated on Mar 07, 2010 11:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B. Shrikant, New Delhi
Rajpal’s men seek SA win to finish strongly
By beating South Africa in their final Pool B match on Monday, India can finish fourth in the group and play for the 7th and 8th position, which will be a big improvement for a team that finished 11th in the 2006 World Cup, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 08, 2010 02:39 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
India fail English test
A plethora of missed chances and the usual defensive errors ended India's theoretical chances of making it to the World Cup semifinal. B Shrikant reports. Full coverage
Updated on Mar 07, 2010 11:19 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
In the world of hockey, 10 is just another number
Think of the Number 10 jersey and the images that come to mind are of footballers such as Pele, Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Wayne Rooney, Robinho, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Cesc Fabregas, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 06, 2010 01:07 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Defending for pride
Having seen his team’s shoddy work against Spain and Australia, chief coach, Jose Brasa, should consider employing a set of cheerleaders who would remind India about the basics of defence, clean trapping and strong man-to-man marking, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 06, 2010 02:00 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
International body to help untangle affiliation issue
March 10 is a rest day at the Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup. But for Hockey India and international hockey federation (FIH) officials, it'll be a working day, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 05, 2010 01:18 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Indoor or outdoor, Balwanth’s love is hockey
Shanyl Balwanth is one of the few field hockey players who have also represented their country in international indoor hockey. But this is not his only claim to fame. The 24-year-old is also the first player of Indian origin to represent South Africa in hockey, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 05, 2010 01:13 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
India's semi-final hopes diminish after defeat against Spain
In the do-or-die clash against world No. 3 Spain, India played the Asian style with a leaky defence. As a result, India lost 2-5 to succumb to their second successive defeat in the FIH Hockey World Cup, reports B Shrikant. Spain-India action in pics | Listen to podcast
Updated on Mar 05, 2010 08:20 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Netherlands beat New Zealand 3-1
Three-time winners the Netherlands moved closer to a semi final berth with a 3-1 win over New Zealand in a Pool A outing of the Hockey World Cup in New Delhi, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 04, 2010 12:00 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Koreans strike late, beat Argentina
Hyun Woo Nam scored in the last 40 seconds to guide South Korea to a 2-1 win over a fighting Argentina in Pool A, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 04, 2010 12:04 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Muller’s prediction coming true
German skipper Maxi Muller predicted difficult times for defenders after their first practice match on the newly laid Poligras turf at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 03, 2010 01:09 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
India go down and under
If India played as a unit against Pakistan on the opening day, the team failed to click on Tuesday, suffering an embarrassing 2-5 defeat against Australia, smarting from their loss to England, reports B Shrikant.Listen to podcast | In pics | Special
Updated on Mar 03, 2010 08:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
Abdul keeps Pakistan afloat
Abdul Haseem Khan scored a brace to help Pakistan prevail over Spain 2-1 and keep alive their chances of a semifinal berth. The former now have three points from two matches, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 03, 2010 01:20 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
New Zealand come from behind to defeat Canada 3-2
Seasoned Ryan Archibald scored a late winner to help New Zealand beat Canada 3-2 in their opening match in the Hero Hondia FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup here on Monday, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 01, 2010 06:32 PM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi
After 28 long years, Capital sings a redemption song
It was Chak de India after a long gap of 28 years — at the same Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium where the hosts had suffered their worst-ever defeat against Pakistan, reports B Shrikant.
Updated on Mar 01, 2010 01:26 AM IST
Hindustan Times | B Shrikant, New Delhi