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B Shrikant

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

Commonwealth Games 2018: Mirabai Chanu among three Indian lifters eyeing golden start

The 48kg world champion of 2017 is odds-on favourite to give India their first gold on Day 1 of competitions at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

Mirabai Chanu is expected to win gold in the 48kg category and break the games record(PTI)

sports

Updated on Apr 04, 2018 11:32 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Women’s hockey team, shuttlers begin favourites in openers

Indian women’s hockey team, who won gold at 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester will start their campaign against Wales, while in Badminton India open against Sri Lanka.

India are reigning Asian champions in women’s hockey.(Hockey India)

sports

Updated on Apr 04, 2018 08:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: A look at India’s gold medal prospects in Gold Coast

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2018, Hindustan Times takes a look at the Indians who could win gold medals in their respective events in Gold Coast.

The Indian contingent during the country's flag-hoisting ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2018 at Gold Coast in Australia on Monday.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Apr 04, 2018 04:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Organisers tightlipped over opening ceremony

Commonwealth Games 2018 organising committee suspended the accreditation of local broadcaster Channel 9 for publishing photographs of the final dress rehearsal.

An Australian dance troupe performs during the flag hoisting ceremony of the Commonwealth Games participating countries, at the Athletes Village in Gold Coast, Australia on Tuesday.(PTI)

sports

Published on Apr 03, 2018 10:14 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Chef de mission asks contingent to follow all protocol

Chef de mission of Indian contingent to the Commonwealth Games, Vikram Singh Sisodia called a meeting of senior officials and managers to warn them that strict action will be taken against anyone who breaches rules.

Vikram Singh Sisodia has severely reprimanded boxing team doctor Amol Patil for not following rules.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Apr 03, 2018 10:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: India aim to better Glasgow show in Gold Coast

In 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Indians came up with their best performance at home in New Delhi, crossing 100 medals and finishing second behind Australia. The tally reduced to 64 in Glasgow. This time there is optimism that India will surpass its Glasgow tally

Indian contingent with officials during the country's flag-hoisting ceremony at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia, on Monday.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Apr 03, 2018 07:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: India escape punishment for needle controversy

The Indian contingent will be served with a letter by the Commonwealth Games 2018 officials in Gold Coast for breaching the ‘no needle’ policy in the Games village.

The Indian contingent was reprimanded by the Commonwealth Games 2018 officials in Gold Coast for breaching the ‘no needle’ rule.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Apr 03, 2018 07:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Saurav Ghosal’s ranking boost gets him third seeding

Saurav Ghosal has moved to 13th spot in Professional Squash Association’s World Tour Rankings. The ranking boost will put Ghosal as the third seed for the men’s singles draw at Commonwealth Games 2018

Saurav Ghosal will go into the Commonwealth Games 2018 in a positive frame of mind.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Apr 02, 2018 06:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018: Why Indians are in the eye of the needle

Reports have put Indian boxers in the dock after a foreign expert with the team admitted that they brought the needles into the Commonwealth Games Village to treat a boxer

Needles were found near India’s accommodation at the athletes’ village in Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018.(Getty Images - image only for representative purposes)

sports

Updated on Apr 02, 2018 06:07 PM IST

Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: India women’s hockey team upbeat despite mixed results in warm-up games

India women’s hockey team, which won gold in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, registered a victory in a warm-up game against a local side but lost to Canada in another in their final build-up for the Games, which starts on April 4.

The India women’s hockey team defeated a local Queensland side 5-0 in their opening warm-up match of the Commonwealth Games 2018, but lost 1-3 to Canada on Sunday.(AFP)

sports

Updated on Apr 02, 2018 09:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Doping probe keeps Indian camp on tenterhooks

The Indian contingent is in the eye of a doping storm ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Federation officials are expected to come out with their report by Monday evening.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Apr 01, 2018 11:50 PM IST

Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Gold Coast braced for a wave of challenges

Gold Coast, the famous Queensland tourist stretch will be buzzing with athletes as the Commonwealth Games returns to Australia after 12 years

Rain clouds moving over the Gold Coast, the host city of 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Sunday.(AFP)

sports

Published on Apr 01, 2018 10:42 PM IST

Gold Coast | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Ashish Kumar, Aruna Reddy can floor rivals in gymnastics

Ashish Kumar, Aruna Reddy will lead the charge for India in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Ashish Kumar will be the most prominent medal contender for India in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games 2018.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Mar 31, 2018 09:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Indian basketball aims for giant leap in Gold Coast

Satnam Singh Bhamra, Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh will be key for the Indian basketball team as they look to excel at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Amritpal Singh will be an asset for the Indian basketball team in the Commonwealth Games 2018.(File Photo)

sports

Updated on Mar 31, 2018 10:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Sharath Kamal targets team gold in Table Tennis

Sharath Kamal won the men’s singles gold in 2006 Melbourne and led India to another in team competition. In 2010, he and Subhajit Saha won gold in men’s doubles as India bagged five medals.

Sharath Kamal on the men’s singles gold in 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and he will be aiming to give India the team gold medal.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Mar 28, 2018 10:28 PM IST

Hindustan Timses, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: Sjoerd Marijne’s India have task cut out

India will face their biggest challenge from Australia who have won all men’s hockey titles at the Commonwealth Games in past editions

The Indian men’s national hockey team will face a stiff challenge from Australia at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Mar 26, 2018 12:45 PM IST

Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Commonwealth Games 2018: No cakewalk, still great opportunity for India

India may not come close to their best haul of 2010 but wrestlers, shuttlers and shooters should raise the count at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018

PV Sindhu will be leading India’s charge at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018.(Getty Images)

sports

Updated on Mar 26, 2018 12:28 PM IST

Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

2018 CWG: Basketball teams’ preparation plans go haywire due to visa issues

Basketball Federation of India (BFI) had planned to send the Indian men’s and women’s teams to Gold Coast Cthree weeks in advance to acclimatise and play warm-up matches ahead of 2018 Commonwealth Games

Indian men’s basketball team head coach Rajinder Singh and women’s coach Shiba Maggon are among those who have not got visas to travel to 2018 Commonwealth Games.(HT Photo)

sports

Updated on Mar 21, 2018 12:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Indian hockey team players picked in midfield are better than Sardar Singh: Coach

Sardar Singh was dropped from the Indian hockey team’s Commonwealth Games squad that will be held in Gold Coast.

Indian hockey team player Sardar Singh in action against Ireland during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.(AFP)

sports

Updated on Mar 13, 2018 11:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Sardar Singh back as Indian hockey team captain for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

With a busy schedule ahead, Hockey India selectors decide to blood-in three youngsters for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, with Sardar Singh set to captain India at the tournament

Sardar Singh will captain the Indian men’s national hockey team at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.(FIH/Frank Uijlenbroek)

sports

Updated on Feb 20, 2018 12:58 PM IST

Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Tata Open Maharashtra win gives Gilles Simon’s tennis career a lifeline

Gilles Simon has made a strong start to 2018 after his tennis career went into a tailspin in the last two years

Gilles Simon has resurrected his tennis career after a loss of form.(HT Photo)

sports

Updated on Jan 07, 2018 08:00 PM IST

Pune | ByB Shrikant

Gilles Simon defeats Kevin Anderson to clinch Maharashtra Open tennis title

Gilles Simon registered a 7-6(4), 6-2 win over Kevin Anderson to win the Maharashtra Open tennis title in Pune on Saturday.

Gilles Simon poses with the Maharashtra Open tennis title after beating Kevin Anderson in the final.(AFP)

sports

Updated on Jan 06, 2018 10:21 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByB Shrikant

Yuki Bhambri eyes return to top-100 rankings in 2018

Yuki Bhambri is aiming to continue his improved run of form since recovering from injuries and is eyeing a return to the top-100 of the men’s singles world rankings

Yuki Bhambri has made a strong comeback since recovering from his injury issues.(PTI)

sports

Published on Jan 05, 2018 08:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByB Shrikant

Gilles Simon stuns Marin Cilic, to play Kevin Anderson in Tata Open tennis final

Gilles Simon won the nearly two-hour long slugfest against Marin Cilic 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to clinch his place in the final of the Tata Open Maharashtra tennis tournament where he will play Kevin Anderson, who beat Benoit Paire in the semis.

Gilles Simon of France celebrates after beating Marin Cilic of Croatia in the first semifinal of the Maharashtra Open ATP tennis tournament at the Balewadi Tennis stadium in Pune on Friday.(AFP)

sports

Updated on Jan 06, 2018 12:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByB Shrikant

Tata Open tennis: Marin Cilic too hot to handle for Pierre-Hugues Herbert

Marin Cilic defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert to reach the Tata Open tennis tournament semifinals.

Marin Cilic plays a shot against French tennis player Pierre-Hugues Herbert during the Tata Open tennis tournament.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Jan 05, 2018 09:11 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByB Shrikant

Marin Cilic all praise for Ramkumar Ramanathan after Tata Open match

Marin Cilic defeated Ramkumar Ramanathan in their second round encounter at the Tata Open tournament in Pune on Wednesday, but was full of praise for his Indian opponent. He was less complimentary about the tennis balls being used in the tournament.

Marin Cilic had some nice things to say about India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan, whom he defeated in the second round of the Tata Open Maharashtra tennis tournament on Wednesday in Pune.(REUTERS)

sports

Published on Jan 04, 2018 09:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByB Shrikant

Tata Open tennis: Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan crash out, Marin Cilic in last 8

Yuki Bhambri, top ranked Indian at 118 on the ATP chart, did get plenty of chances in his Tata Open tennis tournament match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who served big but failed to back it up with consistently good groundstrokes.

Yuki Bhambri serves to Pierre-Hugues Herbert during their second round at the Tata Open tennis tournament (Maharashtra) at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Wednesday.(HT Photo)

sports

Updated on Jan 03, 2018 11:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByB Shrikant

Viswanathan Anand says stability key factor in surge to World Rapid title

Viswanathan Anand, who was crowned the World Rapid Chess Champion in Riyadh, has pointed out some factors that affected his style of play in the last couple of years in an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times.

Viswanathan Anand secured the World Rapid title after a gap of 14 years with a magnificent performance in the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Riyadh.(Facebook)

sports

Updated on Jan 02, 2018 08:34 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Arjun Kadhe wants to make most of Tata Open tennis wildcard entry

Pune tennis player Arjun Kadhe has got a wildcard entry for the Tata Open, the country’s only ATP 250 Series event.

Pune tennis player Arjune Kadhe will be playing at the Tata Open.(HT Photo)

sports

Updated on Dec 28, 2017 09:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

Hockey year-ender: Nothing to cheer about, Asia Cup gold only hurrah for Indian team

Successes were few and far between till the Indian men’s hockey team ended the year with Asia Cup gold and bronze in Hockey World League Final and women emerged Asian champions.

The Indian hockey team won the Asia Cup in Dhaka in October. That was one of the highlights of 2017.(PTI)

sports

Updated on Dec 26, 2017 12:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByB Shrikant

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B Shrikant

B Shrikant anchors the Mumbai sports desk. A journalist for more than two decades, he covers hockey, chess, athletics, basketball and volleyball.

The 48kg world champion of 2017 is odds-on favourite to give India their first gold on Day 1 of competitions at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

Indian women’s hockey team, who won gold at 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester will start their campaign against Wales, while in Badminton India open against Sri Lanka.

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2018, Hindustan Times takes a look at the Indians who could win gold medals in their respective events in Gold Coast.

Commonwealth Games 2018 organising committee suspended the accreditation of local broadcaster Channel 9 for publishing photographs of the final dress rehearsal.

Chef de mission of Indian contingent to the Commonwealth Games, Vikram Singh Sisodia called a meeting of senior officials and managers to warn them that strict action will be taken against anyone who breaches rules.

In 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Indians came up with their best performance at home in New Delhi, crossing 100 medals and finishing second behind Australia. The tally reduced to 64 in Glasgow. This time there is optimism that India will surpass its Glasgow tally

The Indian contingent will be served with a letter by the Commonwealth Games 2018 officials in Gold Coast for breaching the ‘no needle’ policy in the Games village.

Saurav Ghosal has moved to 13th spot in Professional Squash Association’s World Tour Rankings. The ranking boost will put Ghosal as the third seed for the men’s singles draw at Commonwealth Games 2018

Reports have put Indian boxers in the dock after a foreign expert with the team admitted that they brought the needles into the Commonwealth Games Village to treat a boxer

India women’s hockey team, which won gold in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, registered a victory in a warm-up game against a local side but lost to Canada in another in their final build-up for the Games, which starts on April 4.

The Indian contingent is in the eye of a doping storm ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Gold Coast, the famous Queensland tourist stretch will be buzzing with athletes as the Commonwealth Games returns to Australia after 12 years

Ashish Kumar, Aruna Reddy will lead the charge for India in gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Satnam Singh Bhamra, Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh will be key for the Indian basketball team as they look to excel at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Sharath Kamal won the men’s singles gold in 2006 Melbourne and led India to another in team competition. In 2010, he and Subhajit Saha won gold in men’s doubles as India bagged five medals.

India will face their biggest challenge from Australia who have won all men’s hockey titles at the Commonwealth Games in past editions

India may not come close to their best haul of 2010 but wrestlers, shuttlers and shooters should raise the count at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018

Basketball Federation of India (BFI) had planned to send the Indian men’s and women’s teams to Gold Coast Cthree weeks in advance to acclimatise and play warm-up matches ahead of 2018 Commonwealth Games

Sardar Singh was dropped from the Indian hockey team’s Commonwealth Games squad that will be held in Gold Coast.

With a busy schedule ahead, Hockey India selectors decide to blood-in three youngsters for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, with Sardar Singh set to captain India at the tournament

Gilles Simon has made a strong start to 2018 after his tennis career went into a tailspin in the last two years

Gilles Simon registered a 7-6(4), 6-2 win over Kevin Anderson to win the Maharashtra Open tennis title in Pune on Saturday.

Yuki Bhambri is aiming to continue his improved run of form since recovering from injuries and is eyeing a return to the top-100 of the men’s singles world rankings

Gilles Simon won the nearly two-hour long slugfest against Marin Cilic 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to clinch his place in the final of the Tata Open Maharashtra tennis tournament where he will play Kevin Anderson, who beat Benoit Paire in the semis.

Marin Cilic defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert to reach the Tata Open tennis tournament semifinals.

Marin Cilic defeated Ramkumar Ramanathan in their second round encounter at the Tata Open tournament in Pune on Wednesday, but was full of praise for his Indian opponent. He was less complimentary about the tennis balls being used in the tournament.

Yuki Bhambri, top ranked Indian at 118 on the ATP chart, did get plenty of chances in his Tata Open tennis tournament match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who served big but failed to back it up with consistently good groundstrokes.

Viswanathan Anand, who was crowned the World Rapid Chess Champion in Riyadh, has pointed out some factors that affected his style of play in the last couple of years in an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times.

Pune tennis player Arjun Kadhe has got a wildcard entry for the Tata Open, the country’s only ATP 250 Series event.

Successes were few and far between till the Indian men’s hockey team ended the year with Asia Cup gold and bronze in Hockey World League Final and women emerged Asian champions.

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