Leslie Xavier

Technical numbers favour Yogeshwar

Technical numbers favour Yogeshwar for gold, but for grey area in rules: Experts

Numbers give Dutt an advantage but wrestling is a sport that prides itself in deciding the winner by straightforward technical edge on the mat which even a layman can understand.

From Rohtak to Rio, Sakshi Malik is the new face of Indian wrestling

Malik was not there to lose and was not willing to give up on her dream. The 23-year-old later told the media how she kept reiterating that to herself right through her campaign to the medal in Rio.

Pink ball in Duleep trophy a crucial experiment for Test cricket

It is too early to call day-night Tests and the pink ball as game-changers and a revolution, but the idea just might click if it manages to capture the fancy of the crowd T20 caters to—the prime time sports fan.

World champs, continental strongmen in Yogeshwar’s path to Rio medal

Yogeshwar Dutt is fighting in what is arguably the most competitive division in the Olympic fold — the 65kg freestyle category — on Sunday.

Can Yogeshwar do a repeat of London in Rio, or will he ‘roll’ to gold?

The roll, which was the last throw of the dice by Yogeshwar in his 60kg wrestling freestyle bronze-medal match against Ri Jong Myong of North Korea has now entered Indian Olympic folklore.

Four world beaters in Yogeshwar’s path

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt fights injury, tough draw as he begins Rio bid

The 65 kg competition has best wrestlers from both 60 and 66kg categories.

After Rio silver, future looks bright as PV Sindhu evolves towards perfection

The tempo, the intensity in her eyes and in the way she moved around the court both during and after play… Every single movement PV Sindhu made at the badminton arena in Rio on Friday was announcing the obvious—she has arrived in a grand scale, the way only champions arrive.

Sakshi’s uncluttered mind reminds us of a young Sushil

With Sakshi Malik’s win, India’s love affair with repechage continues

Repechage. India has a love affair with the French term that dates back to the Beijing Olympics.

With clarity of mind and technique, Sakshi reminds one of young Sushil

There is a certain amount of stubbornness in Sushil, something we see only in champions. Sakshi has that willpower and she portrayed that on the mat in Rio.

Srikanth’s best strategy for Lin Dan in Rio quarters: Keep him busy at the net

Srikanth is pretty adept at drops so that will be a big help. In his match against Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark, the Indian showed his remarkable court coverage as well, which will come in handy while facing Dan.

But first... let our Olympic athletes rest, Mr Vijay Goel

Vijay Goel is not the first Indian politician whose presence in a sports venue has meant added physical distress for competing athletes

Late goal hints at loss of focus

Slow to counter tactical changes, Indian hockey team’s late goal voodoo remains

The 1-2 loss against Germany after a late goal on Monday is not the first time India have lost in the dying moments of a match in a major tournament. While losing focus is blamed, failure to read and respond to subtle micro-tactical changes in the game is a more accurate explanation for the loss.