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Is the India–Pakistan contest turning into a fading rivalry?

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By K.R. Nayar From R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo. India’s 61-run win over Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium was nothing but a familiar script. This time it was louder, too bold, and ruthless. Once upon a time, India–Pakistan clashes were heart-racing and nail-biting. If this is the trend, very soon cricket fans in Pakistan will have to tell their coming generation that there was a time when their team used to give India a strong fight, but that was very long ago. The suspense of an India-Pakistan match has already started to fade. However, fans are still eager to watch, hoping for a twist leading to an intense battle. Unfortunately, that has not been happening in the last few years. Pakistan came in with hope. But India sent them back with a reminder that they are too strong for them. When one team keeps getting it right and the other is searching for answers, the contest starts losing its bite. In the chapter of rivalry between the two teams, one team is writing history; t...
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Long live cricket, long live India–Pakistan clashes

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By K.R. Nayar From R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo. In Sri Lanka, every welcome carries a blessing. The word ‘Ayubowan’ in Sinhalese is not just a greeting — it is a wish, “may you live long.” On an India-Pakistan match day, for the fans, it could well be “May cricket live long and India-Pakistan matches keep happening.” Since Tamil is also a popular language here, and many Sri Lankans are fluent in this language, this makes quite a few journalists feel at home.  The Premadasa Stadium dressed in world cup colours. Photo by K.R. Nayar   Sri Lankans and the grace of good manners There is something deeply calming about Sri Lanka’s cricketing culture. Even when the tension of an India–Pakistan clash crackles in the air, the people here manage to soften its edges. Sri Lanka, as hosts, don’t just organise — they embrace. Cricketers, officials, volunteers — all carry an easy warmth. It reflects in their smiles, in their patience, and in their humility. The greats of Sri La...
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Beyond rivalry: My friendship with Pakistan journalist Shahid Hashmi

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By K.R. Nayar From R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo. For nearly three decades, we have travelled the world covering cricket and meeting each other at iconic venues across continents. Shahid Akhtar Hashmi from Pakistan, simply known as Shahid Hashmi, is more than a journalist friend. He writes for Agence France-Presse (AFP), speaks on ARY News Television, and has also written for Indian newspapers. Since India-Pakistan matches offer a feast of stories, our job has always been to savour the joy of writing them. With Shahid Hashmi at the R. Premadasa Stadium press box   .  The animosity between the two nations and the fierce rivalry both on and off the field has never affected our relationship because we wrote only about cricket and nothing else. Whenever our respective team has either won or lost, we’ve congratulated or consoled each other. The noise of politics never entered our space. Those late-night rides back to the hotel after an India-Pakistan clash remain unforgettable...
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Into the cauldron of cricket’s fiercest pressure — in beautiful Sri Lanka

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By K.R. Nayar From R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo. It was special to arrive in the land of Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Muralitharan. But sentiment quickly gave way to intensity—the India–Pakistan showdown has turned the atmosphere into a cauldron. Even without being a player, one can feel the intense pressure. Imagine what it must be for the players. Shocking results like Zimbabwe beating Australia makes Sunday’s India-Pakistan even more un- predictable.  In a contest like this, reputation counts for little and statistics are mere decoration. Matches of this magnitude are decided by those who can silence the noise and execute under pressure.  The Ministry of Crab advert at the Colombo airport  Sangakkara and Jayawardene’s Ministry of Crab The first striking image on arrival in Colombo is a massive billboard of the famed Ministry of Crab, a restaurant owned by Sangakkara and Jayawardene. Like their partnership in cricket, they have run this joint successfully for ne...
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Pandya’s brutality, Kishan’s elegance, and the colourful food coupons

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By K.R. Nayar From Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi. Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan turned Thursday evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium into a festival of fearless stroke play. They gifted India a 93-run win. Kishan’s batting was like that of a man who was set free to go out and enjoy hitting freely. It was a treat to watch his footwork and the elegant swing of his bat that makes the ball slice through the gap on its way to the boundary. When he drove on the up, the ball sped across the turf as if pulled by an invisible string. He executed his pull not with brute force alone but with exquisite timing. What makes Kishan special is his audacity. He rules over the bowlers. His 61 off 24 balls set the stage for India’s victory. He got many hoping that India might break the record for the highest total.  Pandya, the street fighter Pandya walked in to the field with a swagger. He his aware of his role as a finisher, and he finished off Namibia’s hopes of restricting India to a total...
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Why a Super Over finish is brutal and a heartbreak but breathtaking?

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By K.R. Nayar From Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi.  Without doubt, a Super Over is a heartbreak for the losing team. The sorrow in the Afghanistan camp was impossible to console. It is quite likely that had South Africa lost the match, fans may not have been so upset given that the Proteas are a power in world cricket and have played more international matches than Afghanistan.  However, the real winner was cricket, and this Super Over has elevated the charm of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. This match was not a tie-breaker but a contest that tested the heartbeat of almost every fan. A match goes into the Super Over when the skill and strategy of both teams cannot decide a match and it demands one final burst of audacity through six balls. In this match, two Super Overs were needed to decide the winner. Of late, South Africa has erased their chokers tag, and they did that in this match too. Cricket turns beautiful when it is fought tooth and nail. Million pulses race ...
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Gambhir in his own territory, Team India’s focus on fitness, and a rivalry beyond numbers

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By K.R. Nayar From Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi.  It is Team India coach Gautam Gambhir’s territory. The moment you settle into your seat in the press box at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and lift your eyes, the stands bearing his name stare right back at you. Being his home ground, he knows the pitch best and would have made sure it is not a tricky wicket like the one in Mumbai for the next match against Namibia on February 12. Immediately after the team landed from Mumbai on February 8, Gambhir hosted a dinner for the team at his residence. He has done it before too. His wife Natasha and daughters Aazeen and Anaiza welcomed the players and support staff.  This is when Gambhir turns host rather than a coach. ICC statistics revealing an increase in T20 World Cup viewership  Fitness first, vigilance always If there is one thing non-negotiable in this campaign, it is fitness. Team India knows its strength lies in its most valuable players staying match-ready. So, Tuesday’...
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