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By K.R. Nayar From the Cricket Club of India Mumbai.  Snooker in a historic cricket venue like the Cricket Club of India at the Brabourne Stadium was exciting. Having reported only cricket from this venue over the years, the CCI Snooker Classic tournament 2026 being held there, with the best of snooker artistry on display, created a refreshingly different feeling. The fact that this tournament has been held for nearly 60 years and that this venue, known more for cricketing legends, had opened its doors for this elegant sport, shows the magnanimity of the members here in encouraging other sports too. For an event to be staged for nearly six decades demands not just passion, but unwavering commitment from its dedicated members. A get-together of all the snooker stars during the CCI Snooker Classic 2026. Photo by K.R. Nayar A warm get-together of snooker lovers and journalists was then held at the CK Nayudu Hall, where nostalgia mingled with admiration. I was fortunate to mee...

By K.R. Nayar From Wankhede Stadium   Mumbai.  A special function was held at the Wankhede Stadium press box during the ICC T20 semifinal between India and England. It stirred nostalgia and emotion in equal measure. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), along with the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM), unveiled an Honours Board dedicated to sports journalists of Mumbai who have passed away after serving the game with distinction. The Honours Board of Sports Journalists at the Wankhede Stadium after being unveiled by Ajinkya Naik, President of the Mumbai Cricket Association. Photo by K.R. Nayar  For many who grew up reading these journalists, and whose names now adorn the Honours Board, it was a deeply nostalgic moment. For me, it was even more emotional, for I have interacted with some of them closely at work and during our travels to many cricket centres around the world. Ajinkya Naik, President of the Mumbai Cricket Association unveils the Honour...

By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. Nearly 1,30,000 fans had poured into the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, carrying hopes, their lucky jerseys, their nervous heartbeats, and prayers, all with sole hope that India emerges victorious . All they wanted was to see India beat New Zealand and become the only country to win this title thrice, and in the process record back-to-back title triumphs and earn the honour of being the only host nation to win the Cup. They witnessed all of this and walked out with voices hoarse from the cheering and hearts overflowing with pride and joy. A rare happy place on earth This was not merely a cricket final but a rare occasion to sit amidst over 100,000 over- joyous people. After Jasprit Bumrah produced that great spell to crush New Zealand’s final hopes of victory, almost everyone was dancing, a few were seen simply jumping, and most were constantly screaming in joy. Where on earth would 100,000 people with the same emotion sit...

By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ is one of the most popular books written by American author and teacher Dale Carnegie. The tension and pressure among the fans here is so palpable that a book on ‘How to watch a cricket final calmly’ would be a useful handbook. During the pre-match press conference, both captains were asked about pressure on them before the final. Since there are no reference books, their responses were repetitive.  Today, the city is like a pressure cooker, with fans who would act like the whistle. Superstition is also likely to rule the day with many believing that a small movement could result in the fall of a wicket, even though they may know that sitting long without movement can be more dangerous than smoking. I wonder whether anyone would go to the extent of even refusing to change his breathing pattern once his team starts doing well. Since there have been so many instances of people no...

By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. It’s not cricketers alone who prepare hard for the final but also the fans, though they have their net practice sessions in tea shops and at homes. There are groups that have pooled money to celebrate the whole day and also keep some aside for late-night celebrations if India emerge champions. In the 2023 ICC 50-over World Cup, all such planning was busted after Australia beat India by six wickets here, and walking out after that match with the crowd was like being part of a funeral procession. A new cheerleader for Suryakumar Yadav. Photo by K.R. Nayar  Cheer leaders new and old The cheerleaders of Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni paint their whole bodies in Indian flag colours 24 hours before the start of the match. Now, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav too has a cheerleader who has painted his body exactly like the fans of Tendulkar and Dhoni. Even if the aura that Tendulkar and Dhoni possessed is ageing, that ...