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Saturday, April 18, 2020  

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Saturday, April 18, 2020

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FOR THE FORTNIGHT APRIL 5­18, 2020

Volume 43 Number 8  ISSN 0971 359x 

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A letter to our readers
Dear readers,
We  are  all  facing  immense  challenges  because  of  the
Covid­19 pandemic. While we unitedly ght this latest threat to
humanity, life as we know it stands transformed. 
Your health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to
us and we at Sportstar ask you, dear readers, to stay indoors so
we can emerge stronger from this crisis.
The pandemic has also forced us to take some extraordinary
decisions,  and  for  the  rst  time  in  nearly  42  years,  we  have
decided to put our print issue on hold till at least April 15. The
nationwide  lockdown  enforced  for  our  safety  makes  it  near
impossible  for  us  to  ensure  the  delivery  of  your  favourite
magazine  to  your  doorstep.  We  are,  however,  committed  to
restarting the print magazine at the earliest. For the time being,
we  oer  this  free  downloadable  version  of  the  magazine.  We
have also made our April 4 issue available.
This issue highlights the challenges faced by the sporting
world and will also oer a view of the #WFH (Work from Home)
diaries of India’s top athletes, like P. V. Sindhu, Mithali Raj, A.
Sharath Kamal, P. R. Sreejesh, Shikhar Dhawan, Leander Paes
and others. India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist Abh­
inav Bindra in our Cover Story writes about the “right decision”
to  postpone  the  Tokyo  Olympics  to  2021  and  the  need  for
4 The  coronavirus  pandemic  has
played  havoc  with  human  life  across
athletes to stay positive in these trying times. the  globe,  beyond  anyone’s
To  help  you  through  these  dicult  times,  we  have  also imagination.  Life  goes  on,  sans  the  daily
opened our archives and each day we will carry two long­form dose  of  sports.  In  such  a  depressing
interviews from the past on our website sportstar.thehindu.com. scenario,  there  was  no  other  way  than
These interviews will cover every sport and include personalit­ postpone  the  Tokyo  2020  Olympics,
ies  like  Kapil  Dev,  Sunil  Gavaskar,  Sachin  Tendulkar,  Viv writes  Abhinav  Bindra.
Richards, Imran Khan, Virat Kohli, Allan Border, Edwin Moses,
Pargat  Singh,  Prakash  Padukone,  Carl  Lewis  and  many  more. LOCKDOWN  DIARIES...
You, too, can reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook or by email 12 P. V. Sindhu
(sportstar@thehindu.co.in) and tell us about your favourite in­
terviews and articles from past issues of Sportstar. We will be 24 Vijender Singh
more than happy to republish them online.
There  is  also  a  Really  Tough  daily  sports  quiz  and  our 48 Leander Paes
reporters will continue to le special stories and interviews and
ensure a regular reading x for all of you. 57 Shikhar Dhawan
Sport has always been a great unier, a source of joy and And more...
hope  across  the  globe,  and  it  will  re­emerge  with  renewed
vigour  once  we  are  past  this  crisis.  Till  then,  stay  indoors, Design: R. Ravikannan
continue reading Sportstar and stay safe. Poster: India’s 2011 World Cup­winning team 
— Ayon Sengupta, Editor (K. R. Deepak) (Pages 35­42)

sportstar.thehindu.com sportstarweb sportstar@thehindu.co.in


Published by N. Ravi, Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860 Anna Salai, Chennai­600 002 and Printed by T. Ravi at Kala Jyothi Process Private Limited, Survey No.185, Kondapur, Ranga Reddy District­500 133, Telangana on behalf of THG
PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai­600 002. Editor: Ayon Sengupta (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
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Air Surcharge: Colombo  15.00 | Port Blair  10.00

SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 3


COVER STORY
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All set and then... In this file photo, the Olympic Flame burns during a ceremony in Fukushima City, northern
Japan. The Games have been postponed to 2021 following the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe. AP

The only way out!
There is a lot riding on the Olympics. The scenario has given a longer
preparation time. Enjoy every moment, take all positives, soak in them, and
resist frustration, so as to be at your best when it matters.

T
he majority of humanity is under lock­ mittees, IOC members and various others.
down.  The  unprecedented  coronavirus It was decided that postponement was the
pandemic has played havoc with human best way forward, and was conveyed to the
life  across  the  globe,  beyond IOC administration.
anyone’s imagination. Life goes So  many  countries  are  in  a
on, sans the daily dose of sports. state of lockdown. It is a complex
In  such  a  depressing  scen­ situation.  For  the  Olympics,  so
ario,  there  was  no  other  way much  organisation  is  involved.
than  postpone  the  Tokyo  2020 There are so many stake holders,
Olympics.  The  International the  IOC,  the  Organising  Com­
Olympic  Committee  (IOC)  had mittee,  the  Japanese  govern­
set a time frame of four weeks to ment,  sponsors  and
decide on hosting the Olympics, broadcasters.
but decided within two days. Cancellation  of  the  Games
We had a conference call be­ ABHINAV  BINDRA was never on the agenda. Every­
fore the decision was taken with body  would  like  to  see  the
200  athlete  representatives  from  Interna­ Olympics.  Now,  when  it  is  held  between
tional Federations, National Olympic Com­ July 23 to August 8, 2021, it will be a celeb­
4 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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Gone with corona:  People look out from a highrise viewing area at the newly-built Japan National Stadium,
the main venue for the 2020 Olympic Games, in Tokyo, the day after the historic decision to postpone the
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The postponement of the Olympics has dealt a savage blow to Japan’s hotels
and tourism industry already reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

ration  of  humanity.  In  sport,  timing  is It  was  the  right  decision  and  good  for
everything.  You  need  to  get  the  timing everyone.  It  saved  everyone  the  anxiety
right. caused by uncertainty and suspense.
The  fact  is,  about  40%  of  the  athletes It was a relief for athletes, especially so
have  not  qualied  yet.  The  qualication as the earlier emphasis was that the Games
events  have  to  be  held,  and  they  have  to would  go  on,  as  planned,  on  the  original
make it as fair as possible. A schedule has to dates.  World  health  is  of  primary  import­
be  made  at  a  certain  point.  The  IOC  has ance,  sports  is  secondary.  All  the  athletes
already started working on them. The bor­ recognise the situation and appreciate this.
ders have to open, travel has to be revived. The athletes are the most resilient species.
Considering the complexity of the scen­ They are used to a rejig of plans. The focus
ario, the decision was made quite quickly. has to be to try and stay healthy. Make the
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 5
COVER STORY
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Get, reset, go:  The countdown clock of the Tokyo Olympic Games was restarted in front of the JR Tokyo
Station on March 31, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. The Olympic Games will be now be held between July 23 to
August 8 in 2021 while the Paralympic Games will be held between August 24 and September 5, 2021.
GETTY IMAGES
best  of  what  you  have,  when  the  world venues  have  been  readied  well  ahead  of
stands still. time.  The  enthusiasm  and  zeal  of  the
It is indeed a huge challenge for Japan. I people to host the Games, as the most suc­
have never been to Japan. When they hos­ cessful  ever,  is  denitely  an  advantage  in
ted the Asian Games in Hiroshima in 1994, I meeting the challenges. 
was not in the reckoning at that level. When There  is  no  denying  that  it  is  a  huge
they staged the Asian Air Gun Champion­ puzzle  with  so  many  dierent  missing
ship  in  Wako  City  in  2017,  I  had  quit  the parts. The world economy scenario will play
sport. I was scheduled to be in Tokyo this an  important  role.  Apart  from  economy,
April  for  a  lecture,  and  wanted  to  look several  humongous  challenges  will  be
around a bit for myself, but had to cancel there,  owing  to  uncertainty.  The  Olympic
the plan. The eciency of the Japanese is Games may have some changes. We don’t
well  documented.  They  have  overcome know what is going to happen.
many  historic  hurdles  down  the  years  to The  bright  point  is  that  everybody  is
rmly  stay  on  the  road  of  progress.  The positive  about  the  Games.  Patience  is  the
6 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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Authorspeak: “It was a relief for athletes, especially so as the earlier emphasis was that the Games would go
on, as planned, on the original dates. World health is of primary importance, sports is secondary. All the
athletes recognise the situation and appreciate this. The athletes are the most resilient species. They are
used to a rejig of plans. The focus has to be to try and stay healthy. Make the best of what you have, when
the world stands still,” says Bindra. KAMESH SRINIVASAN

need of the hour. evolve as better human beings.
The  situation  is  dierent  for  dierent As athletes, we lead a privileged life. We
athletes. Some may be on top of their game have to be grateful for what we have. Appre­
and ready to peak. Their good preparation ciate  the  smaller  things  in  life  which  we
may look to have been undone by the cur­ tend to ignore, and take them for granted,
rent scenario. The Indian shooters come in as a matter of right. There is grief and suf­
this  category  as  they  were  on  top  of  their fering,  as  people  have  a  tough  life.  This
game. They may have to restart and get it should be a time for introspection and men­
right all over again. Those who have been tal growth.
struggling, will heave a sigh of relief. They At the same time, it is important not to
don’t have to reach the Games under­pre­ allow frustration to strike a negative streak
pared.  They  can  make  themselves  better of thoughts. It is time for athletes, to bond
with the available time. with family and friends. To show solidarity
For the young athletes who are trying to with them in this situation of global crisis.
build their career, it is a chance to learn. It And to stay in a good frame of mind..
prepares them better for life. In times like There  is  a  lot  riding  on  the  Olympics.
these,  you  learn  to  get  out  of  the  sport­ The scenario has given a longer preparation
centric  bubble  that  you  oat  around,  and time.  Enjoy  every  moment,  take  all  posit­
look at life with a wider lens. When you see ives, soak in them, and resist frustration, so
what  the  world  is  facing,  it  helps  you  to as to be at your best when it matters. •
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 7
OLYMPICS POSTPONEMENT REACTIONS
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A RELIEVED LOT
With the Tokyo Olympics now scheduled to be held from July 23 to August
8, 2021, here’s what some athletes, coaches and administrators have to say.

The news is a bit disappointing, but then again, human health is the
priority. I am sure a lot of thinking has gone behind the decisions that
have been taken. Please follow the WHO and government guidelines
and stay at home.
— Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker

People should take this pandemic seriously and follow guidelines. They
should do this voluntarily. Countries in Europe are very small and they
have  better  medical  services  but  they  are  facing  a  huge  crisis.  Our
country is much bigger with a lot of poor people. If our country reaches
stage 3 (of the pandemic) it may really have a devastating eect. We
should try and contain the disease before that happens. So, each one of
us should be a responsible citizen and try to maintain social distancing.
— Javelin shooter Neeraj Chopra

It’s great to get some clarity about the new starting date for the Tokyo
Olympic Games. This allows us to begin the planning process to be ready
for July next year. In the meantime, we are looking forward to getting
through  this  current  tough  period  and  hope  to  be  back  out  on  the
training eld as soon as possible.
— India men’s hockey team coach Graham Reid

It’s good we have certainty when the Olympics will be held and we can
work towards that. We are all in the same campus and available for each
other in these hard times, a new date for the Olympics is good news for
all of us. But for now, we are living by the day, staying strong mentally
and physically and wait eagerly to get back to our normal routine. We
are prepared to hit the reset button.
— India women’s hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne

8 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR


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One can understand the uncertainty over this year’s 2020 Tokyo Games
due to the coronavirus pandemic because human lives are much more
precious than anything in sport. The Olympics can wait. When you see
the happenings around you, especially the sad situation in Italy where
thousands of lives have been lost, you feel so emotional. We are staying
positive, hoping that this would go away from this world soon. We are
happy that eorts are being made here to ensure that the deadly virus
does not reach the third stage.
— Olympic track­and­eld athlete P. T. Usha

This  was  every  athletes’  worst  fear  and  it  has  come  true.  Everybody
knows that competing in the Olympics is the toughest test for an athlete
but I believe waiting for an opportunity to be on that stage is tougher! I
don't  really  know  what  to  say  right  now  but  inside  me  there  is  a
roller­coaster of emotions! This is a very crucial time for the world and
the greater sporting fraternity. Though I am very deeply disappointed, it
is important more than ever to see the silver lining in this dark cloud.
— Wrestler Vinesh Phogat

There were eight World cups but now there are only two left, which
were supposed to happen in March but got postponed to June due to
coronavirus outbreak. Given the situation, they perhaps will happen
next year. So it gives me more time to recover and prepare for the two
events. I will give my best to return to form and hopefully I can do well
and qualify. But having said that, what is important right now is that we
defeat this coronavirus, that is the priority.
— Olympian gymnast Dipa Karmakar

In view of the COVID­19 pandemic, I wish to donate my one month’s
salary to the PM National Relief Fund. So, please debit an amount of Rs
1,00,000 from my account.
— Six­time world champion boxer and Rajya Sabha member
M. C. Mary Kom said in a letter to the bank where her salary
account is maintained

First of all, we need to ght coronavirus. The situation in the whole
world is very critical and having Olympics at this time is a big thing and
we don't know how long it (coronavirus) will go. So, if the Olympics are
held after coronavirus is controlled, it will benet all athletes. So safety
is rst and then Olympics.
— Wrestler Bajrang Punia

SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 9


OLYMPICS POSTPONEMENT REACTIONS
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We didn’t want to have the athletes in a position where they were counter­
ing government advice, maybe even breaking the law. And of course, in the
back  of  their  minds  was  always  that  concern,  it  wasn’t  just  their  own
training  programme,  but  that  they  ran  the  risk  of  eectively  infecting
themselves, their families, their kids, grandparents or parents, and we just
wanted to take them out of that mental turmoil as quickly as we possibly
could. We’re no dierent from everyone else out there but I think we just
concluded that sport, on this occasion, had to take a back seat.
– World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe

Of course this is a global problem. We must ght it. But what is crucial now
is the safety of my family. That is why we are keeping safe as we see how
things  unfold  regarding  the  virus.  It  has  aected  everyone  around  the
world and the only solution is to follow guidelines set by the government.
— Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge

This is the time for people from all countries, backgrounds and races to
rally together to save as many lives as we can. To me, that is the Olympic
spirit. To the people of Japan: stay strong, hang in there, and let's show
the world our beautiful country when the time is right in 2021.
— Two­time tennis Grand Slam singles champion 
Naomi Osaka

If  the  Olympics  had  been  cancelled,  as  opposed  to  postponed,  that
would’ve broken me as I wouldn’t then have had a chance to do what no one
else in taekwondo has ever done. I’m just grateful the Olympics are still on.
— Jade Jones on getting a chance to become the rst athlete
in her sport to claim three Olympic gold medals

As athletes, we’re so regimented. At this point, all the work is done. We’re
just ne­tuning the small things to get to this point. Now it’s like, ‘Oh …
we’re not competing.’ All these emotions start aring up. I really think
mental health is so important right now. Just control what you can control.
We’re  in  such  uncharted  waters.  We’re  getting  all  these  big  questions
thrown at us: What if? What if? What if? It’s so hard to understand. We’re
having a hard time just wrapping our head around it.
— 24­time Olympic swimming medallist Michael Phelps

10 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR


LOCKDOWN DIARIES P. V. SINDHU
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Truly special:

It is dicult to “When you go


through these kind
of moments, you

be in isolation would love to


remember the
highs of your
career and for me
In an interview, world the 2016 Rio
badminton champion P. V. Olympics silver
(left) and the
Sindhu shares her thoughts
2019 World
on the dreaded coronavirus Championships are
pandemic and how she is the moments that I
would love to see
spending her time at this again and again
critical phase. whenever time
permits,” said
V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM Sindhu. AFP

W
orld champion P. V. Sindhu is going
through  a  dierent  kind  of  experi­
ence at home — in self­isolation — on
return from the All England Championships
along with her father P. V. Ramana.
In a chat with Sportstar, the 24­year­old
lead  shuttler  shares  her  thoughts  on  the
dreaded coronavirus pandemic and how she
is spending her time at this critical phase.

How were the last few days for you in
the wake of the coronavirus fast
spreading across the world?
I feel sad at what is happening around the
world. These are extremely testing times for
all of us. No doubt, it is very dicult to stay
indoors, especially for athletes like me. But,
again, there are certain things that are not
in  our  hands  but  merit  utmost  caution  in
whatever we do. It is going to be tough, but We  didn’t  experience  any  tough  times the academy and train as everything is shut
we have to mentally prepared for the chal­ on arrival in London or in Hyderabad. The down now, and it is the right thing to do. I
lenges ahead. usual medical tests were in place thanks to don’t think the break in training will have a
the eorts of the government, which again major  bearing  when  I  start  playing,  for  I
Do you have enough hand sanitisers should be appreciated. have been doing physical conditioning ex­
and other related gear? ercises to stay t and also bit of wall practice
In  fact,  when  we  went  to  the  All  England Do you think your family might be fed under  the  watchful  eyes  of  my  father
Championships a few days ago just when the up of you by the end of all this? (former international volleyball player and
dreaded coronavirus was fast spreading and It is denitely not like that, for everyone is Arjuna awardee P. V. Ramana).
there  were  even  serious  concerns  about conscious of the dangers that are posed by
playing  there,  we  were  fully  prepared, the virus. So, like any other citizen, we too What do you have to say about the
armed with all these things, for safety and are taking care of ourselves by not moving Olympics?
health  are  obviously  the  rst  priority.  We out.  In  fact,  after  coming  back  from  Eng­ Frankly, right now I am not thinking about
V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

had  a  huge  stock  of  sanitisers  and  wipes, land, we were conned to our home. that at all. Yes, many big events which help


which we used to even clean the seats even the players pick up crucial points to qualify
though  we  were  few  in  the  business  class. How has your training been aected? for Tokyo Games are cancelled. I don’t know
So, in a way, it was a dierent kind of experi­ Yes, it is the longest break I have ever had whether  they  will  be  held  on  schedule  or
ence but which again helped us to protect since  I  started  playing  the  sport.  See,  it  is postponed. It was appropriate to postpone
ourselves from the virus. inevitable for obviously you cannot travel to the Games given the critical situation pre­
12 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 13
LOCKDOWN DIARIES P. V. SINDHU
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all BWF events till at least the second week
of  April.  As  far  as  the  All  England  is  con­
cerned, it is for the BWF to take a call on the
criticism. I don’t want to get into that.

What videos would you love to see
during this break?
Honestly, there is nothing specic. I spend
my time watching Netix, listening to mu­
sic (again, nothing in particular). Yes, when
you go through these kind of moments, you
would love to remember the highs of your
career  and  for  me  the  2016  Rio  Olympics
silver  and  the  2019  World  Championships
are  the  moments  that  I  would  love  to  see
again  and  again  whenever  time  permits.
They are truly special for me.

What are your hobbies and are you able
to enjoy during this break?
Honestly,  before  this  break,  there  was  no
time, literally, at all to think about what I
would  like  to  do  in  my  free  time,  for  the
schedule was so demanding and I had real
diculty in balancing my training, commit­
ments  and  spending  time  with  my  family
members.  But  now,  I  watch  some  movies,
again, not the full length, as I tend to switch
on to other things.
Well,  news  is  what  I  am  watching  the
most now. I am keen to know what is hap­
pening around the world. Of course, I miss
my  nephew  (elder  sister’s  18­month­old
son Aaryan) the most, though I make video
calls to him.

Which players or teammates would you
like to be isolated with or hate to be (in
a lighter vein)?
It is dicult to be in isolation. But, by god’s
grace,  it  is  my  dad  who  is  with  me.  It  is  a
blessing in disguise that he was with me in
London for the All England. I couldn’t ask
for  a  better  person  than  him.  Being  a
sportsperson,  he  knows  how  to  keep  my
morale  high  and  obviously  spends  lot  of
Passing time: “I vailing across the globe. It is great to see the time in giving useful tips about improving
watch some organisers  show  so  much  concern  for  the my tness and game, too.
movies...not the full health  of  everyone.  Given  the  grim  scen­
length, as I tend to ario,  I  don’t  think  any  sportsperson  was Does sport matter in these times?
switch on to other solely  concerned  about  the  Olympics.  We I  must  say  it  is  a  dicult  phase.  We  have
things,” says will have to take it as it comes. never faced this kind of experience before.
Sindhu. K. PICHUMANI Apparently, when everything is shut down
Do you justify the hosting of the All for  the  fear  of  the  virus,  you  can’t  expect
England Championships while many sporting activity to go on. After all, safety of
other events are cancelled by the one and all is the priority of the government
Badminton World Federation (BWF)? and  also  the  responsibility  of  every
Frankly, I welcome the decision to suspend citizen. •
14 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
LOCKDOWN DIARIES KIDAMBI SRIKANTH
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#WFH: “I am right
now in Guntur.
With the Academy
shut down and all
BWF events
suspended, there is
very little I can do
except trying a few
things to stay fit,”
says Kidambi
Srikanth. AP

2017 and after!
Injuries at crucial times have hamstrung Kidambi Srikanth. The threat of the
Coronavirus is not helping either.
V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

K
idambi Srikanth must be thinking how thoughts of his journey, how he reached the
true the old adage is — scaling the sum­ pinnacle  and  where  his  career  is  headed
mit  is  easier  than  staying  there  for now.
long! “Six  years  before  I  became  No.1,  I  re­
Well, this badminton champion was on member I was ranked World No. 336. Then,
top  of  the  World,  ranked  No.1,  in  April the target was to think of being in the top
2018. Things looked really rosy during that 300, then in 250, then 200, and so on before
phase. But then, there was a slump, primar­ aiming for the top 10,” he recalls.
ily because of injuries. “I  travelled  to  quite  a  few  places  after
In an exclusive chat with Sportstar, the having got hooked to badminton seeing my
quiet  and  easy­going  shuttler  shares elder brother play in my hometown, Gun­
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 15
LOCKDOWN DIARIES KIDAMBI SRIKANTH
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One step at a time: tur.  Then,  things  began  looking  dierent plete backing of my parents, elder brother


“Six years before I when  I  nally  settled  down  at  the (K.  Nandagopal)  and  more  importantly
became No. 1 (in Gopichand  Academy  in  Hyderabad,”  he Gopi  Anna  (chief  national  coach,  P.
2018), I remember traces his route to stardom. Gopichand)  and  the  entire  sta  of  the
I was ranked World “The  rst  time  I  got  the  feeling  that  I Academy who went all out to back me,” he
No. 336. Then, the could be there with the best was when I won says.
target was to think the 2012 Maldives Open. It was not a major Does  he  see  videos  of  inspirational
of being in the top title when you look at the BWF events. But, achievers or of his own achievements? “Not
300, then in 250, that  was  one  triumph  which  gave  me  the really. Only if I am playing the same oppon­
then 200, and so condence and self­belief that I could move ent,  I  will  see  those  matches  just  to  get
on before aiming on and on,” says Srikanth. mentally  better  prepared,”  says  the
for top 10,” says How  was  it  possible?  What  were  the shuttler.
Srikanth. AFP major changes that he had to make? During the build­up, Srikanth also had
“The year 2017 was the crucial one. For, two of the most traumatic episodes in his
those 12 months were the best in my career life — falling unconscious in the washroom
when I won four Super Series titles ),” says during a training session at the Gopichand
the  articulate  Srikanth.  He  is  the  only  In­ Academy  and  then  suering  a  career­
dian to do so and join the illustrious band of threatening injury.
shuttlers such as Lin Dan, Chen Long and “Yes,  I  am  unlucky  that  way.  I  got  in­
Lee Chong Wei. jured every time I was on the verge of break­
“Well, there were no specic changes in ing  into  the  next  stage  like  during  the
terms of my game. But yes, training under Nagpur  Nationals  in  2017.  But,  I  always
Mulyo  (Handoyo),  who  made  us  do  a  few tried to be positive,” he says.
things dierently, had a huge impact on my Srikanth makes an interesting observa­
career graph,” he points out. tion,  too  —  when  you  are  playing  at  the
Was  it  a  conscious  eort  to  get  to  the highest level, on a dierent plane compared
top? to the rest, you have to be extremely t to
“Denitely not. I always wanted to get sustain that level of excellence.
better and better. And worked really hard to “But,  these  injury­breaks  were  a  big
achieve that milestone which honestly was curse for me and that really dented my per­
not my target,” he says with a smile. “Well formances  after  being  the  World  No.1,”
every  player  would  go  through  similar says the 27­year­old shuttler.
phases and I am fortunate to have the com­ Srikanth  also  believes  that  having
16 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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Guiding force:
Srikanth with his
coach Pullela
Gopichand in 2017.
“I travelled to quite
a few places after
having got hooked
to badminton
seeing my elder
brother play. Then,
things began
looking dierent
when I nally
settled down at
the Gopichand
Academy in
Hyderabad,” he
traces his route to
stardom.
NAGARA GOPAL

achieved  a  certain  level,  he  may  have and  the  BWF  to  wait  before  straightaway
pushed himself that extra bit to stay there. declaring  the  next  possible  dates  of  the
“I  don’t  believe  it  was  a  poor  selection  of Olympics. There has to be a periodic, crit­
tournaments. It had to do with injuries. ical  review  of  the  situation  before  going
“See the irony now. I am t and raring to ahead with the timeline,” he felt.
go.  But  this  dreaded  Coronavirus  has  put Reecting on his preparations, Srikanth
paid  to  my  dreams  of  participating  in  the admitted it will be a dicult phase in the
Tokyo Olympics,” he says. run­up to the next schedule of the Games.
Srikanth, even while welcoming the de­ “For the last 12 months you have been
cision  to  postpone  the  Tokyo  Olympics, tuning your physical and conditioning pro­
scheduled to be held this July/August this gramme according to the original schedule.
year  to  2021,  owing  to  the  coronavirus Now, you have to re­set the goal and plan
threat, feels that the BWF should think of a these programmes accordingly. It is a huge
timeline for the Games only after it starts task  and  a  dierent  kind  of  challenge  for
all the tournaments which were cancelled any athlete,” the champion shuttler said.
recently. And, he adds that it has been a harrow­
“It  is  a  good  decision  as  it  is  next  to ing experience to be away from the sport.
impossible  to  host  the  Games  given  the During injury­breaks he could at least visit
critical scenario across the world,” Srikanth the stadia and mix with fellow players and
told Sportstar. coaches. That’s not possible now. 
“But,  again,  I  personally  feel  that  the “Right  now,  I  am  in  Guntur  with  my
BWF  should  have  a  serious  mindset,  once family members and friends. But, I am def­
the situation improves and is deemed t for initely  doing  those  minimum  exercises  to
any  sporting  activity,  about  starting  the stay  t  and  appeal  to  all  the  citizens  to
tournaments  which  were  cancelled  in  the adhere to the guidelines of the Government
wake of the Coronavirus threat,” he said. and  stay  indoors  till  the  situation  im­
“I  appeal  to  the  Olympics  organisers proves,” he concludes. •
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 17
LOCKDOWN DIARIES MIRABAI CHANU
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On track:
Mirabai Chanu
improved her
own records in
the snatch,
clean-and-jerk
and total
(203kg) at the
National
Championships
in Kolkata in
February.
RAJEEV BHATT

It’s the same for everyone
“Sometimes it is boring to stay restricted, but no one can help it. After all,
such measures are going to help us fight the coronavirus,” said Mirabai Chanu.

Y. B. SARANGI

F
ormer world champion Mirabai Chanu, tional competitions) — in each of the three
who is adhering to self­isolation owing periods starting from November 1, 2018 to
to  the  global  coronavirus  outbreak,  is April 30, 2020; six overall; and at least one
not  keen  on  facing  the  possibility  of  an­ gold  level  and  one  other  gold­  or  silver­
other situation like this. level event.
But the Manipuri weightlifter is sure of Points  will  be  awarded  for  these  per­
qualifying for her second Olympics. formances and the best results in each of
According to the original IWF qualic­ the three periods will be considered to as­
ation criteria, an athlete has to compete in certain the rankings.
at least one ranking event — such as gold Mirabai  has  accumulated  3,869.8038
level  (world  and  continental  champion­ qualifying  points  from  ve  outings  to  be
ships), silver level (IWF events, including placed  fourth  in  the  women’s  49kg  cat­
multi­discipline  games  and  champion­ egory. The top eight lifters in each weight
ships)  and  bronze  level  (other  interna­ category  will  qualify  for  the  Tokyo
18 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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Olympics, which is now scheduled to be held Mirabai, who uses her cycle to commute Still in waiting:


in  2021  because  of  the  global  coronavirus between her room and training centre of the Jeremy
pandemic  that  has  brought  sports  to  a National Institute of Sports campus in Pa­ Lalrinnunga and
standstill worldwide. tiala, gave an idea about her present train­ Rakhi Halder
Notwithstanding  the  distractions ing schedule. “I am working on tness and (right) are yet to
provided  by  the  pandemic,  Mirabai  is  fo­ endurance. The training is low on intensity. secure quota
cused on her training keeping the Olympics As there is no competition in sight, there is places for the
in mind. After the Asian Championships, an less stress on lifting,” she said. Tokyo Olympics,
Olympic qualifying event, in Tashkent was Mirabai’s determination has doubled in which is now
postponed, she had changed her routine. the last four years following her disappoint­ scheduled to be
“The training now is dierent as there is ing showing at the Rio Olympics. The Indian held in 2021.
no competition right now. We would have registered three ‘no lifts’ in the clean­and­ GETTY IMAGES &
trained  dierently  had  the  competitions jerk  to  return  without  a  rank  from  the RAJEEV BHATT
were on schedule,” said national coach Vi­ Games.
jay Sharma. However, she improved her game to take
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 19
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Keen to do well: the women’s 48kg title at the World Cham­ “My  preparation  has  been  going  on


Mirabai’s pionships  in  Anaheim  in  the  USA  a  year nicely. An athlete keeps on getting roadb­
determination has later.  She  secured  the  Commonwealth locks throughout her career, but one must
doubled in the last Games  gold  medal  in  2018  before  facing overcome these to achieve one’s goal. One
four years another setback.  should stay focused and do one’s job.
following her A  mysterious  lower­back  issue  forced “This (coronavirus pandemic) is an ex­
disappointing her to pull out of the Asian Games that year, traordinary situation which has aected the
showing at the Rio but the gritty lifter fought back to assert her whole world. There is nothing much one can
Olympics. The class  with  a  fourth­place  nish  by  lifting do about it,” said Mirabai.
Indian registered 199kg at the 2019 Asian Championships in The  Manipuri  does  not  mind  following
three ‘no lifts’ in Ningbo City, China. some restrictions in order to stay safe. “It is
the clean-and-jerk Mirabai showed steady improvement as important to stay isolated in order to stay
to return without a she aggregated 201kg to claim fourth posi­ safe  in  such  a  situation.  The  campus  is
rank from the tion  at  the  2019  World  Championships  in locked down for the visitors and we are tak­
Games. REUTERS Pattaya, Thailand. Only four women could ing some precautions and not going out to
breach the 200kg mark in that event. avoid any threat.
The 25­year­old went one step better by “We are not even going out to malls and
improving  her  own  records  in  the  snatch, markets on weekends. Sometimes it is bor­
clean­and­jerk and total (203kg) at the Na­ ing to stay restricted, but no one can help it.
tional Championships in Kolkata in Febru­ After all, such measures are going to help us
ary this year. ght the coronavirus,” said Mirabai.
Her  brilliant  comeback  has  put  her “The  whole  world  is  aected.  It’s  the
Olympic dream back on track. same for everyone (lifter),” said Mirabai. •
20 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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Indian wrestler Ravi Dahiya with his


bronze medal after defeating Iran’s
Reza Ahmadali Atrinagharch at the
World Wrestling Championship in
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, in 2019. “My
performances have boosted my
confidence a lot,” says Dahiya. PTI

Training is paramount 
The fire in his belly does not let Ravi Dahiya sit quietly. As a junior wrestler,
he has seen hard days and is eager to prove himself at the highest level.
Y. B. SARANGI

F
or  Ravi  Dahiya,  whose  life  revolves bronze medallist and the Asian champion in
around  wrestling,  Chhatrasal  Stadium men’s 57kg weight class.
in  Delhi  is  home  away  from  home.  In Despite the postponement of the Tokyo
fact, Dahiya spends most part of the year in Olympics, Dahiya sounded positive.
the  precincts  of  Chhatrasal  and  visits  his “Nobody knows when the Olympics will
home very rarely — perhaps once in a year, take place. It is not in our hands. God knows
during Diwali. when it will happen and how it will happen.
So, when the Government gave a call for But it will happen for sure. I hope everything
self­isolation at home to ght coronavirus, will  be  alright.  I  am  just  concentrating  on
Dahiya  —  who  shifted  from  his  village  in my training.
Sonepat district of Haryana to Chhatrasal at The re in his belly does not let Dahiya
the age of 10 — did not have to think twice. sit quietly. As a junior wrestler, he has seen
“I  thought,  since  there  was  not  much hard days and is eager to prove himself at
time in hand, I should focus on my prepara­ the highest level.
tions.  I  can  go  home  later  on  after  the “In those days there was no sponsor and
Olympics,”  said  the  World  championships I had to fall back on some of my well­wishers
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 21
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Hero  worship: to  recover  from  my  knee  injury.  It  was  a 2019 Pro Wrestling League. He continued to
Dahiya is a big fan struggle. I was frustrated due to the uncer­ raise  his  game  and  emerge  as  the  number
of his mentor and tainty  (related  to  my  recovery).  Good  that one wrestler in the country in the competit­
two-time Olympic the days of struggle are gone now,” an emo­ ive 57kg category.
medallist Sushil tional Dahiya had told this reporter some­ Considering  his  dedication  and  im­
Kumar. PTI time back. provement, it was only natural that he im­
Dahiya, who secured a World under­23 pressed one and all with his bronze medal
silver medal in 2018, hogged the limelight winning performance in the World champi­
with  a  series  of  sterling  performances  for onships  in  Nur­Sultan,  where  he  also  se­
champion  side  Haryana  Hammers  in  the cured an Olympic quota place, in September
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last year. Dahiya,  like  Sushil,  loves  to  learn  by Best friend forever:


Dahiya, who had lost in a bronze medal watching others in action. “I am watching Dahiya is missing
match in the Asian championships in Xi’an the videos of my opponents to learn a few his room partner
in 2019, made amends to take the title in the things and know about their weaknesses.” Deepak Punia, who
continental event in Delhi in February last. Dahiya,  however,  is  missing  his  room had bagged the
“After the World championships bronze partner Deepak Punia, who had bagged the silver medal in the
medal,  I  emerged  as  the  champion  in  the silver  medal  in  86kg  category  alongside World
Asian  championships.  My  performances Dahiya  in  the  World  championships  apart championships
have  boosted  my  condence  a  lot,”  said from securing an Olympics berth. “Deepak apart from getting
Dahiya, looking back at his short journey. had gone to meet his family for some work. an Olympics berth.
A  big  fan  of  his  mentor  and  two­time He has not been able to return.” “Deepak had gone
Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, Dahiya — Nevertheless, Dahiya has been behaving to meet his family
who  is  considered  a  top  contender  for  a responsibly in the time of crisis. “One has to for some work. He
medal from the wrestling mats of the Tokyo adjust a little bit in such a situation. We are has not been able
Games — is not resting on past laurels. His taking  all  sorts  of  precaution.  We  are  not to return.” PTI
next  goal  is  an  Olympics  medal  and  he  is going out, not meeting outsiders, washing
leaving no stone unturned to achieve this. hands and maintaining good hygiene.”
“There is not a particular area on which I For younger wrestlers looking up to him,
have to work on. I need to improve in dier­ Dahiya has some advices to ght the deadly
ent  areas,  such  as  leg  defence  and virus which is wreaking havoc worldwide.
counterattack.” “The  Government  is  doing  so  much  to
For  this,  training  is  paramount  for stop  this  virus  from  spreading.  Our  Prime
Dahiya. Even the coronavirus threat cannot Minister  Narendra  Modiji  has  sent  out  a
deter him. message for every countryman about what
“There  are  issues,  but  those  have  not one should do and what one should not do in
aected my training. Sparring is going on. the ght against corona. 
Three­four wrestlers are there in the Chhat­ “We should follow these advices without
rasal Stadium, we are doing our daily train­ panicking about the virus. No need to fear. If
ing. There are wrestlers of dierent weights, we  remain  careful,  then  we  will  win  this
I am sparring with them. So, my training is ght  against  corona,”  said  Dahiya,  with  a
not aected.” sense of responsibility. •
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 23
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Inspiring the lot:
Posting inspiring
one-liners, sharing
his younger child’s
video, sharing
pictures of his
teenage years —
boxer Vijender
Singh is doing
everything to keep
himself occupied.
He hopes that his
fans take cues
from this to stay
busy in the time of
isolation.
SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

Looking at the positives 
Boxer Vijender Singh has been enjoying time with his family. Besides, he
has been taking to the social media to underline the importance of
breaking the social chain in the fight against coronavirus.
Y. B. SARANGI

‘Bahaduri  ghar  pe  rahne  mein  hain  (One 2015, last fought against Charles Adamu of


needs courage to stay at home),” reads one Ghana in Dubai in November last year.
of  Vijender  Singh’s  Twitter  posts,  tagged With  a  cloud  of  uncertainty  over  his
with one of his photos. next ght, which was supposed to happen

A
former World and Olympic medal win­ sometime in May, the super middleweight
ning  boxer,  Vijender,  who  has  re­ professional boxer is looking at the posit­
mained unbeaten in his 12 ghts since ives  of  the  forced  break  due  to  the
he began his professional career in October coronavirus outbreak.
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A  stylish  boxer  and  a  youth  icon, yourself engaged? What next?


Vijender  —  who  got  into  politics  by  con­ It’s  a  good  opportunity  to  stay  with  your Vijender (left)
testing in the last Lok Sabha elections with a family,  spend  some  valuable  time  with throws a punch at
Congress ticket from Delhi — understands people who are so close to you.  WBO Oriental
the importance of having patience and stay­ It’s  very  relaxing  to  be  with  family Super
ing  indoors  in  this  extraordinary  global without anything to do. I am enjoying stay­ Middleweight
crisis.  He  himself  follows  this  golden  rule ing at home. champion Zulpikar
and inspires others to do the same. Maimaitiali during
Vijender has been enjoying time with his What about your next ght? Has it got their double title
family.  Besides,  he  has  been  taking  to  the aected by the coronavirus threat? bout at the
social media to underline the importance of My next ght was scheduled to be held in National Sports
breaking the social chain in the ght against May  (in  America).  The  details  were  not Complex of India
coronavirus.  known.  Now  there  is  a  lot  of  uncertainty (NSCI) Dome in
Posting inspiring one­liners, sharing his over it because of the prevailing situation. Mumbai on August
younger  child’s  video,  sharing  pictures  of Even though I am not sure when exactly it 5, 2017. With a
his  teenage  years  —  Vijender  is  doing will  happen,  I  think  it  should  take  place cloud of
everything  to  keep  himself  occupied.  He sometime  in  July.  Right  now,  there  is  no uncertainty over
hopes  that  his  fans  take  cues  from  this  to clarity. his next fight,
stay busy in the time of isolation. which had to
Vijender took some time out to speak to Since you are restricted to your home, happen sometime
Sportstar and  share  his  future  plans,  his how are you training? in May, the super
ideas  about  ghting  the  deadly  virus  and It’s not possible to do full­edged training. middleweight
the  Indian  boxers’  preparations  for  the But I am doing my conditioning. I am doing professional boxer
Olympics.  punch­ups,  chin­ups  and  other  such  exer­ is looking at the
cises which I can do at home to keep myself positives of the
At this time of crisis, when you cannot t.  forced break. AFP
step out of home, how are you keeping When  things  become  normal,  I  will  go
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 25
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Piece  of  advice: back to the gym and increase the intensity of follow the Government orders and stay in­


Vijender Singh at my training in the run­up to my next ght. doors. We should wash our hands and main­
his home in tain  personal  hygiene.  There  is  a  lot  of
Manchester. “Stay At a time when the whole world is rumour going around in various social me­
indoors. Avoid facing a pandemic and there seems to dia platforms. We should avoid those to not
going to public be no end to it in the next few weeks, let unnecessary fear bog us down. The most
places unless it is what is your message to your fans and important  thing  is  not  to  get  sick  and  we
absolutely followers? should behave sensibly to achieve that.
necessary,” says Stay  indoors.  Avoid  going  to  public  places
the boxer. unless it is absolutely necessary. Just avoid Do you think the postponement of the
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT any place where there can be more people. Olympics will aect the Indian boxers? 
The  biggest  positive  for  us  in  this  crisis  is It  should  not  aect  our  boxers’  prepara­
that it has given all of us an opportunity to tions.  It  is  good  that  nine  of  them  have
spend time with our families.  already booked Olympic quota places. 
In today’s world, people stay busy with
their respective jobs and hardly nd time to What about the uncertainty? It is likely
spend  with  their  close  ones.  We  should aect to the morale of the boxers…
make the most of it and make the situation They should continue with their usual train­
lighter  with  the  support  of  our  family ing. They are already in training and should
members. remain  focused  on  it.  They  should  not
We will face a lot of problems if we don’t bother about other things. •
26 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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Not tied down: Tajinder Pal Singh


Toor in action in the men’s shot put at
the World Athletics Championships in
Doha, Qatar, in October 2019. AP

Shot­put short­circuited! 
UTHRA GANESAN

S
ince  the  government­mandated  lock­ been told that all competitions have been This
down  of  sports  centres  owing  to  the pushed back to at least after May 15 for
Coronavirus  threat,  national  campers now.
lockdown is
across sports have been in a state of flux. At It’s not like we feel tied down; we are for our good
the NIS, Patiala, while those inside insist used to being in camps for long periods and only, if there
their lives haven’t really changed in terms our schedule doesn’t allow much social-
of daily schedules, the uncertainty is defin- ising anyway. But this lockdown is for our is any
itely a concern. good only, if there is any infection inside it infection
Shot-putter Tajinder Pal Singh Toor is would be more dangerous. I think this is inside it
among those who admit the clampdown one of the very few centres in operation
was necessary. even in lockdown, otherwise across the would be
world most training centres have been more
What is the situation right now at the shut. Those athletes cannot even train
NIS? anywhere.
dangerous,
Since the national camp and the NIS cam- says star
pus have been sealed right now, we cannot Can you explain how things panned out shot-putter
move anywhere. There is a total lockdown since the virus news rst broke?
of the premises, all competitions have been Honestly speaking, it didn’t look like it
Tajinder Pal
cancelled. I am talking to you after my would become so serious so quickly. Yes Singh.
training session; I was supposed to be there were concerns when it first broke but
throwing at the Indian GP. But we have till it reached India, there was no idea it
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 27
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Asia’s best: (from would be such a situation. But now like we ted. Log holiday feeling le rahe hain!


left) silver are seeing and the way it spread so fast in a
medallist Wu country like Italy with a low population and Is it easier for someone like you, who
Jiaxiang of China, better medical facilities — hamari to popu­ spends a large part of the year in camps
India’s Tajinder Pal lation hi bahut zyada hai in comparison (our and competitions, to adjust to this
Singh Toor, the population is so much more). situation?
champion, and Other training venues and grounds are Yes and no. See we do not really feel much
third placed Ivan also shut, at least in Punjab I know, and dierence because we do not have the kind
Ivanov of athletes are struggling to do something of daily home­oce­home routine like most
Kazakhstan at the with their time. people. Our lives, in any case, mainly revolve
medal ceremony of Now there is a nationwide curfew, all around  our  room,  ground,  gym,  mess
the Asian Athletics grocery stores are seeing a rush with people through the week.
Championships in stocking up on daily essentials. This is a But  the  absence  of  competitions  and
Doha, in 2019. AP problem. clarity  does  aect  one.  The  Indoor  Asian
All this is happening for the past 8-10 Championships in China was cancelled. We
days, it was controlled before that. People were told about the GP being cancelled only
need to become more aware both in terms at a very short notice. I am fit now, I was all
of their behaviour and precautions. All set for trials, threw 20.43m and feeling good
schools, colleges, oces are shut down to for more, we are all training hard but we
prevent the spread of infection but people don’t know for what. It is very disappointing
are  seeing  this  as  vacation  time,  visiting and disturbing. I am not sure what will
relatives and friends!  happen.
They should stay home and stay protec­ It is not easy to maintain peak form and
28 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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tness for a long period of time, but we are and I think I will also download PUBG now Honoured: Union


looking at tweaking the training schedules and start playing that like everyone else! (He Minister for Youth
and  repetitions  as  per  the  coach’s  advice. is also very active on TikTok and Instagram). Aairs and Sports,
Mentally also it is not easy to stay focussed It does get a bit frustrating but as I said, it’s Kiran Rijiju,
for so long if everything is delayed. for a few days and it is only for our own good, presenting the
we should manage it willingly. Arjuna Award to
How is your family handling it? Tajinder Pal Singh
As of now they are ne. I speak to them daily What if you had to be isolated? Who Toor in New Delhi
and had told them to stock up the required would you want that to be with? in November 2019.
daily  needs  because  you  don’t  know  how (Discus thrower) Gagandeep Singh. You put SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
long  the  lockdown  might  continue.  So us together in a room for 2­3 weeks and we
things  are  under  control  and  the  family  is won’t be bored, between us we will manage
ne. Of course, there are small problems in full time­pass!
terms of movement — I have told them to try
and avoid meeting too many people for some Your message to your family, friends,
time, you don’t know who is infected. Stay fans?
home as much as possible. The most important thing is life. Jeevan hoga
tabhi  sports  hoga so  the  most  important
What do you do in your spare time now thing is to save yourself rst. To do that, I
that you can’t go out anywhere? would only tell them to stay safe, meet as few
Through  the  week  there  isn’t  much  time people  as  possible,  stay  home,  wash  your
anyway between training and rest. It’s a set hands regularly. 
routine.  Sundays,  as  rest  days,  used  to  be Try not to touch anything unnecessarily
boring, yes, but we could go out and spend and if you do, make sure you clean up imme­
time  earlier.  Now  it  will  get  double  boring diately. Take all precautions, it is never too
inside!  I  spend  some  time  on  social  media much. Stay healthy, stay safe. •
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 29
LOCKDOWN DIARIES CHETESHWAR PUJARA
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Doting husband:
“I’m also helping
my wife Puja with
the daily chores,”
says Pujara, seen
cleaning the floor
at his house.
TWITTER@CHESTESHWAR1

Family man:  Pujara enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter as he stays indoors in support of the
government’s lockdown call. TWITTER@CHETESHWAR1

The fight can be won by staying indoors


AYAN ACHARYA

E
Pujara, part ven as the Novel Coronavirus continues routine  at  home  with  his  young  daughter.
to cripple major sporting events across “It’s a welcome change for me,” he said. “I
of the the world, with the global number of like  spending  time  with  myself,  reading  a
Saurashtra conrmed cases increasing by the day, India book or watching TV is something I would sanitisers.  Pujara,  however,  cautioned alty  in  times  of  distress,  Pujara  reminded
side that No. 3 Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has do when I’m alone. That said, I’ve a young against hoarding. why a discipline, which often oers escap­
called on fans to rally round each other. daughter who is so energetic and wants to “We  don’t  believe  in  stocking  up  be­ ism in the face of adversity, needs to take a
beat Bengal “These are tough times not just for our play all the time, so half my day goes into cause  then  you  are  causing  unnecessary backseat for now. 
in the Ranji nation but the entire world. The only way we taking care of her. I’m also helping my wife trouble  to  those  who  desperately  require “I feel sport really has the power to bring
can  ght  this  pandemic  is  by  staying  in­ Puja with the daily chores.” those items,” he said. “Only buy what you people together but now is not the time for
Trophy final, doors,” Pujara told Sportstar. The  31­year­old,  who  suered  from need. The government will ensure that pro­ fans to throng stadiums in support of their
is using the “It can be frustrating at times. There will back spasms during the Ranji nal, has re­ duction of essentials is not impacted in the teams and players,” he said. 
downtime to be days when you’ll have to resist the urge to covered and started training again. “I’ve a wake  of  the  pandemic.  I’ve  heard  that  in “Yes, you still need to stick together but
go  out  for  a  casual  stroll,  but  we  have  a gym at home where I do all my workouts, so I some places they’ve even started home de­ with  your  family  in  your  own  homes.  In  a
enjoy a responsibility to look after our country and haven’t had to venture out to train either,” livery of day­to­day necessities like packets crisis such as this, I feel the biggest ght is
relaxed family and the best way to do it is by remain­ he said. of  rice,  vegetables,  fruits  and  grains.  So going  to  be  the  ght  to  be  indoors.  For  a
routine at ing in self­isolation at home,” he added. The  anticipation  of  periods  of  home there is no need to panic; it’s time for the sportsman, the ght is out on the eld, for a
Pujara, part of the Saurashtra side that connement has led to panicked shoppers selshness  to  end.  We  need  to  look  after soldier, it’s the warfront but this particular
home. beat  Bengal  in  the  Ranji  Trophy  nal,  is stripping  many  grocery  stores  of  staples each other.” battle  can  only  be  won  by  staying
using  the  downtime  to  enjoy  a  relaxed ranging  from  bread  and  milk  to  meat  and Although sport itself has become a casu­ indoors.” •
30 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 31
LOCKDOWN DIARIES ROHAN BOPANNA
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gether with his wife Supriya and 10­month­old daughter

I’m seeing Tridha.
“We closed the academy in Bengaluru and sent the
players home till the end of March or till we figure out the
situation,” he said. It is a pleasant experience for

my daughter Bopanna to see his daughter grow on a daily basis, rather


than being content watching her on Skype or FaceTime.
“On the positive side, I see my daughter grow. I see

grow on a her every day. I am so happy to be with her. She is


crawling. She is starting to stand up. Being with her is
very special,” Bopanna said.

daily basis The 40-year-old, who has a mixed Grand Slam title to


his credit, is quite mature to look at the crisis scenario
with equanimity.
“The ATP events are closed till June 7. It is extremely
It is happy family time for dicult  for  everybody.  They  have  frozen  the  rankings.
tennis star Rohan Bopanna, There is no solution in sight. Eventually, a lot of players
may lose points. I can’t be in their shoes. Everyone can’t
as his parents, sister, be happy at the same time. Well, it is not easy to be an
brother-in-law and niece athlete at this time,” he observed. There is no question of
are there together with his tennis training for Bopanna.
“It is tough to train, not knowing when it is going to
wife Supriya and 10-month- start.  When  you  are  in  the  o­season,  or  coming  back
old daughter Tridha. from injury, you know how long you are going to train. I
don’t  see  any  reason  hitting  a  tennis  ball  today.  (But)
There is no purpose to train (right now). That is the tough
part,” he said. Family time: Bopanna with his wife Supriya. PTI
Bopanna is happy that he is not just a tennis player,
but  also  has  a  tennis  academy  apart  from  his  coee need to be there, hang out together, to fight through the
Back at home: The 40-year-old Rohan Bopanna, who has a mixed Grand Slam title to his credit, is quite business. For many, tennis is everything. They lose their match. The loss in the first singles match was hard for
mature to look at the crisis scenario with equanimity. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT earnings when there is a shutdown. us,” Bopanna said.
“Not  earning  money  is  the  tough  part.  We  have  to “Prajnesh will beat Gojo in any Challenger or Tour
KAMESH SRINIVASAN understand.  I  can’t  do  much  about  it.  I  can’t  control event when he plays him next time. There is a big dier­
things. We are used to a certain life, staying outdoors, ence playing the Tour and playing the Davis Cup for the

T
hese are dicult times, but Rohan Bopanna has no We managed to change our ticket to India, for the even- constantly being out, travelling. The challenge is to stay entire country. If we have to make the World Group, we
complaints.  He  is  at  his  coee  estate  in  Coorg, ing. We spent time at the airport, using the swimming positive and find ways to keep well. Years of experience have to win the singles matches. I talked to the team after
huddled with family. pool and the gym, on a pay-and-use basis. We spent has taught me that it is not only the athlete who is facing the tie in the locker room. (Marin) Cilic under pressure of
“We are tackling things on a day­to­day basis. It is nearly 18 hours at the airport. My wife and daughter were the situation; it is for everyone,” he said. being 0­1 and Ramkumar (Ramanathan) playing the best
not easy to ask the plantation workers to stop. We take supposed to join me in Doha for the US trip. But we had Such an appreciative outlook on the positives of life match I had ever seen would have given such a dierent
precautions. One day we had only the men working. We cancelled the plan because the coronavirus situation had in a dicult situation may not be easy for young athletes tone to the tie. 
make sure that they don’t stand close to each other. We started getting serious. We didn’t want to expose the who may be “focused so much on building a career,” he “We have to look at Leander Paes, how he breathes
are  creating  awareness.  They  wash  their  hands  before kid,” recalled Bopanna, who was obviously thrilled to said. But Bopanna is amazed and amused by the number fire when he plays the Davis Cup. I have been playing the
they go home. It is a challenge for everybody. No matter spend time with his family in the serene atmosphere of of  solutions  oered  to  counter  the  coronavirus Davis Cup for 18 years. Playing for the country is so
who you are, it is not easy,” said the former world No. 3 Coorg. pandemic. dierent. Sumit (Nagal) could have played better against
doubles tennis player. It was a 16-hour flight to the US that he skipped, and “On  social  media,  everyone  is  a  doctor!  It  is  very Cilic.  Prajnesh  could  have  fought  even  better  when  he
Bopanna, who had helped India win the doubles rub­ he felt that had he boarded, he may have been tempted to dicult to decide what to believe and what not to believe. was 2­4 down in the third set. We are there, (but) still we
ber with Leander Paes against Croatia in Zagreb in losing stay back in the US, looking for other events. It was a I tell my dad, ‘Don’t believe every forwarded message,’” are not there,” Bopanna pointed out.
cause in the Davis Cup in March, feels that he was lucky blessing in disguise as the situation forced Bopanna to he said. The last time India figured in the Davis Cup World
to be in Coorg instead of the US. eventually have a good time with his family. Understandably proud to have fought hard and won Group was when Somdev Devvarman and Bopanna
“During the Davis Cup, everything was fine. After the “Even in normal days, there are very few people here the doubles rubber with Paes “playing his last Davis Cup “played unbelievable” to win the reverse singles against
tie I was in Doha, waiting overnight for the flight to Los in Coorg. It is so peaceful to be with nature. So dierent tie,” Bopanna said India had to win the first singles Brazil in Chennai in 2010 after the team was 0-2 down on
Angeles. Sumit Nagal and Prajnesh Gunneswaran trav- from staying in apartments. We have lots of option for rubber against Borna Gojo to stand a chance of winning the opening day.
elled through Europe to the US. Since doubles was Friday, walking,  jogging.  There  is  one  shop  where  we  get  our the tie. Bopanna had played two singles then, while Leander
I had booked through Doha. I had the option of a hotel in stu.  It  opens  from  12  noon  to  2pm.  Only  one  person “In doubles, we missed match points in the second Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi had anchored the revival with
Doha, but stayed at the airport. Physio Gaurang Shukla goes,  as  it  is  easy  for  the  shop  to  keep  a  record,”  said set. We came back from being a break down in the third to the doubles win.
had also joined me to be on the same flight. About an Bopanna. win. After being down 0-2 in the tie, it was special. The For the moment, Bopanna is happy to push tennis
hour and a half before the morning flight, we got the It  is  happy  family  time  for  the  tennis  star,  as  his quality of the match was very good. What made the aside and focus on the simple things of life and play with
news that Indian Wells tournament had been cancelled. parents,  sister,  brother­in­law  and  niece  are  there  to­ dierence was that we had trained the whole week. You his daughter. •
32 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 33
LOCKDOWN DIARIES APURVI CHANDELA
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Stay safe: Grasping
the gravity of the
situation, Apurvi
Chandela and
family are quite
practical, back
home, in Jaipur.
KAMESH SRINIVASAN

Rifle shots from Jaipur


Apurvi Chandela is proud to utilise the free time, brought about by the
coronavirus, constructively, and faithfully follows the call of the nation to
stay at home.
KAMESH SRINIVASAN

A
round this time last year, Apurvi Chan- Apurvi is quite serene at home in Jaipur,
dela was busy competing in World when the world grapples with the
Cups. After a phenomenal season, coronavirus.
when she won two individual gold medals in “I drove back to Jaipur, with my brother,
women’s air rifle, an accomplishment in the to avoid taking any flights. Since Jaipur is
event after Anjali Bhagwat’s gold in a World only four hours away from Delhi, it wasn’t
Cup, way back in 2003, the 27-year-old that dicult,” recalled Apurvi.
34 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
BLAST FROM THE PAST
INDIA'S 2011 WORLD CUP TRIUMPH 5
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3
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The leading Indian shooters were having camp and the trials. My mother didn’t ac­ Making  up  the
an Olympic selection trials after the post- company  me  this  time.  I  would  wash  my mind: “I plan on
ponement of the World Cup, in Delhi. hands every few minutes or sanitise them. I training well and
Apurvi was occupied with the training stayed at home post shooting to avoid com­ continue doing the
camp, followed by the trials, when the ing into contact with anyone,” said Apurvi. exercises. It is
coronavirus crisis was gathering Grasping  the  gravity  of  the  situation, important to keep
momentum. Apurvi and family are quite practical, back ourselves occupied
“We were all faced with the uncertain home, in Jaipur. with some work, so
situation during the training camp, as the “My  whole  day  is  absolutely  packed.  I that we remain
rst few cases of coronavirus in the country have a shooting range at home. So, I wake up healthy, not only
were  detected.  We  were  preparing  for  the early and shoot. We have asked all the house physically but
World  Cup  in  Delhi.  The  decision  to  post­ help to say at their homes for their and our mentally as well,”
pone the World Cup was necessary for the safety. I help my parents with all the house­ says Apurvi. AP
safety of all the shooters, whether in India hold  work.  We  have  divided  the  duties
or from foreign countries, who would have between  my  father,  mother  and  me.  My
had to travel in the given circumstances. It mom takes care of the cooking. I do all the
was also good that the national federation cleaning of the house. My father helps my
took  the  decision  of  holding  the  trials  in­ mother  in  the  kitchen.  He  also  looks  after
stead  of  the  World  Cup,  as  it  was  the  last our  dogs  in  terms  of  feeding  them  and
match  to  be  considered  for  the  Olympic bathing  them.  In  the  afternoon,  I  spend
Games  selection,”  said  Apurvi,  as  she time reading. During the evening, I do my
summed up the scenario, in a dispassionate exercises and yoga,” said Apurvi, quite non­
way. The shooters were cautious, and so was chalant  about  having  to  execute  mundane
Apurvi. work on a regular basis.
“I stayed at my uncle’s place, during the In  fact,  Apurvi  is  proud  to  utilise  the
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 43
LOCKDOWN DIARIES APURVI CHANDELA
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Top guns: Apurvi, time constructively, and faithfully follows have such fast paced lives that now we have
who won the gold the call of the nation to stay at home. time to reflect upon where we are headed! I
medal (centre) in “I think it is a great initiative by our will be using this time to work on myself,
the women’s 10m honourable Prime Minister. At this time, it and also spend quality time with my fam-
air rie event, with is absolutely necessary for each and every ily,” she said.
Chinese Zhao one of us to stay at home and stay safe. On The precautions are well maintained.
Ruozhu (left, March 22 at 5 p.m., I went on the terrace “I am staying at home and not going out
silver) and Xu with my parents. It was a feeling of pride to anywhere. I am washing my hands regu-
Hong, the bronze see the unity of the whole country. We larly, taking care of myself and staying fit,”
medal winner, in needed to thank the medical fraternity who Apurvi stressed.
the shooting World have been working tirelessly for our safety The magnitude of the situation is not
Cup at the Dr. and well being,” she said. lost on Apurvi.
Karni Singh Range, The Olympics has been postponed to “Looking at the current situation, since
Tughlakabad in next year. That may be a disappointment for we are all under lockdown, I am sure there
New Dellhi in the athletes who were keyed to peak for are athletes whose training must be getting
February  2019. competition in Tokyo. But, Apurvi views the hampered, especially those who are in out-
KAMESH SRINIVASAN big picture with equanimity and under- door sports. And the situation around the
stands the need of the hour. world, particularly in Europe and America,
“I plan on training well and continue that are seeing a rise in the number of
doing the exercises. It is important to keep people being infected, I sincerely hope it
ourselves occupied with some work, so that settles down as soon as possible. We need to
we remain healthy, not only physically but prepare for any kind of scenario and be
mentally as well. It is good to see that the ready to accept any situation we are faced
earth has also got some time to heal. We all with,” Apurvi signed o. •
44 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
LOCKDOWN DIARIES SHARATH KAMAL
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Helpless:  “When
you are at home
24x7 in urban
India, training goes
for a toss,” says
Sharath Kamal.
K. PICHUMANI

It seems as if life has come to a standstill 
“The good thing is you are with your family all the time but on the ip side you
just cannot do anything that either you or the kids want. These are dicult
times,” says the paddler. 

AMOL KARHADKAR

Y
ou are 38, hoping to have one last shot have  been  an  Olympics  qualier  event  in
at  glory  by  rst  qualifying  for  what April. Until, of course, the time stood still,
would  be  your  fourth  Olympics  and with the COVID­19 pandemic pushing most
then  hoping  for  pulling  o  a  miracle  in of the world — and all of India — indoors.
Tokyo. You are getting into the groove, hav­ The veteran paddler spells out the di­
ing  put  aside  the  disappointment  of  not culties  in  dealing  with  the  unanticipated
qualifying for the rst team championship challenge the epidemic has thrown, on and
in Olympics, and having won your rst ITTF o the table.
Pro Tour title in 10 years in Oman a week
earlier. How are you, macha?
A.  Sharath  Kamal  couldn’t  have  asked I am just putting on weight. Can’t do much.
for  a  better  build­up  ahead  of  what  would The  kids  are  driving  us  crazy.  And  there’s
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 45
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For  the  rst  couple  of  days,  since  you  are


excited, you do some videos about keeping
yourself t but that’s more of a gig for the
Instagram  feed  than  actual  training.  It
doesn’t serve any other purpose. On top of
it,  the  morale  is  down.  You  can’t  go  any­
where,  can’t  do  anything  that  you  want,
you’ve been reading or watching only about
one thing, so you don’t feel like doing any­
thing.  When  I  was  injured,  I,  at  least,  had
something to look forward to. Now I don’t
know how long this will last.

Can you plan anything now that the
Olympics has been postponed?
Olympics  was  bound  to  be  postponed  be­
cause  the  Olympic  movement  just  cannot
observe social distancing. One of the hall­
marks of Olympics is tens of thousands of
athletes across the world eat together and
mingle with each other. Now that main ob­
jective for the year has been deferred, which
is  good  in  the  given  circumstances.  But
there’s  nothing  in  sight  right  now  to  set
your  eyes  on.  Earlier  they  had  suspended
Home, sweet home: uncertainty about the outside world. What are with them all the time but on the ip side the ITTF circuit till April end but now they
Sharath Kamal else can happen these days, you tell me you just cannot do anything that either you have  announced  that  the  China  Open  and
with his daughter (laughs). or the kids want. These are dicult times. the Hong Kong Open — the two big events
and son. “There’s scheduled in May — have been cancelled, so light sport or take the kids out for a swim but In the limelight:
so much How much did the COVID­19 threat Does anything come close to this that’s also gone. It was expected, but now all that’s just impossible for the time being. Sharath Kamal
uncertainty and we linger over the Oman Open, experience? that it’s formal and there’s no need for an receives the
just don’t know incidentally the last big event in ITTF Nothing,  yaar.  Don’t  think  anyone  of  us Olympics  qualier  event  which  may  have What have you been doing for the last Padma Shri Award
when normalcy that also turned out to be your rst would have even thought about what’s hap­ been slotted end of May, I doubt if we’ll play couple of weeks? from President
would be restored. international title after a decade? pening right now. Yes, I was immobile for a tournament until August. UTT (Ultimate Absolutely nothing. Just eating. Putting on Ram Nath Kovind
Till then, it’s just It was a huge factor right through the week. almost  six  months  following  my  (ham­ Table Tennis, franchise­based league in In­ weight. You know I have a tendency to put at the Rashtrapati
about spending All of us players were skeptical about the string) injury and the rehab (2015) but that dia  which  was  earlier  scheduled  to  start on weight. For the time being, I have given Bhawan, in New
time with the disease being transmitted but somehow we was  dierent.  Despite  being  unable  to  do right after the Olympics in August) was sup­ myself the next two weeks to do what I want Delhi in 2019. “It’s
family and saw through the week unscathed. My family anything back then, I had something to look posed to be the last tournament of a hectic and then gure out the next course of ac­ very dicult
enjoying it as much was dead against me travelling to Oman for forward to. I had a goal to get back on my season, and now it could well begin the next tion.  Probably,  the  world  would  have  also especially to keep
as you can.” the tournament. They said there’s no need feet  and  go  through  the  daily  chores,  and cycle. gured a way out by then. yourself motivated,
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT to take such a big risk. It took me real long to eventually  get  back  on  to  the  table.  Right in the present
convince them that I have been training so now, it seems as if life has come to a stand­ So how are you coping with this You haven’t had a hit on the table since circumstances,”
hard for this one — and more importantly still.  There’s  so  much  uncertainty  and  we situation? your return from Oman? says Sharath
for the Olympics qualiers which were then just  don’t  know  when  normalcy  would  be It’s  very  dicult  yaar,  especially  to  keep No. I don’t have a table at home. My parents’ Kamal of the
scheduled  early  April  —  I  had  to  request restored. Till then, it’s just about spending yourself  motivated.  To  begin  with,  I  don’t home (where his younger brother Rajat also lockdown due to
them to let me go. Luckily I won the title. time with the family and enjoying it as much know when am I going to play a tournament resides)  has  a  table,  so  only  today  did  I the coronavirus
Had I not, I am not sure if they would have as you can. next.  So,  to  keep  myself  motivated  is  the jokingly  tell  my  daughter  ‘let  me  go  over pandemic.
opened the door for me on my return. hardest part.  there and have a hit’ and she said: “no way, SANDEEP SAXENA 

So what can you do as an athlete in I also personally don’t know how to go what will we do here then!”


It seems you have more than done your such a situation? about it. I’ve been thinking about it and at
bit now. I am sure you had promised What  can  we  do!  That’s  what.  SAI  (Sports times I feel it’s best to stop thinking about How are the kids responding?
the kids to not go anywhere for two Authority of India) asked me how could they it, enjoy the break, spend time with the kids They are ne. My daughter know the risks
weeks after returning from Oman… help me in some way. They have been reach­ and  wait  for  normalcy  to  return.  But  even and  she  understands  the  importance  of
Hahaha,  indeed.  All  of  them  were  happy ing out to all the top athletes. I told them then,  it’s  not  really  a  holiday.  At  times, staying indoors. Tejas (two and a half years
with  it  initially  but  I  don’t  know  if  three there’s absolutely nothing that you can help when  you’re  on  a  break,  you  want  to  do old)  is  too  young  to  understand  it,  so  he
weeks down the line, they will ask me “kab us with. There’s no chance of we being able certain  things  or  the  kids  want  you  to  do wants to step out all the time. It’s a little bit
jaa  rahe  ho (when  are  you  leaving)”.  It’s to  train  right  now.  When  you  are  at  home something they like.  hard but we have to manage it, just like the
pretty hard, yaar. Yes, the good thing is you 24x7 in urban India, training goes for a toss. During  my  break,  I  would  like  to  do  a rest of the world. •
46 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 47
LOCKDOWN DIARIES LEANDER PAES
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Saying goodbye:
Leander Paes was
honoured at the
Tata Open
Maharashtra in
Pune in February.
The tennis legend
has announced this
will be his farwell
year in the sport.
R. RAGU

It is important for us to innovate
“It’s also very important to watch one’s diet. Because when idleness comes
around, the natural human instinct is to eat a lot,” says tennis ace Leander Paes.
SHAYAN ACHARYA

F
or the last three decades, Leander Paes “It’s an interesting time,” Paes said with
has been following a strict routine — a smile, as he spoke about life in the times of
start the day early, hit the gym, train the coronavirus.
hard and get ready for a game. That’s how
life has been for the Indian tennis ace. At a time when stepping out of home is
For Paes, travelling 35-40 weeks a year is not an option, how are you keeping
also part of the game. yourself engaged?
But as the world has come to a standstill It’s  an  interesting  time  because  we  all  are
because of the coronavirus pandemic, Paes trying  to  be  innovative  in  occupying  our
is  spending  his  time  dierently.  At  his time. For me, work involves 35­40 weeks of
Mumbai residence, the 46­year­old is busy travelling.  So,  this  has  given  me  a  great
training  his  daughter  Aiyana  and  sharing opportunity  to  spend  time  with  my  loved
some good times with his parents. ones — my parents, my daughter. This is the
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time to have meals with them, interact with


them and also show Aiyana how to do home
training. To basically create a home training
system. It also gives me a chance to catch up
on all my business and other work, and also
communicate — via video-conferencing —
with my team around the world.

What’s the training regime that you are
following these days?
That’s the hardest bit. My whole job has
come to a standstill. A lot of people like me
are not being able to focus on their profes-
sion and, hence, are losing earnings, train-
ing... In these times, one needs to be
innovative in terms of training and be very
patient. As far as training goes, I am doing a
lot of home training, keeping up with my
cardio work on my static cycle at home. I
have one of those racing bikes which is put
on a stand. I use that. I am doing back exer-
cises, slow routines. I use rubber bands as
weight, so I use innovative methods in the
house.
I'm very lucky to have vast experience
over the years of travelling to dierent ho­
tels  and  travelling  to  dierent  cities  and
dierent  countries  every  single  week,  so  I
have  had  to  adapt  accordingly.  So,  this  is
just  one  such  way  of  testing  how  one  can
adapt to another new situation.

You were travelling when the pandemic
broke out. How challenging was it to
return home and ensure that the
training process wasn’t aected?
Since the beginning of the year, as the Aus­
tralian Open and the Davis Cup finished,
everything has come to a standstill. Indian
Wells (BNP Paribas Open) has come to a
standstill. That tournament has lost a hun-
dred million-plus dollars in revenue. Miami
(Open) has come to a standstill likewise.
Now, the French Open is postponed. The
whole clay court season is lost, so Monte
With loved ones:
Carlo, Rome, Madrid are cancelled. We have the best way to stay healthy and to stay safe
Paes with his
to find a way to just be patient, and the call is to stay at home.
daughter Aiyana.
of the day now is to do the best by our
“This is the time
community by staying at home. Especially This is your farewell year in
to have meals
in India, it is very, very important that we do professional tennis. So, how much has
with them (his
not let this pandemic grow fast. Because of this pandemic aected your training
family), interact
our population, already the medical fratern- schedule and plans?
with them and
ity is getting stretched in not just contain- This was a farewell year for me. There’s a lot
also show Aiyana
ing the virus, but also in testing. of re-evaluation to be done. So, my team is
how to do home
You test someone today and two days also on that. My father is very happy be-
training,” he said.
later you have to retest them. So, how is it cause he felt in the beginning that I should
PTI
possible to sustain medically? It is our im- not be retiring this year. So he’s really happy
perative that we as a community realise that that now the pre-season has been extended.
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 49
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Second thoughts? He is obviously trying to encourage me to and  be  disciplined  about  it.  Wash  your
My father is very continue playing by saying that, “If you hands, make sure hygiene is utmost. Make
happy because he have this sort of skill set and that you have sure you have social distancing. Make sure
felt in the results already this year, you should con- that we keep our elderly and our young safe,
beginning that I tinue. You are playing at the top of the that we don’t subject them to any infection.
should not be game.” I think that it is very important that it starts
retiring this year,” Now, that being said, I think it is very at home.
said Paes. R. RAGU important for us as a human race always to Any message for the fans across the
realign ourselves with what life throws at country?
us. Apart  from  being  responsible,  apart
During hard times like these, what from social distancing, it is also important
are the factors that you keep in mind for us to innovate. It’s also very important
while training? to watch one’s diet. Because when idleness
I think everyone is aected dierently. comes around, the natural human instinct is
It is tough to generalise. The the call of the to eat a lot. And without having that activity
day is to basically be responsible. The call of of  either  walking  up  and  down  steps,  of
the day is to have patience and abide by the exercising which keeps us fit, it is very im-
government and WHO’s (World Health Or­ portant to watch how much quantities of
ganization)  regulations.  Those  governing food and drink we intake. As Indians, we
bodies know the actual numbers, they know love food. We love as a community to come
the way this pandemic can are up. I think together and eat. It is important to practice
it’s very important to follow the guidelines social distancing and watch our diet. •
50 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
LOCKDOWN DIARIES P. R. SREEJESH
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Personal responsibility most important
“You have to ensure to not just stay safe yourself, but also take responsibility
for not infecting anyone else,” says India hockey goalkeeper P. R. Sreejesh.
UTHRA GANESAN

T
he COVID-19 pandemic has shut down the camp? Personal message:
world sports, but it has had an unexpec- Here it is all normal; there is nothing excep- “Anyone who is in
ted fallout — spare time for elite tional. The Sports Authority of India Centre public or forced to
sportspersons to catch up on things that (in Bengaluru) is in total shut down for meet people, try
they normally struggle to do. everyone except us — the hockey teams and and stay home as
For P. R. Sreejesh, it is the ideal time to a couple of elite athletes who have either much as possible,
clear his backlog of unread books — the man qualied for the Olympics or trying to. Even don’t mingle much
is a self-confessed bibliophile who devours among  the  centre  sta,  the  strength  has with people, use
biographies whenever possible. Right now, been reduced to less than half. Only those sanitisers and
the centre of attention for the Indian hockey who  are  actually  staying  inside  are  being masks whenever
team goalkeeper and former captain, at the allowed; all other contract sta have been you go out, always
Sports Authority of India Centre in stopped from coming. I would say right now wash your hands if
Bengaluru, happens to be The  Story  of my we are being provided the best possible fa­ you touch
Life by Helen Keller. cilities in the country. something,” said
In an interview, Sreejesh says that if he P. R. Sreejesh.
had to be quarantined with anyone it would Can you explain how the events have SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
be his family. “We are away from them for so panned out since the pandemic rst
long through the year that if I am ever isol- broke out?
ated and have nowhere to go, I would want See, for us, there has not been much change
my family with me,” he says. before  and  after.  Since  we  were  already  in
camp  when  it  actually  broke  out  seriously
How is the entire situation right now in and have been here since then, the routine
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LOCKDOWN DIARIES P. R. SREEJESH
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Reading list: The
centre of attention
for P. R. Sreejesh
happens to be The
Story of my Life by
Helen Keller.
“Some of the ones
I have finished
include Carry on,
Warrior by
Glennon Doyle
Melton, The 7
Habits of Highly
Eective People by
Stephen Covey and
Homo Deus: A
Brief History of
Tomorrow by
Yuval Noah Harari,”
he said.

hasn’t altered much inside. We have always coping?


had certain restrictions whenever we went Isolation or staying away from family per se
out even before this; now it has only become is not a very dierent thing; we have been
stricter. There are sanitisers everywhere, doing  it  for  years.  But  in  the  present  situ­
everyone is advised to wash hands often, and ation, we know we are safe inside, but there
we are not allowed to meet the public or go is  concern  for  families  outside.  When  we
outside. think  of  them  and  the  eects  the
We have gone outside a couple of times, coronavirus has had across the world, spe­
but now after the lockdown, there is a small cially its impact on kids and older people, it
general shop about 100m away and we go is a concern. 
only till there. If you ask me, everyone knows My  dad  is  over  60  and  also  a  heart  pa­
the intensity and seriousness of the situ- tient; my kids are three­ and six­years­old,
ation and what precautions must be taken. so it’s even more worrying. The good thing is
Everyone has been informed and we are that so far, there have been no positive cases
ourselves not allowing anyone to come in- or even symptoms in anyone in my village or
side or near the team. near my home. But the fact that being so far,
we cannot do anything about it is worrying
How’s the hygiene and social­ sometimes.  Now  that  the  borders  are  all
distancing scene in the camp? closed, no trains or ights or even buses, we
It is easy to stay protected because everyone know we cannot go home even if we want to.
is aware of the situation. Before and after All I can do is tell them to stay home and stay
every session, we wash our hands with soap, safe, not allow my dad to go out even to the
water and sanitiser. Also before and after market, not allow my kids to go out to play
every meal, we do it. Everyone is aware and and stay home.
taking great care of personal hygiene and
even clothes are being washed not just with How has the training been aected? Is
normal water but using antiseptics like it the same or has it changed in this
Dettol. It actually feels good to be situation?
responsible. Training has not been aected. We are doing
as usual thanks to SAI, all the facilities su­
Is it easier for someone like you who perb till today... We don’t even know when
anyway spends a large part in camps we will play the next tournaments, matches,
away from family? How is your family tours, anything. So we are trying to change
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Isolation  or
staying  away
from  family  per
se  is  not  a  very
dierent  thing;
we  have  been
if I am ever isolated and have nowhere to go, doing  it  for
I would want my family with me. Nothing years.  But  in
our training schedules, loads, methods and would be better than being with them 24x7, the  present
routines... spending time with my kids. I don’t think I
will ever get bored with that!
situation,  we
What do you do in your spare time now know  we  are
since you can’t go out anywhere? Does sport matter in these times? safe  inside,  but
Actually, there is no additional spare time, Yes, it does, but not more than human life. there  is
unlike for others! Since our training has con- Unless you are alive and healthy, sports will
tinued as usual and the camp is nonstop, matter little. If there has to be a choice concern  for
there has been little change to our sched- made, your health and family should come families
ules. But, yes, on weekends there is some first. Nothing is worth more than that, not outside.  When
extra time on hands. Earlier we would go out even sports for a professional athlete.
we  think  of
for coee or simply walk around the city, but
now  I  am  using  this  time  to  catch  up  on What’s your message to the fans? them  and  the
books. I have a huge collection and a backlog There is only one way to avoid getting the eects  the
that  I  normally  read  on  tours  and  during virus and stop its spread — personal hygiene coronavirus  has
travel, but now I am doing it in camp itself. and social distancing. Distance in life is very
Some of the ones I have finished include important. Anyone who is in public or forced
had  across  the
Carry on, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton, to meet people, try and stay home as much world,  specially
The  7  Habits  of  Highly  Eective  People by as possible, don’t mingle much with people, its  impact  on
Stephen Covey and Homo Deus: A Brief His­ use sanitisers and masks whenever you go kids  and  older
tory  of  Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari. I out, always wash your hands if you touch
have managed over a dozen this year so far! something. Taking a bath every day, even people,  it  is  a
Then there are movies online and we have twice a day, when you come back home. That concern. 
also started playing volleyball occasionally would be great!
to break the monotony and routine. The most important thing is to under-
stand personal responsibility. If you think
If you had to be isolated or quarantined you  are  safe,  you  wouldn’t  be  aected  and
with one person, who would that be? that it happens to others, you are wrong. No
My family, no questions about it! You also one is superhuman in this world, none of us
know how much time we get to spend with is exceptional. You have to ensure to not just
family and kids and parents. We are away stay safe yourself, but also take responsibil­
from them for so long through the year that ity for not infecting anyone else. •
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A time to take stock! 
Mithali Raj admits that it is a very dicult phase for any athlete to be in,
especially when it is time to prepare for the season ahead.

V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

I
t is a ‘forced break’ for many champion Confession: Mithali some  of  her  fabulous  feats  what  with  the
athletes across the world and more so for Raj admits that it is dreaded  Coronavirus  forcing  her  stay  put
someone like the best-ever women’s a very dicult indoors now.
cricketer from India, Mithali Raj. phase for any “In a way, it is a blessing in disguise as I
And, the 37-year-old Mithali, at home athlete to be in, can aord to do things which I haven’t for
for more than a week for the rst time in an especially when it years like cleaning up my room and ‘discov­
illustrious  career  spanning  a  stunning  21 is time to prepare ering’  many  souvenirs  about  which  I  had
years, is now digging deep into her treasure for the season almost  forgotten,”  says  Mithali  in  an  ex­
trove…  of  mementoes,  trophies  and  India ahead. clusive chat with Sportstar.
jerseys  which  are  re­kindling  memories  of V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM “Yes, denitely spending time with my
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niece (brother’s eight-year-old daughter Keeping occupied: prefer to read ction stories. Now I am read­


Anagha) being the best of all moments,” she “It is also time to ing non­ction ones too,” she says.
says with a big smile. read some books. Mithali admits that it is a very dicult
“Denitely,  it  is  not  just  doing  these Normally, when I phase  for  any  athlete  to  be  in,  especially
sorts  of  things  but  also  keeping  t  as  all am with the Indian when  it  is  time  to  prepare  for  the  season
gyms are also closed and I am doing some team I prefer to ahead.
basic  exercises  to  be  in  the  right  shape  ­ read fiction stories. “But again, you have to understand the
mentally and physically ­ as once this virus Now I am reading gravity of the situation across the world and
is  eradicated,  we  hope  to  be  back  on  the non-fiction ones plan  your  daily  activity  accordingly.  No
eld,” says Mithali. too,” Mithali says. doubt, everything looks uncertain now as to
“It is also time to read some books. Nor­ V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM what will happen next,” she says.
mally,  when  I  am  with  the  Indian  team  I “Certainly, at times, I do fear as to how
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harrowing indeed, for all of us and hopefully


will be the last,” Mithali says.
“This is a part of life. For years, I have
been used to the routine of getting up early
morning, going to training sessions, coming
back to relax for a couple of hours and going
back again on the field. It seems it will take
some time to get back to that daily regimen
again,” she says.
“All I can say to everyone is to under-
stand the way the Governments - at the
Centre and in the States – are facing the
challenges and contribute in our own way to
see an early end to this crisis,” Mithali
appeals.
Since she has the time now, does she
watch videos of the big achievers - in sports
and in other walks of life?
“Certainly not mine for sure. I have
never watched my own videos. Yes, I am
always keen to know how the successful
ones have overcome the challenges in some
of the most demanding situations. For you
can always pick a few new aspects in coun-
tering your own challenges,” she says.
Isn’t women’s cricket really upbeat after
the massive response to the T-20 World Cup
final in Melbourne? How was it being there
in Melbourne as the ICC ambassador?
“It was an unforgettable experience.
The atmosphere was unbelievable and the
crowd response matched men’s cricket in
terms of not just attendance but the passion
things would evolve with this dreaded virus. Proud collection: with which they supported the two teams -
There is a panicky feeling for sure as to what Mithali is now India  and  Australia  ­  sporting  dierent
will happen if it worsens,” she says. “For, digging deep into dresses and colours and showing their patri­
there is nothing more valuable than life and her treasure otism,” she explains.
these are dangerous times for sure,” she trove… of “But, like all other sports bodies, the ICC
adds. mementoes, is  forced  to  reschedule  many  events.  We
What are her impressions about this trophies and India were  supposed  to  play  the  World  Cup  (50
grim scenario? jerseys which are overs) qualifiers in Sri Lanka this June, then
“Just imagine the kind of impact it will re-kindling tour England this July-August. But, given
have on the under-privileged. memories of some the grim battle with the virus, everything
“I can easily visualise the kind of chal- of her fabulous will go for a toss,” she feels.
lenges the leaders face. For, as the Indian feats. On an IPL for women, Mithali feels that
team captain, there were instances when I SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT if at all the intention is there, this is the
had to put in a conscious eort to make my right time to start. “But, again this virus
teammates stay calm and composed under must have put on hold all thoughts in this
pressure knowing fully well it is sometimes regard,” she adds.
impossible  to  change  the  course  of But the champion cricketer suggests
matches,” Mithali explained. that the women’s IPL rules should be dier­
“I have been following on the social me­ ent like allowing six foreign players instead
dia every hour the developments related to of  four  (as  in  men’s  cricket)  as  women’s
this virus and I do feel with a sense of pride cricket  doesn’t  have  too  many  domestic
that  India  is  much  better  o  than  most  of players to form a team.
the  other  countries  hit  by  it,”  she  pointed “But I strongly believe you need to start
out. somewhere and it is high time to come up
“It is the first of its kind of experience, with the women’s IPL,” she ends. •
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All in the mind: “I
can maintain my
composure under
any stress and not
allow anxiety to
influence my
behaviour,” says
Shikhar Dhawan.
PTI

We will learn to be better human beings
Confined to his home, Shikhar Dhawan has found ways to remain active and
focussed. Other than his regular exercises, he has made rapid progress in
his new love — playing the flute.
VIJAY LOKAPALLY

S
pirituality is the driving force behind against Australia in Mohali in 2013. He lost
Shikhar Dhawan being able to stand up his Test spot in 2018 after the tour to Eng-
to the challenges. His personality has land but it has not dampened his resolve to
seen a transformation from the time he keep doing what he knows best — play
regained his place in the Indian team, espe- cricket with a positive mind.
cially the sensational century on debut The lockdown in the country has helped
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Philosophical: An Dhawan connect with himself, friends and under any stress and not allow anxiety to


injured Shikhar family like never before. “It was a good inuence my behaviour.”
Dhawan during a decision by our Prime Minister and very Insisting that it can be tackled, Dhawan
practice session important given the circumstances. We said,  “You  have  to  learn  to  interact  with
ahead of India’s have to understand it is for the benet of yourself. When I am batting in the middle, I
World Cup match the  people.  We  will  have  to  be  patient. interact with myself. You can be your best
against Can’t we give 21 days of our life to help the friend.  I  was  also  my  best  critic  when  I
Afghanistan in country  recover  from  this  outbreak?  We failed. I would concentrate on keeping neg­
England in 2019. “I need to control the spread of the virus and ativity out of my system, crush the negative
was quick to that can happen only if we follow the in­ feelings,  because  you  learn  nothing  from
realise that life has structions of the authorities and the doc­ them.”
various phases in tors,” Dhawan told Sportstar. How does he keep himself busy? “Doing
store for you. I was How does he tackle the lockdown? “By little chores in the house. Training. Read­
fortunate to visiting myself. By understanding myself. I ing. Playing with children. Eating together.
understand all that have to challenge myself. I have pledged to I look at this lockdown as a directive from
when I was a talk sweetly, not to lose my temper. I don’t God  and  nature.  We  have  been  taught  a
teenager,” says raise my voice. I know my strength is this lesson.  We  now  must  learn  to  respect
Dhawan. AP calmness that I have developed in the past nature. You may have all the world’s riches
few  years.  I  can  maintain  my  composure and comforts but it is nature which has the
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last laugh. We all have had some harsh jealousy and acrimony. Why compare and Enjoying the break:


lessons in recent times and I am sure we all why to compete needlessly? I was living my A file picture of
will learn to be better human beings.” dream by playing cricket and I told myself Dhawan with his
Being a cricketer, Dhawan picked up that I had to change my thinking. I felt very family. The dashing
lessons in life from the sport. “I learnt to light and enlightened as I prepared myself opener keeps
tackle hardships. Learnt to accept failures. for bigger challenges. I looked within and himself busy, doing
I was quick to realise that life has various faced the world with hope. I am glad I could little chores in the
phases in store for you. I was fortunate to live my dream.” house, training,
understand all that when I was a teenager. I Conned  to  his  home,  Dhawan  has reading, playing
could not get a place in the team as long as ways to remain active and focussed. Other with the children
Viru (Sehwag) and Gautam (Gambhir) were than  his  regular  exercises,  he  has  made and eating
excelling. I was busy playing Ranji Trophy rapid  progress  in  his  new  love  —  playing together, during
and accepting that my turn had not come the ute. “I can play a melodious tune for the current
yet. All the while I was learning. It took me you. I can engage you with my ute as I can lockdown.
nine year after my rst­class debut to get a with  my  batting  (laughs).  I  take  my  ute SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Test  cap.  It  made  me  a  better  cricketer lessons seriously. I also meditate without
actually.” fail. My ute also keeps me lively. Spiritu­
Recalling  that  tough  period,  Dhawan ality has transformed me. It is a dierent
noted, “I loved that competition. But I was journey. I don’t waste time in doing Whats­
not competing. When you start competing, app and chatting. I have begun to enjoy the
you also start comparing. And that leads to nature. It keeps me positive and happy.” •
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Making a point:
“Sports will be
badly hit because
of the impact on
the economy,” says
Grandmaster
P. Harikrishna.
RAJEEV BHATT

Sport is not important at this 
critical juncture 
“Already, I came to know that many sponsors of not just chess alone but other
disciplines too, have suered huge losses,” said Indian Grandmaster P. Harikrishna.
V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

G
randmaster (GM) P. Harikrishna feels sporting events.
that the lockdown and emergencies “Already, I came to know that many
across the world may not mean much to sponsors of not just chess alone but other
chess players for they normally prefer isola- disciplines  too,  have  suered  huge  losses.
tion to train. With this lockdown, it is not sure how many
But he asserts once the situation im- of them can recover and how quickly. Sports
proves, it might take a lot of time for the will be badly hit because of the impact on
sponsors to regroup and come back to host the  economy,”  says  33­year­old
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Harikrishna in an exclusive chat with sponsibility  was  to  ensure  the  virus  didn’t Second home:
Sportstar from Prague (Czech Republic), spread. Harikrishna with
where he has been staying since 2018 after But,  the  Candidates  Matches  also his wife and former
getting married to Nadezda Stojanovic, the presented  the  Hyderabadi  a  rst­time  ex­ Serbian chess
Serbian chess prodigy. perience of commentating for a website. player Nadezda
“Yes, we have to be optimistic about a “In  the  last  World  Championship  I  did Stojanovic. Hari,
dramatic improvement across the globe. comment but it was more of a summary of who is currently in
But, again, not that easy given the the day’s play. Here, I had to pick the game Prague, says he is
Coronavirus had hit the world economy so of the day and make an in­depth analysis. constantly in touch
badly,” feels India’s third highest-rated Honestly,  I  enjoyed  it  thoroughly,”  the with his friends
player after Viswanathan Anand (2753) and World No. 27 said. and family
Vidit Gujrathi (2726). “I am in touch with my game thanks to members.
The soft-spoken former World junior the  technology  available  and  my  wife’s V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM
champion also felt it was strange that the company. But, frankly this is is not the time
Candidates Chess tournament matches in to  think  of  any  tournaments.  Sport  is  not
Russia happened to be one of the very few important at this critical juncture when the
sporting events going on in the world, whole world is battling the dreaded virus. I
though it had to be cancelled subsequently am sincerely praying that everything will be
mid-way after seven rounds. okay soon,” Hari said from Prague, what is
“In the rst instance, I felt they should now his ‘second home’.
not have started it. It is not that we expect “Fortunately,  with  the  authorities  de­
something worse will happen. But, the hints claring  National  Emergency  in  Prague  on
were  coming  from  across  the  world.  Per­ March 15, the situation is not as bad it is in
haps,  the  gravity  was  misunderstood,”  he other countries. We are still going out for a
reasoned. walk but those who move without masks are
“The  fact  is  there  were  two  Chinese ned,” he added.
players in the Candidates Matches and their Reecting on what he missed the most,
families too would have been seriously wor­ Hari, who has an ELO rating of 2719, says he
ried about the developing situation. Well, if is constantly in touch with his friends and
someone says that when the players didn’t family members across the world. “I interact
have  a  problem,  what  is  there  to  debate, with my parents daily and I am glad that the
then  I  have  nothing  to  comment.” situation  is  not  bad  in  India,”  he  signed
Harikrishna  thinks  that  the  minimum  re­ o. •
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Highs and lows of Ranji Trophy 2019­20 Biggest victories
By wickets: 10 wickets (on 7 occasions by 7
sides)
By  runs: 464  runs,  Gujarat  beat  Goa  at
112.97 by  Abdul  Samad  for  Jammu  and
Kashmir – 592 runs in 524 balls in 17 innings
110.93 by K. Gowtham for Karnataka – 284
runs in 256 balls in 9 innings

T
he 86th edition of the Ranji Trophy tour- Valsad Most fours
nament,  India’s  premier  rst­class By  innings: Innings  and  425  runs, 174 by Rahul Dalal for Arunachal Pradesh in
cricket  tournament,  took  place  from Meghalaya beat Mizoram at Kolkata VAG 9 matches and 17 innings
December 9, 2019, to March 13, 2020. This Narrowest victories 138 fours by Punit Bisht for Meghalaya in 9
edition saw a record 38 teams participating By  wickets: 1  wicket  (3  occasions  by  3 matches and 15 innings
and in all a total of 169 matches were played. sides) 127 fours by Taruwar Kohli for Mizoram in 9
Chandigarh  competed  in  the  Ranji  Trophy By  runs: 21  runs,  Kerala  beat  Punjab  at matches and 16 innings
for the rst time. This season, we saw a new Thumba Most sixes
Ranji  Trophy  champion  in  Saurashtra, Most extras conceded 36 sixes  by  Abdul  Samad  for  Jammu  and
which  became  the  19th  team  to  win  the 73 by  Madhya  Pradesh  v  Karnataka  at Kashmir in 10 matches and 17 innings
competition  since  the  rst  edition  in  the Shimoga 26 sixes by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya in 9
1934­35  season.  It  should,  however,  be ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ matches in 14 innings
noted that two others sides from the same Total individual 100s 24 sixes by Ankit Kaushik for Chandigarh in
area  as  Saurashtra  had  won  the  Ranji  title 215 (includes  3  scores  of  300­plus  and  25 9 matches in 8 innings
before  independence  —  Nawanagar  (in scores between 200 and 299) Most individual 100s
1936­37) and Western India States (in 1943­ Highest individual scores 4 by  Harpreet  Singh  for  Chhattisgarh  in  8
44).  Meanwhile,  it  was  heartburn  for  the 307* by  Taruwar  Kohli  for  Mizoram  v  Ar­ matches and 11 innings
Bengal side. Although it has managed to win unachal Pradesh at Puducherry 4 by  Paras  Dogra  for  Puducherry  in  9
the tournament twice before in 1938­39 and 303* by Manoj Tiwary for Bengal v Hydera­ matches and 13 innings
1989­90, it has now nished runner­up for a bad at Kalyani 4 by Amit Verma for Goa in 10 matches and
record 12th time — the most by an Indian 301* by Sarfaraz Khan for Mumbai v Uttar in 14 innings
domestic side. Vidarbha, the champion for Pradesh at Mumbai WS 4 by  Mohd  Rahmatullah  for  Bihar  in  9
the  last  two  years,  and  41­time  winner 267* by Rahul Dalal for Arunachal Pradesh v matches and 15 innings
Mumbai disappointed as they failed to reach Nagaland at Dimapur 4 by  KB  Pawan  for  Mizoram  in  9  matches
the last eight. 254* by  Sanjay  Yadav  for  Meghalaya  v and 16 innings
A look at the highs and lows in the com­ Mizoram at Kolkata VAG 4 by  Arpit  Vasavada  for  Saurashtra  in  10
petition this season. 250 by  Punit  Bisht  for  Meghalaya  v  Ar­ matches and 16 innings
Winner: Saurashtra (maiden title) unachal Pradesh at Dibrugarh 4 by Rahul Dalal for Arunachal Pradesh in 9
Runner­up: Bengal (12th loss in a nal) 100s in each innings matches and 17 innings
Seminalists: Gujarat, Karnataka 178 & 205* by  Rahul  Dalal  for  Arunachal Most 50­plus scores
Quarternalists: Odisha,  Andhra,  Goa, Pradesh v Mizoram at Puducherry 9 by Rahul Dalal for Arunachal Pradesh in 9
Jammu and Kashmir 140 & 113* by Mohd Rahamatullah for Bi­ matches and 17 innings
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ har v Arunachal Pradesh at Patna 8 by Amit Verma for Goa in 10 matches and
Highest totals Highest run aggregate in 14 innings
688/7 declared by Mumbai v Uttar Pradesh 1,340 runs  by  Rahul  Dalal  for  Arunachal 8 by Punit Bisht for Meghalaya in 9 matches
at Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium) Pradesh in 9 matches and 17 innings and 15 innings
672/8 declared by Chandigarh v Manipur at 998 runs by Taruwar Kohli for Mizoram in 9 8 by  Taruwar  Kohli  for  Mizoram  in  9
Kolkata VAG matches and 16 innings matches and 16 innings
662/4 declared by Meghalaya v Mizoram at 976 runs by Puneet Bisht for Meghalaya in 9 Most 50s (50­99 runs)
Kolkata VAG matches and 15 innings 7 by Devdutt Padikkal for Karnataka in 10
Highest match aggregates 967 runs by Paras Dogra for Puducherry in 9 matches and 19 innings
1,405 runs  for  28  wickets  between  Ar­ matches and 13 innings 6 by Venkatesh Iyer for Madhya Pradesh in 7
unachal Pradesh and Nagaland at Dimapur 928 runs by Sarfaraz Khan for Mumbai in 6 matches and 11 innings
1,380 runs  for  24  wickets  between  Ar­ matches and 9 innings 6 by Shams Mulani for Mumbai in 8 matches
unachal  Pradesh  and  Mizoram  at Highest batting average and 11 innings
Puducherry 154.66 by Sarfaraz Khan for Mumbai – 928 6 by Punit Bisht for Meghalaya in 9 matches
1,371 runs for 33 wickets between Baroda runs in 9 innings with 3 not outs and 15 innings
and Mumbai at Vadodara 99.60 by Bipul Sharma for Chandigarh – 498 Most ducks
Lowest totals runs in 7 innings with 2 not outs 7 by Bobby Zothansanga for Mizoram in 9
27/10 by  Manipur  v  Meghalaya  at 96.60 by  Uday  Kaul  for  Chandigarh  –  483 matches and 15 innings
Mangoldoi runs in 9 innings with 4 not outs 6 by  Lalbiakvela  L  Guite  for  Mizoram  in  9
44/10 by Maharashtra v Services at Palam, Highest batting strike rates matches and 15 innings
Delhi 164.74 by Suryakant Pradhan for Odisha – 6 by  Bishworjit  Singh  for  Manipur  in  9
49/10 by Tripura v Haryana at Lahli, Rohtak 257 runs in 156 balls in 13 innings matches and 17 innings
62 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 63
STATSMAN NUMBER CRUNCHING / MOHANDAS MENON
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Rahul Dalal... Most sixes in an innings matches and 15 innings


highest run- 13 by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya v 49 wickets by Ashutosh Aman for Bihar in 9
aggregagate — Mizoram at Kolkata VAG matches and 16 innings
1340 runs in nine 13 by Ankit Kaushik for Chandigarh v 49 wickets by Ishwar Chaudhury for Sikkim
matches and 17 Mizoram at IT Park, Chandigarh in 9 matches and 16 innings
innings for 11 by Abdul Samad for Jammu and Kashmir Most ve­wicket hauls
Arunachal Pradesh. v Jharkhand at Ranchi 7 by Jaydev Unadkat for Saurashtra in 10
AKHILESH KUMAR 11 by Paras Dogra for Puducherry v Goa at matches and 16 innings
Puducherry 6 by Ishwar Chaudhury for Sikkim in 9
Highest strike rate in an innings matches and 16 innings
228.57 (64 in 28 balls) by Suryakant Pra- 5 by Saurabh Kumar for Uttar Pradesh in 8
dhan for Odisha v Services at Cuttack matches and 14 innings
(DRIEMS) 5 by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya in 9
170.66 (128 in 75 balls) by Abdul Samad for matches and 15 innings
Jammu and Kashmir v Jharkhand at Ranchi 5 Ashutosh Aman for Bihar in 9 matches and
154.41 (105* in 68 balls) by Nitish Rana for 16 innings
Delhi v Vidarbha at Delhi FSK Most 10­wicket hauls
------------------------------------- 3 by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya in 9
Most wickets matches and 15 innings
67 wickets by Jaydev Unadkat for Saurashtra 3 Jaydev Unadkat for Saurashtra in 10
in 10 matches and 16 innings matches and 16 innings
55 wickets by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya 2  Saurabh Kumar for Uttar Pradesh in 8
in 9 matches and 15 innings matches and 14 innings
52 wickets by Harshal Patel for Haryana in 9 Total ve­wicket hauls
matches and 17 innings 233 (includes one nine-wicket haul, four
50 wickets by Diwesh Pathania for Services eight-wicket hauls, 28 seven-wicket hauls,
in 9 matches in 17 innings 62 six­wicket hauls, 138 ve­wicket hauls)
49 wickets by MB Murasingh for Tripura in 9 Best bowling in an innings
64 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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9/52 by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya v Naga- Siddarth Kaul (5/24) for Punjab Andhra at Jayadev Unadkat...
land at Dimapur Patiala most wickets — 67,
8/22 by Rex R. Singh for Manipur v Mizoram Note: Ravi Yadav took a hat-trick in his in 10 matches and
at Kolkata VAG every first over on debut. 16 innings for
8/31 by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya v Pu- ------------------------------------- Saurashtra.
ducherry at Mangaldoi Best all­round performance SUDHAKARA JAIN
8/56 by Lalbiakvela L. Guite for Mizoram v 241* and 5/60 by Ajay Mandal for Chhattis-
Sikkim at Bhubaneswar (KIIT) garh v Uttarakhand at Raipur
8/60 by K. Gowtham for Karnataka v Tamil 113, 55 and 6/52 by Taruwar Kohli for
Nadu at Dindigul Mizoram v Sikkim at Bhubaneshwar (KIITG)
Total 10­wicket match hauls Best all-round performance in the same
33 (includes one 14-wicket haul, two 13- innings
wicket hauls, four 12-wicket hauls, eight 122* & 6/71 by Amit Verma for Goa v Ar-
11-wicket hauls, 18 10-wicket hauls) unachal Pradesh at Porvorim
Best bowling in a match 200* & 5/19 by Gurinder Singh for Chand-
14/170 by K. Gowtham for Karnataka v igarh v Manipur at Kolkata VAG
Tamil Nadu at Dindigul 148  &  5/39 by Amit Verma for Goa v
13/107 by Imliwati Lemtur for Nagaland v Mizoram at Kolkata CCFG
Meghalaya at Dimapur Best all­rounders
13/112 by Sanjay Yadav for Meghalaya v 848 runs and 43 wickets by Amit Verma for
Nagaland at Dimapur Goa in 10 matches
Hat­tricks 603 runs and 55 wickets by Sanjay Yadav for
Ashith Sanganakal (4/5) for Puducherry v Meghalaya in 9 matches
Meghalaya at Mangoldoi 598 runs and 49 wickets by M. B. Murasingh
Shahbaz Ahmed (4/26) for Bengal v Hydera- for Tripura in 9 matches
bad at Kalyani 673 runs and 35 wickets by Iqbal Abdulla for
Ravi Yadav (5/61) for Madhya Pradesh v Sikkim in 9 matches
Uttar Pradesh at Indore 509 runs and 35 wickets by Shahbaz Ahmed
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 65
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ON  THE
WRITE
LINE
SUNIL GAVASKAR
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The Honourable Supreme Court has given an excellent opportunity by its mandate for an Indian Cricketers’
Association and having two members of that association on the Apex Council of the Board of Control for
Cricket in India. THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY
dark times and this is a terrific chance for a and help, but most importantly the member Plans  must  be

Visions… no lockdown! 
nascent one like the Indian Cricketers’ Asso- has to take the first step by making a contri- made to be
ciation to show that it is the one that will look bution by way of a membership fee. Not only independent of the
after the brotherhood. It’s early days of will regular funds be coming in then, the BCCI funding to
course but it would be wonderful if they can member too will feel an ownership of the prevent the Indian
In these dark times, it is a terrific chance for the nascent Indian Cricketers’ draw a road map for the future and tell the association and take active interest in it. Cricketers’
members what their vision is. This can be Many a member today perhaps has no source Association from
Association to show that it is the one that will look after the brotherhood. done quite easily by asking the members on- of income with the current lockdown and he becoming
line what they would want. Of course, not would be looking to the association for assist- beholden to the

T
he unprecedented lockdown throughout It is also a time where we get the chance to every want can be fulfilled, but needs can ance and guidance at this time. This is where board. AFP
most of the sporting world has thrown the appreciate all those who help make our lives certainly be met and that is what the eort funds raised will come in handy.
international sporting calendar in disar- easier with their presence, be it relatives, should always strive for. There is plenty of work ahead if it is going
ray. It is at this time that one realises that elders, family and extended family, friends, The  focus  on  getting  an  oce  space to be an association that players will be lining
sport is just a tiny part of the universe and sta  or,  most  importantly,  public  workers, seems trivial now that we know, thanks to the up to be a part of and this is where the vision
there’s much more to life than winning and whose work is finally being recognised and lockdown,  that  we  all  can  work  from  home statement and steps taken towards fulfilling
losing a sporting encounter. Winning the acknowledged. too. Plans must be made to be independent of that will be critical. The Honourable Supreme
battle to live is far more crucial than anything Even as we individually get the time to the BCCI funding to prevent the association Court has given an excellent opportunity by
else. reboot ourselves, it’s also a wonderful oppor- from  becoming  beholden  to  the  board.  If  it its mandate for an Indian Cricketers’ Associ-
This lockdown not only provides us the tunity for organisations to do an honest in- really wants to be the voice of the cricketers ation and having two members of that associ-
chance to take a step back and reflect on our trospection and focus on areas where they in the country then it must do so standing on ation on the Apex Council of the BCCI. The
lives, careers and possibilities, but also gives can get better. its  own  legs  and  not  propped  up  by  board next year or so will show us whether that has
us 'my time,' which has been a luxury in the Many such associations are coming to the funds. made  a  dierence  for  the  cricketing  com­
rush, rush pattern of our existence. aid of their members and fraternity in these There will be many who will come forward munity or whether it is just a pipe dream. •
66 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 67
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FROM  THE
VANTAGE
POINT
PAUL FEIN
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10 tennis things you can do 
during the coronavirus crisis
Watch great tennis matches, Play trivia games and do
tennis quizzes with your family, talk about your dreams
with your family and friends, and more...

“I n adversity, remember to keep an even


mind.” — Horace.
“Friendship makes prosperity more
Early action: Empty
stands at the
Indian Wells Tennis
Watch  great  tennis  matches.  If  you’re
going through a painful withdrawal caused
by the suspension of pro tournaments, you
shining and lessens adversity by dividing Garden on March can  watch  all  or  parts  of  championship
and sharing it.” — Cicero. 8. The BNP Paribas matches on the Internet with a few clicks. If
“Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, Open was the first you’ve taped them over the years, dig into
for wise men say it is the wisest course.” — big tennis your video library and select your favourite
William Shakespeare. tournament to be players  competing  in  their  most  glorious
Our ability to adapt will be tested during cancelled because matches. And if your nation is fortunate to
the rapidly changing coronavirus pandemic. of a public health have a tennis channel or sports channel that
We don’t know how long this still mysteri- emergency when a features  tennis,  check  its  TV  schedule  for
ous virus will last or how severe its eects case of coronavirus replays of the greatest matches in the recent
will be. But tennis players have surmounted was confirmed in and distant past.
daunting  challenges  before,  such  as  two the area. Read a tennis book. If you enjoy humour
World  Wars,  natural  disasters,  economic GETTY IMAGES and nostalgia, you’ll love A Handful of Sum­
depressions and political upheaval. mers, a classic by Gordon Forbes. If memoirs notch advice. The Pros: The Forgotten Era of Clay court king: how  they’re  dealing  with  the  suspension  of
With  information,  ingenuity  and  plan­ are  your  favourite  genre,  you  can’t  beat Tennis by Peter Underwood will engross his­ Will rescheduling tournaments. And just talk tennis with them.
ning,  you  can  make  the  best  of  this  Brave OPEN,  a  candid  page  turner  by  Andre tory bus interested in the unsung, outcast the French Open, Any topic. The conversation might focus on
New World of infectious disease while com­ Agassi.  Hardcore  tennis  fans  will  relish pro champions before Open tennis arrived in starting September recent  practice  matches,  how  your  or  their
plying  with  your  country’s  guidelines  to Short  Circuit,  a  controversial  expose  by 1968.  Reading  old  tennis  magazines,  espe­ 20, aect Rafael various injuries are healing, other area play­
protect  yourself  and  others  against muckraker Michael Mewshaw. Players itch­ cially World Tennis and Tennis Week, can also Nadal’s chances of ers, or reminisces of tournaments past. You
COVID­19. ing to improve their games will find Absolute bring back fond memories of happier times. winning a mind­ might even speculate about the eects of the
Here are some suggestions to help make Tennis, an instruction book by Marty Smith, Phone your tennis friends. That will re­ blowing  13th  title? coronavirus  crisis  on  the  tennis  world.  For
life bearable and even enjoyable. brimming with valuable insights and top- duce their and your social isolation. Ask them GETTY IMAGES example,  how  will  the  rescheduled  French
68 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 69
VANTAGE POINT
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Open,  starting  September  20,  aect  clay Tennis trivia: Slam titles than his wife? If you have a smarty


court king Rafael Nadal’s chances of winning Alice Marble, the pants in your family, ask him to tell you the
a mind­blowing 13th title? 1930s female four dierent scoring system rules for decid­
Play  trivia  games  and  do  tennis  quizzes star, became a ing  set  tiebreakers  at  Grand  Slam  tourna­
with your family. You can get the games go­ heroic American ments  and  the  name  of  the  tennis  gold
ing with these challenging and fun questions. spy during World medallist at the first Olympic Games.
Do you know which 1970s and 2000s tennis War II. If you suddenly have more free time, do
champions  were  once  engaged  but  did  not THE HINDU PHOTO volunteer work. If you’re knowledgeable
marry? Or which 1930s female star became a LIBRARY about technique and tactics, ask a local
heroic American spy during World War II? Or teaching pro if she needs an assistant. Volun-
which  all­time  great  won  far  fewer  Grand teer for a committee or two at a nearby tennis
70 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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club or tennis centre. You may be able to help Tennis movies: The coronavirus. First, observe the “social distan-
with its outreach programme, court mainten- plot of the film cing” rule of staying 6ft away from everyone
ance, social media or website — as long as the Battle of the Sexes else, including your doubles partner. Second,
work does not require face-to-face is loosely on a 1973 if you cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your
interactions. exhibition match in mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of
Play tennis, especially outdoors. Un- which Billie Jean your elbow. Third, wash your hands with soap
crowded outdoor space is generally low-risk, King (right) and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
and the fresh air, sunlight and exercise will defeated Bobby before you play and, if possible, after each
boost your immune system. Have fun, but Riggs. set. Fourth, do not touch your face, and do
also take the necessary precautions to avoid THE HINDU PHOTO not shake hands, high­ve or hug. Fifth, and
being exposed and exposing others to the LIBRARY very  importantly,  the  Centres  for  Disease
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 71
VANTAGE POINT
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Tennis reads:
(Clockwise from
left) If you enjoy
humour and
nostalgia, you’ll
love A Handful of
Summers, a classic
by Gordon Forbes.
If memoirs are
your favourite
genre, you can’t
beat OPEN, a
candid page turner
by Andre Agassi.
The Pros: The
Forgotten Era of
Tennis by Peter
Underwood will
engross history
bus interested in
the unsung,
outcast pro
champions before
Open tennis
arrived in 1968.
Hardcore tennis
fans will relish
Short Circuit, a
controversial
expose by
muckraker Michael
Mewshaw. 

Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends,


“If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you
might have it, stay in touch with your doctor.
Call before you get medical care. Be sure to taneously throw a tennis ball at each other.
get care if you feel worse or you think it is an To toughen the drill, gradually move closer to
emergency.” each other and throw faster and to dierent
If you can’t play on a given day, increase spots. You can also learn how to juggle tennis
your o­court training. Hitting against a wall balls.  To  maintain  your  speed  and  agility,
keeps your ground strokes grooved and your sprint 10, 20 and 30ft, while alternating the
timing  sharp.  For  hand­eye  coordination, direction laterally, diagonally, backward and
stand 20ft away from your partner and simul­ forward.  And  don’t  forget  to  do  stretching
72 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
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exercises to improve your flexibility. Lighten up! Young your immune system, stimulates many or-
Talk about your dreams with your family children can have gans and brightens your mood.
and friends. If you want to make your high fun impersonating Stay informed. That’s your best defence
school, college or club team, discuss how you the mannerisms of against this highly contagious disease. In an
plan to do it. The same goes for winning a their favourite era of unprecedented misinformation, you
coveted title, achieving a top-10 ranking, or stars, such as can find valuable information and authoritat-
improving a weak stroke in your otherwise Serena Williams ive advice at these highly respected health
solid game. yelling “Come on!” and medical organisations: the World Health
The dream could involve serving in a ten- after winning big Organisation (https://www.who.int/emergen­
nis organisation, whether it be paid or volun- points. AP cies/diseases/novel­coronavirus­2019), the
teer work. For inspiration, remember what Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
the great writer John Updike said: “Dreams (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/  2019­
come true. Without that possibility, nature nCoV/index.html), the National Institutes of
would not incite us to have them.” Health (https://www.nih.gov/health­inform­
Lighten up! A sense of humour is more ation/coronavirus), Johns Hopkins Medicine
important now than ever. If you have young (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.  org/
children, visit https://www.scary­ coronavirus), the Mayo Clinic (https://
mommy.com/tennis­jokes/ for tennis jokes. www.mayoclinic.org/  diseases­conditions/
They can also have fun impersonating the coronavirus/symptoms­causes), the Cleve-
mannerisms of their favourite stars, such as land Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/
Rafa fist-pumping and Serena yelling “Come landing/ preparing­for­coronavirus).
on!” after they win big points. Watch a funny We are all in this pandemic together. So,
tennis movie, such as Battle of the Sexes, Pat as Ben Franklin said after signing the Amer-
and Mike or Break Point. Laughter is the best ican Declaration of Independence in 1776,
medicine. It’s no joke. According to the Mayo “We must all hang together or most assuredly
Clinic, laughter relieves stress, improves we will all hang separately.” •
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 73
CROSSWORD SRIRAM SRINIVASAN
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SOLUTION  TO  LAST  FORTNIGHT’S


CROSSWORD

ACROSS Dolphins,  Multan  Sultans, his first name. His serves were
Guyana  Amazon  Warriors, so powerful. (7)
1 Ignacio Trelles Campos, who Chennai  Super  Kings,  and
coached Mexico at three World Surrey in T20s. (5) 9 The umpire who broke Steve
Cups, was popularly called by this Bucknor’s record for Test
name. (3,5) 18 Twice unified heavyweight appearances. (5,3)
champion, Anthony Oluwafemi
6 Goalkeeper-captain for Bayern Olaseni ... (6) 10 The Sarusajai Stadium is in this
Munich and Germany. (5) Indian city. (8)
DOWN
7 Sport that’s referred to as ‘chess 12 Rodney George ... was number 1
on ice.’ (7) 1 It’s sometimes referred to as the in his sport between 1964 and
‘World Cup of tennis.’ (5,3) 1970. (5)
11 The cricket coach, nicknamed
‘Alfie’ and ‘JL.’ (6) 2 The women’s T20 World Cup’s 14 Carlsen and Humpy are the
player of the final, Alyssa ... (5) current champions in this form
13 The country Hend Zaza, a 11- of chess. (5)
year-old table tennis player 3 The National Hockey League’s
who has qualified for Tokyo team representing Pittsburgh. 16 The Formula One team owned
Olympics, is from. (5) (8) by Gene ... (4)

14 They  are  called  the  unocial 4 Juventus has come out on top of
12th man of the English cricket this most number of times. (5,1)
team. (5,4)
5 He is between Warne and
15 Former India captain who leads Anderson in the list of bowlers
Tamil Thalaivas. (4,6) with most Test wickets. (6)

17 He  plays  for  South  Africa, 8 The word ‘Pistol’ was prefixed to

74 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR


CHESS COLUMN
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Readers may send in their queries to


cgsnarayanan@hotmail.com

SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 75


TRIBUTE P. K. BANERJEE
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P. K. Banerjee during a practice


session in 1961.THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY

Banerjee of the banner headlines 
AMITABHA DAS SHARMA

P
P.K. Banerjee’s radip Kumar Banerjee, one of the than life stature, both as a footballer and a
greatest footballers to have ever played coach. For many of his peers and even play­
‘vocal tonic’ for India, passed away recently after a ers  of  a  later  generation,  P.K.  belonged  to
was a brief ght with age­related illness. He was that realm of excellence that very few foot­
household 83 and left behind two daughters and a le­ ballers in the country could match. “He was
gion  of  admirers.  Playing  in  an  era  that  is a great man, a great footballer and a great
word. It embellished in the history of Indian football coach. I got name and fame because of him.
was his as  the  golden  period,  P.K  (as  he  was  pop­ He was like my godfather. P.K. Banerjee was
unparalleled ularly  known),  was  a  colossus  with  his such  an  inspiration  for  players.  His  vocal
multi­faceted talents. tonic and tactical acumen were great stu,”
ability to His position is incomparable in the his­ Shyam Thapa, one of the nest forwards to
motivate the tory  of  Indian  football  as  he  enriched  the have  played  for  the  country,  says  in  his
sport as a player, coach, administrator and tribute.
players with a commentator.  The  acknowledgment  of  his At  a  time  when  football  was  mostly
careful unparalleled accomplishments came in the played  with  the  ve­forward  system,  P.K.
selection of form of the Centennial Order of Merit (year excelled both as a right winger and a centre
2004) by which the world governing body of forward,  showing  a  rare  disposition  of
words laced football,  FIFA,  recognised  him  as  the speed,  skill  and  power.  His  worth  can  be
with greatest Indian footballer of the 20th cen­ gauged from the fact that he scored 65 goals
metaphors tury. The Arjuna Award, which he received while turning out in national colours in 84
as the rst footballer in the very year it was matches. 
and instituted (1961), and the Padma Shri (1990) Showing  his  talent  quite  early  in  age,
anecdotes. are two other cherished trophies. P.K. made his Santosh Trophy debut for Bi­
What made P.K. a legend was his larger har at the age of 15. Born on June 23, 1936,
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in the north Bengal town of Jalpaiguri, he ful because of his man-management skills,” With P. K. Banerjee
completed his early education in the local says one of the finest defenders of the coun- as the coach, India
school before moving to Jamshedpur to pur- try, Manoranjan Bhattacharya, about his won the bronze in
sue further education. Scouts from the football guru. the Bangkok Asian
Kolkata (then Calcutta) clubs took note of Soon P.K. was part of the national team. Games in 1970, the
his precocious talent as he turned out for And here again he was a pioneer, being last time that the
Bihar and he soon made his way to the picked despite being a name outside the Big country has won a
“Maidan” to start his club career with Aryan Three of Calcutta football. He earned the football medal at
in  1954.  With  club  football  oering  very first national cap at the age of just 19 when the event. He was
little in terms of remuneration in a purely he played the Quadrangular Tournament in also the coach
amateurish setup at that time, P.K. opted to Dhaka in 1955 and was a part of the Indian when India
take a job in Eastern Railway. As the eldest team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. In- participated in the
among seven siblings, earning a livelihood dia beat host Australia 4-2 in the quarterfi- Tehran (1974),
was  the  primary  concern,  but  P.K.  never nals and P.K. figured prominently in the Delhi (1982) and
allowed  that  to  overshadow  his  passion, win, assisting Neville DeSouza, who scored Seoul (1986) Asian
which was football. After he joined, the rail­ a hat-trick, and J. Krishnaswamy. This was Games. THE HINDU
way team made its way up the rungs of the indeed one of the most memorable chapters PHOTO LIBRARY
famed  Calcutta  Football  League  and  won in Indian football. India finished fourth in
the title in 1958! Melbourne, which still is considered as the
That was the first time any team outside best performance by the country on the
the Big Three – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal world stage.
and Mohammedan Sporting — had won the India’s next Olympics participation in
CFL title. And P.K. made the most notable 1960 (Rome) saw P.K. as the captain and he
contribution in the rise of Eastern Railway. made it memorable by scoring the equaliser
“He was the heartbeat of the players and to hold France 1-1.
the supporters. He was knowledgeable “I was the captain of the Indian team in
about the sport and a good psychologist who the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and P.K.
understood each and every player well. He was the right-wing player. After that the
communicated well and knew how to motiv- Indian team toured Malaysia, Hong Kong,
ate the players individually. He was success- Singapore, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia and
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 77
TRIBUTE P. K. BANERJEE
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Photo  shows  P.  K. other places, where we got very good res- in Kuala Lumpur. Here India won silver in
Banerjee relaxing ults. We have spent so many glorious hours 1959 and 1964 and the bronze in 1965. After
amidst books. He together. With P.K’s death all those memor- this, P.K. announced the end of his playing
shows a ies are flooding back. He was always full of days in 1967.
preference for life and I remember him as a positive player P.K. then started preparing himself for a
sports magazines who combined speed and a great knack for coaching job, which soon became a reality
particularly Sport scoring,” says his first India team captain when he was asked to shepherd the national
& Pastime. THE Samar (Badru) Banerjee. team. Under his stewardship India won the
HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY The ‘failure’ in the Rome Olympics was bronze in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1970,
soon forgotten as India became the best in the last time that the country has won a
the continental competition, picking up the football medal at the event. He was also the
gold in the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games. This coach when India participated in the Tehran
remains one of the most memorable (1974), Delhi (1982) and Seoul (1986) Asian
achievements for P.K. as India beat the for- Games.
midable South Korea 2-1 in the final in front P.K. was a great player. But he was even
of a consistently booing crowd. Jarnail greater as a coach. He started his club
Singh and P.K. scored one apiece to down coaching career with a bang when he was
the South Koreans as India rose to the top in announced the coach of East Bengal in 1972.
the continent. P.K. had also played in the He found success immediately, winning five
1958 and 1966 Asian Games. trophies for the team in his first year, and
Banerjee’s international career ran for a repeated the feat in the very next season. He
considerable period as he also represented also became extremely popular with his
India on three occasions in the Merdeka Cup fantastic game-reading ability and excel-
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SPORTOON

Banerjee with his family members.


THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY

lent man-management skills.


Just as he brought success to East
Bengal, he also managed to take a relatively
unknown side like Bata to the top division of
the Calcutta (Football) League.
East Bengal’s traditional rival Mohun
Bagan struck a gold mine in 1976 when P.K.
became its coach. “After he took over the
reins of Mohun Bagan in 1976, we won ve
trophies. Nobody understood the game bet­
ter than P.K. Banerjee. On several occasions
he made me play as a forward. His coaching
duel with Amal Dutta is a great part of In­
dian football history. While Amal da was a
master of formations and tactics, Pradip da
used to strategise according to the way the
opponent  team  played  and  was  very  suc­
cessful,” says another of P.K’s famous pu­
pils,  the  great  Mohun  Bagan  defender
Subrata Bhattacharya.
By this time P.K’s ‘vocal tonic’ had be­
come a household word. It was his unpar­
alleled ability to motivate the players with a
careful selection of words laced with meta­
phors and anecdotes.
East Bengal, where he spent a great part
of  his  coaching  career,  won  around  30
trophies under P.K’s charge.
He also has the credit of getting the best
out of some of the biggest names of Indian Isolation: A man plays basketball in an empty
football like Mohammad Habib, Akbar, Sur­ VOC Park Corporation Sports Complex court in
ojit Sengupta, Subhash Bhowmick, Subrata Coimbatore on March 27, 2020, during the
Bhattacharya, Shyam Thapa, Chima Okorie third day of the 21-day nationwide lockdown.
and Manoranjan Bhattacharya. Sporting acivities have come to a standstill
The  passing  away  of  P.K  has  created  a owing to the coronavirus pandemic. M. PERIASAMY
void that can hardly be lled. •
SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 79
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FITNESSWISE
RAMJI
SRINIVASAN
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Fitness testing: bane or boon?
Testing athletes and tracking those test results over time is fundamental to
eecting a successful strength­and­conditioning programme that is valid for
your sport and skill.

What is fitness testing? best desired results in the future.


Fitness testing is simply a way of taking measurements ✪ It’s an evaluation process for strength­and­con­
of the body and its responses to exercise stimuli. This ditioning coaches on whether their periodised plan is
helps in identifying what component of tness needs to working or not.
improve,  or  whether  the  current  level  of  the  body’s ✪ Finally,  to  know  where  each  athlete’s  current
response  to  a  challenging  scenario  can  be  time­  or level  of  overall  tness  matches  the  individual’s  or
distance­bound depending on the sport and skill. team’s success.
Dierent sports need dierent components of test­
ing and some crossover happens in testing for the same Dos for conducting fitness testing
component of the energy system. For example, a 40m 1. Prepare the athletes with proper warm­up and hydra­
sprint or pro­agility testing or countermovement jumps tion before the tests are conducted.
or even an explosive power test. These tests are done in 2. Reliability and repeatability of designated tests are of The right oder: Testing should start with non-fatiguing tests such as anthropometric measurements followed
various sports cutting across dierent skill sets, too. great  importance  for  proper  reading  and  data by power, speed, strength, muscle endurance and finishing with aerobic activities. THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY
collection.
Why testing? 3. It is totally imperative that the chosen tests, equip­ components. ✱ The testing coach should be transparent in shar­
Fitness  testing  is  an  intrinsic  factor  in  every  level  of ment used, coaches administering them and the athlete 10. All the test results should be made available to the ing the results with the concerned group or athletes or
sports  from  youth,  recreational  exercisers  to  profes­ being  tested  are  all  prepared  and  follow  specic athletes, coaching sta and management to help them management.
sional athletes. guidelines to ensure the validity and reliability of the in decision­making. ✱ Choosing the wrong test for a skill is showing an
✪ Data  collection  for  decision­making  processes data collected. 11. Provide proper instructions to all the athletes ahead appetite for destruction.
and setting up new goals. 4. Testing should start with non­fatiguing tests such as of  testing  so  they  can  clearly  understand  what  is  re­ ✱ Wrong  comparative  studies  with  the  results  of
✪ Each athlete’s baseline measurements from the anthropometric  measurements  followed  by  power, quired of them to execute a test and to be motivated to other non­related groups.
starting point in his or her career and the current level speed, strength, muscle endurance and nishing with perform with maximum eort. ✱ Demotivating  the  athletes  prior  to  the  testing
of tness. aerobic activities. 12. Safety procedure and precautions should be in place through harsh words or not giving a proper explanation
✪ It  helps  coaches  make  decisions  to  include  or 5. All testing equipment should be correctly calibrated in case the athlete is injured during testing. regarding the testing and the results.
exclude elements from the plan for the team depending and the current environment should be checked thor­ 13. Adequate rest and time should be given for recovery ✱ Making  an  athlete  uncomfortable  prior  to  the
on the current status and also long­term potential. oughly, thus enabling the testing battery to run without during trials and tests to get the best desired results. testing by embarrassing them at various stages in front
✪ Talent identication for long­term athletic devel­ any hitch. 14. Pre­test medical screening is of paramount import­ of fellow athletes with cues or words. It is highly demo­
opment (LTAD) in any sport. 6. All tests should be done with proper communication ance to prevent any emergency issues or complications. tivating for the athlete.
✪ Huge  data  collection  for  varied  ethnic  groups, well  ahead  with  the  athletes  and  the  selection  and ✱ Highly unethical processes of modifying or alter­
skills, genetic make­up and lifestyle dierences. It can sequencing  of  the  tests  explained  depending  on  the Don’ts in testing procedures ing  or  inaccurately  scoring  test  results  to  suit  their
help  derive  a  proper  long­term  solution  for  the  per­ physiological  and  biomechanical  demands  for  each ✱ Not validating the results acquired to the athlete or professional needs or to stay in the post.
formance increment domain. sport or skill. coaches or management. ✱ Strength­and­conditioning  coaches  failing  to
✪ Injury prevention and cure is an important factor 7. Retesting  should  be  done  on  the  same  protocols  as ✱ Testing at dierent times and dierent surfaces identify  the  athlete  is  not  giving  100  percent  in  each
through tness testing. done previously for correct result and data collection. will  lead  to  varied  results  and  not  the  right  data testing can aect the reliability of the test.
✪ Movement mechanics analysis and posture con­ Small errors can make huge dierences in the readings collection. ✱ Finally,  undermining  an  athlete’s  eort  and
trol of each individual can be inferred according to each and results. ✱ Improper procedures followed during testing and motive  can  be  counterproductive  to  he  or  she  giving
sport’s requirements. 8. Athletes need to be given the proper information and measurements. their best and taking the test in the future.
✪ Specic components of tness to generic compet­ time frame for preparation of the tests. Adherence to ✱ Favouritism  showed  to  a  particular  athlete  or  a
ence  can  be  analysed  through  specialised  testing proper  scientic  protocols  is  critical  for  results  and group in collecting and manipulating test results. The bottom line
protocols. performance. ✱ Not doing the right sequencing of tests. Testing the athletes and tracking those test results over
✪ Prediction  of  likely  injuries  due  to  improper 9. Standardise the testing for each sport or a skill and ✱ Inconsistent in testing, poorly done, at the wrong time is fundamental to eecting a successful strength­
physiological mechanics can be determined. repeat it in same sequence. Dierent age groups would time  or  in  the  wrong  way  can  give  wrong  results  and and­conditioning  programme  that  is  valid  for  your
✪ How training variables can be tweaked to get the have  dierent  standards  and  choice  of  testing message to the whole group or athlete. sport and skill. •
80 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR SPORTSTAR APRIL 18, 2020 81
THE LAST WORD
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There was a dignity about the man
P. K. Banerjee knew everything and everybody in football, and had the magnanimity to
share easily what he had worked hard at acquiring.
SURESH MENON

A
few weeks into my career, I was looking forward to his job to do and I had mine.
reporting a Ranji Trophy seminal when, out of the Over the years as cricketers showed their displeas­
blue,  I  was  asked  to  go  to  Kolkata  to  report  the ure in various ways after I had criticised them in print, I
inaugural Jawaharlal Nehru international football tour­ always remembered Pradip da’s reaction, or lack of it.
nament. I hadn’t even reported Bengaluru’s local league There was a dignity about the man, and an understand­
at  that  stage,  but  I ing  of  the  rules  of
carried  with  me  the the  game.  I  can’t
condence of youth. think  of  anyone  in
I  quickly  realised  I sport who took criti­
needed  more  than cism  with  such
that.  I  was  new  to equanimity,  and  I
the  city,  new  to  the include all the great
sport and new to the Indian sportsmen of
profession. the last three or four
P. K. Banerjee — decades.
Pradip da to me and I never saw Pra­
legions of his friends dip  da play,  but  it
—  hand­held  me must  have  been  a
through my rst ma­ treat.  Old­timers
jor  assignment.  He spoke  of  his  power­
was  the  national ful right foot and an
coach, a passionate, equally  powerful
articulate, energetic left  in  an  age  when
man at the height of Indian  players  ten­
his coaching career. ded  to  favour  one
He  was  my  coach over  the  other.  He
too. played  for  the  un­
He  introduced fashionable  Eastern
me to players, to in­ Railway  and  led
ternational  coaches them  to  the  league
and  ocials.  I  was title  in  Kolkata.  He
let into his charmed was  an  Olympian
circle. It was a priv­ Superstar: P. K. Banerjee was an Olympian twice over and twice  over  and  an
ilege.  He  let  me an Asian Games gold medallist. It was no coincidence that Asian  Games  gold
travel  in  the  team his playing days saw the golden age of Indian football. medallist.  It  was  no
bus. It was an amaz­ G. P. SAMPATH KUMAR coincidence that his
ing show of generos­ playing days saw the
ity and kindness towards a youngster he was meeting for golden age of Indian football.
the rst time. He loved to talk. And he could swing from the depths
We met often after that. During national camps, at of knowledge to the edges of gossip without any eort.
other tournaments, on his visits to Bengaluru, and later He knew everything and everybody in football, and had
when  I  travelled  to  Kolkata  to  report  cricket.  I  once the  magnanimity  to  share  easily  what  he  had  worked
wrote a piece criticising him, especially his remark that hard at acquiring. In his passing, I have lost a friend and
Indian players didn’t know how to trap the ball. This was an  early  mentor  —  for  not  only  was  Pradip  da India’s
a strange thing for a coach to say. Someone sent Pradip ‘Mr. Football’ for decades as player and coach, he was
da a clipping.  also  someone  who  lived  a  seamless  life  between  the
It didn’t make the slightest dierence to our rela­ sport and his life. Life lessons bled into football and vice
tionship. He never mentioned it, conscious that he had versa. Go well, Pradip da… •
82 APRIL 18, 2020 SPORTSTAR
RNP no: HQ/SD/505/2020-22, RNI No. 30513/1978.

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