I’m pleased to announce the release of my second book on on cricket–‘the game, not the animal, or the cartoon character’: Eye on Cricket: Reflections on the Great Game (HarperCollins, 2015; online sale point in India here). This brings together a collection of essays based on my blogging over at ESPN-Cricinfo–over the past six years.Continue reading “Book Release Announcement: Eye on Cricket: Reflections On The Great Game”
Category Archives: Sports
The Trials Of Muhammad Ali
We all know the story: In 1967, three years after winning the heavyweight title, [Muhammad] Ali refused to be conscripted into the U.S. military, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War. The U.S. government declined to recognize him as a conscientious objector, however, because Ali declared that he wouldContinue reading “The Trials Of Muhammad Ali”
Very ‘Eavy, Very ‘Umble: Weightlifting And Humility
Lifting weights requires humility. Two weeks ago, a couple of days before I began a week-long vacation with my family–a road-trip to Cincinnati to visit my in-laws, that is, my daughter’s grandparents–I squatted 255lbs for three sets of six repetitions. (The sixth rep in there aims to add a little volume to my training.) IContinue reading “Very ‘Eavy, Very ‘Umble: Weightlifting And Humility”
The Indian Non-Fan of Cricket
My latest post at The Cordon at ESPNcricinfo, about that supposedly mystical creature, the Indian non-fan of cricket, is up and running. Here is how the post concludes: There is nothing essential about cricket’s place in the Indian imagination or sensibility; its position is not protected by any mystical guarantees of durability. It is aContinue reading “The Indian Non-Fan of Cricket”
Running On Dark Mornings: How Virtuous It Is
In his autobiography The Greatest: My Own Story, (which I read as a pre-teen), Muhammad Ali often described his training routines. Among their components was something called ‘roadwork.’ I knew it involved running, but didn’t fully understand the roles shadow boxing and jumping rope played in it. Roadwork was an early morning business; Ali would leave hisContinue reading “Running On Dark Mornings: How Virtuous It Is”
The Renewability of Cricket
My latest post at The Cordon at ESPN-Cricinfo is titled ‘The Renewability of Cricket‘. Here is an excerpt: I want to suggest here that “we, as players and spectators” have a great deal to do with the perceived complexity of cricket. Quite simply, this is because we change over time; we do not bring, toContinue reading “The Renewability of Cricket”
At The Allrounder: Being A Mets And Yankees Fan
This past April, in noting the online debut of a new sports journal, The Allrounder, I noted its self-description: The Allrounder will be distinct from existing sports media sites in covering the whole world of sport. The site will feature writers from different countries, whose expertise ranges from basketball, cricket, and hockey to all codesContinue reading “At The Allrounder: Being A Mets And Yankees Fan”
Writing In The Cordon
As I note on my ‘About‘ and ‘Miscellaneous Writings‘ pages, I blog on cricket at ESPN-Cricinfo’s The Cordon. (My fellow Cordonistas are quite an illustrious bunch: they include Nicholas Hogg, Jonathan Wilson, Jon Hotten.) A link to all my posts there is available on my ‘Miscellaneous Writings‘ page. I have not thus far provided linksContinue reading “Writing In The Cordon”
Why Do Yankees Fans Venerate Derek Jeter?
In an interview with The Allrounder, my friend Amy Bass (a Red Sox fan!) takes on the following question: The Yankees’ longtime captain, Derek Jeter, is retiring this season and has been the object of widespread veneration throughout the league. Do Red Sox fans share in this respect of Jeter? and answers, in part, thus:Continue reading “Why Do Yankees Fans Venerate Derek Jeter?”
The Post-Running Glow, And Watching Batting Practice
On Tuesday morning last, I awoke at 5:45 AM, drank coffee, changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, laced up my running shoes and went for my now-regular twice-a-week 3.4 mile-loop of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. (I accompany an old friend, a far more serious runner than me, on the days he does hisContinue reading “The Post-Running Glow, And Watching Batting Practice”
Samir Chopra 