In 1950, #FIFAWorldCup returned after a 12 year hiatus during which time the world was ravaged by the bloodiest war ever. The 1950 edition was to be hosted by Brazil. An added attraction was the fact that England was participating for the first time ever (1) The pre-WWII 'Cups were boycotted by the Home Nations over a dispute with FIFA re: payment to amateur players. That though was in the past. England were here and were the team watch out for. They had won 23 and lost 4 of their last 30 internationals (2)

On #AirForceDay, let me tell a kutty story of a brave IAF pilot. On the evening of 6th Sep, 1965, PAF attacked Indian Air bases on the western theater. Due to late receipt of message, the attack didn't commence in the East till the next morning (start) The IAF meanwhile had planned retaliatory attacks the intervening night. PAF had only one squadron, no 14 in the East. Early morning of 7th Sep, the Hunters from Kalaikunda airbase flew out to take it out

Amritalal Basu had written "On arrival from Kailash Maa Durga took lunch at Abhay Charan Mitter's house, then went to Daw family house to put on jewelry & spent the evening watching dance performance at Sovabazar Rajbari" Such was the glamour and pomp of celebrating Durga Puja in the wealthy families of Calcutta during the 18th & 19th centuries that the legends live to this day

It is late 60s.KA Abbas is casting for his upcoming film Saat Hindustani. He has found most of his leads. Only casting the Muslim poet is left. Abbas wanted his leads to be physically differentiated (1) Requirement was now for a tall, thin, young man. One day someone gave him a photo of such a tall, thin man. Abbas liked it and asked for the guy to meet him in person. He'd assumed the wannabe actor was from Bombay (2)

It was 1969. Mrinal Shome had just completed the shooting of his film "Bhuvan Shome." He was looking for a good voice artist to do the narration of the film. Sen visited the house of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas to see if the latter could help him (1/n) At Abbas' house, as the 2 filmmakers were chatting, a tall, gangly young man also in the room spoke up "Mrinal da amake neben? Ami Bangla janey." Sen laughed & said "Tomar Bangla besh baje but tomar gola ta valo. Tomay diye amar kaj hobe." (2/n)

Several weeks back had a chat with @SaikiaArup da on difficulties of opening the batting in England in the 1950s for touring sides. Finally made some time to dig out the nos. Makes interesting reading (1/5) Pre-1952 i.e. before arrival of Fiery Fred, openers had a rather good time in England. It all changed from 1952 onwards with the Indians bearing the brunt first up. Only 3 openers from '52-'59 managed to average above 50 (above 35 in fact) (2/5)

Salim & Yousuf: I'm not sure of the year may have been 1973 or 74. An exhibition cricket match involving Hindi film stars was taking place in Bombay. The big names of tinsel town were all there but the man whom the crowds clamoured to see was one who had traveled from the greens to the screens. Salim Durani's film connections were well known. He'd recently started opposite Parveen Babi in a film called Charitra. So when the dashing Pathan arrived, the crowd went into a frenzy. When Durani walked out to bat,

5th July 1988. Old Trafford. Last day of the 3rd test between England & WI. The hosts are already down 0-1 and are 60/3 when the day begins, still needing 189 to make WI bat again. But there's hope for England in the weather forecast. Rain is predicted, lots of it and the hosts just need to hold on for a while. But Macko had other ideas. Having taken 2/19 in the 1st inns and also made 43*, he was clearly in high spirits. On the 4th day evening, Marshall had sent back England's big hopes Gooch (1) & Gatting (4).

7th April, 1962. Port of Spain, Trinidad. Day 4 of the 4th test between West Indies & India. It has been a forgettable tour. India have lost all 3 tests so far. And their captain, Nari Contractor, had his skull cracked by Charlie Griffith in a tour game. He spent weeks in hospital & never played test cricket again. But the bandwagon has rolled on. Once again, the hosts have dominated. India have been made to follow-on, and very few expected the hosts to bat again. But sometimes, when he has fallen deep, man

#OTD in 1988, Imran Khan's Pakistan did what no team had been able to do for a decade, defeating West Indies at home. WI were missing king Viv and Marshall. Greenidge was capt. They handed a debut to a very tall young fast bowler named Curtley Ambrose. The Pakistan skipper led from the front, taking 11/121 in the match including 7/80 in the 1st inns. A real star turn came from Javed Miandad Khan who made 114 in a 6 hours 45 mins marathon. Pakistan won comfortably by 9 wickets. Richards & Marshall returned for

65th birthday of the Colonel. I don't why, my top most memory of the man doesn't entail international cricket. It is the Ranji Trophy final of 1991 - the closest one ever in the history of the tournament. Bombay lost out by just 2 runs to Kapil's Haryana. Being an unabashed Kapil stan, I was naturally euphoric. But I have never been able to forget that image of a man, almost at the end of a legendary career, batting on one leg, almost at the coast but then the boat sinks. Playing with a runner, he is helpless