Writer. Editor. Writing and covering tech with Akriti Rana at ABP, Indian Express, TechPP, 91Mobiles and Openvy. Book reader, writer, occasional story teller.
Nov 4 • 15 tweets • 6 min read
THREAD: THE MOST AMAZING COMEBACK IN CRICKET
Cricket has seen many amazing comebacks, ranging from returns from injury and being sacked. But npthing beats a retired player being spotted in a crowd and being asked to play! It happened. July 25, 1i986. Lord's. #Repost
England were playing New Zealand. Mike Gatting won the toss and England started steadily, with debutant Martyn Moxon getting 74 and David Gower a sparkling 62. But Hadlee got New Zealand back into the game with some late strikes. England finished the day at 248-5.
Oct 31 • 17 tweets • 7 min read
THREAD: GAVASKAR'S GREATEST HUNDRED
Arguably the best batsman of his era and the best Indian Test batsman ever, Sunil Gavaskar retired with more Test runs and hundreds than anyone else. But which of his 34 Test hundreds was his finest? Perhaps the one at Delhi. October 29, 1983.
He has made bigger scores, but on that day, Gavaskar changed the mindset of his team, and perhaps the entire nation. India had just been decimated by Malcom Marshall and the West Indies at Kanpur. Gavaskar had scored 0 and 7, and even had his bat knocked out of his hands!
Aug 27 • 12 tweets • 5 min read
THREAD: THE AMAZING DON BRADMAN - SOME LESSER KNOWN BUT STILL STAGGERING FACTS
It is the birthday of Don Bradman, perhaps the greatest cricketer ever. To mark it, I have tried to dig out some information that is lesser known, but is still unbelievable. Well, he WAS the Don!
Bradman mostly batted at number 3/4. But in his 80 Test innings, he came to the crease 16 times with Australia in trouble and the score below 10. His average in these 16 innings?
108.53.
Incidentally, the Don opened 9 times in first class cricket. His average?
104.50.
Typical!
Aug 9 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
THREAD: THE OLYMPICS' GREATEST FRIENDSHIP
As Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem remind us of the power of friendship, here's a look at the greatest friendship of the Olympics.
Two men who stood with each other. Even as their nations fought.
Luz Long. Jesse Owen
Friendships between rival athletes are common at the Olympic Games. Beneath the competition, there is mutual respect and even admiration. But of all the friendships forged in the Games, nothing comes close to the one between Luz Long of Germany and Jesse Owens of the US
Apr 17 • 15 tweets • 5 min read
THREAD: CRICKET'S MOST ADORABLE PRANK
When England toured the West Indies in 1981, the assistant manager of the team was Ken Barrington (seated, extreme right). A legendary batsman in his own right, Barrington was also extremely popular and a fount of help and knowledge.
He was also extremely good-natured and without any airs, ready to laugh at himself. This often made him the target of a number of good-natured pranks. And perhaps the greatest of these took place on this tour. Geoffrey Boycott in "In the Fast Lane" describes it thus:
Oct 24, 2023 • 9 tweets • 4 min read
MINI-THREAD: THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT PAID TO BISHAN SINGH BEDI
One can say a lot about Bishan Singh Bedi. He possessed the smoothest action ever. He was India’s highest wicket taker. He was probably one of the greatest spinners of all time.
But the best compliment to the man?
It comes from one of India’s finest writers and historians, Ramachandra Guha. An award winning author, he was part of member of the Committee of Administrators appointed by the Supreme Court of India to oversee reforms in the BCCI in 2017. And he summed up Bedi like no one did.
Aug 27, 2023 • 10 tweets • 5 min read
MINI-THREAD: THE BRAVEST SPEECH EVER?
History is packed with brave speeches by great men, from Mark Anthony to Martin Luther King.
Bit nothing beats Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt's speech on October 14, 1912.
After being shot, saving his assassin, and with a bullet in his chest.
Roosevelt, who has been US President from 1901-09, was campaigning for Presidency in Milwaukee, for the Progressive Party, also called The Bull Moose Party. As he waved to the crowd from his car, a shot rang out. Roosevelt collapsed, having been hit by John Schrank.
Aug 11, 2023 • 16 tweets • 7 min read
THREAD: WHEN INDIA SHOCKED GARY SOBERS, THANKS TO 'SARDEE MAN'
Imagine shocking a legendary player so much that he actually checks the rules?
Well, that's what India did to Sir Garry Sobers in 1971.
Thanks mainly to one man.
No, not Sunny Bhai.
Sardee Man.
Dilip Sardesai.
India came to the West Indies in 1971 with very little hope. They had never won a Test agains the Windies, and lost 10 of the last 13. Although short of bowlers, the West Indies were still expected to easily beat an Indian team with a new captain, Ajit Wadekar.
Aug 6, 2023 • 19 tweets • 10 min read
THREAD: REMEMBERING HIROSHIMA
On August 6, 1945, an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. It was the first time such a bomb was dropped on a human population. Some say it was done to end the World War. Some said it sent a signal to the USSR. This is what happened that day.
World War II was drawing to an end. Germany had surrendered. The Japanese were all but defeated, but fought on, refusing to surrender because of the US' insistence on 'unconditional surrender' which they saw as implying the removal of their emperor (he was considered a God).
Jul 24, 2023 • 11 tweets • 6 min read
THREAD: THE MOST POWERFUL BOMB EVER
There is renewed interest in atom bombs, thanks to "Oppenheimer." While the bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastating, the most powerful bomb ever was 1500 times more powerful than both of them together.
A hydrogen bomb.
The Tsar Bomba
Officially known as the RDS220, the Tsar Bomba (In Russian, "King of Bombs") was a thermonuclear aerial bomb, and is said to be the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created. It was so powerful that it could not even be tested at its full capacity, for fear of what would happen!
Jun 28, 2023 • 19 tweets • 9 min read
THREAD: MOHINDER AMARNATH’S MOST AMAZING COMEBACK
In Indian cricket, Mohinder Amarnath is known as the “comeback man.” He was dropped many times, written off many times. And he kept reappearing. But perhaps his most amazing comeback was on December 23, 1987.
Guwahati.
In any era, Mohinder was a dream one day player. A superb, steady batsman capable of shifting gears, a clever and canny medium pacer and a very safe fielder. He was one of the stars of the 1983 World Cup victory. And man of the match in the final against the West Indies.
Jun 11, 2023 • 20 tweets • 11 min read
THREAD: WHEN SUNNY STORMED THE OVAL
Indian cricket has seen some amazing feats of batting. And it needs one right now. So what better time to recall greatest innings ever played by an Indian batsman? It came at The Oval too.
September 3 and 4, 1979.
India's tour of England had been an unhappy one. The team had been beaten by minnows Sri Lanka in the World Cup, and lost the first Test against England heavily. Superb tons by Vengsarkar and Vishwanath saved it in the second Test after the team had been skittled out for 96!
Jun 3, 2023 • 12 tweets • 6 min read
THREAD: THE 'KEEPER WHO SAVED LIVES
Goalkeepers in football are known for their ability to save goals. One of them however, went beyond that. Well beyond that. On February 6, 1958, with the world burning around him, Harry Gregg became perhaps the greatest 'keeper of all time.
The Manchester United team, nicknamed the Busby Babes, were flying home after a European Cup match. The pilot had twice abandoned take off because of engine issues. There was some talk of staying overnight, but they decided to try one more time. It was a fatal decision.
Jun 1, 2023 • 13 tweets • 6 min read
THREAD: WHEN ONLY ONE PERSON CLAPPED AT THE MCG!
Cricket has often seen crowds cheering players and teams. But imagine just someone clapping for someone who failed, and failed badly!
Well, one person clapped for a 'duck.' In a packed stadium.
January 3, 1933. Melbourne.
This was the second Test of the (in)famous Bodyline series. England had won the first using leg theory that had shocked many as it seemed to target the batsman. Australian fans, however, pointed out that the great Bradman had not played the first Test. He would sort this out!
May 30, 2023 • 9 tweets • 5 min read
THREAD: THE DAY BOB WILLIS MADE ENGLAND BELIEVE!
Today is the birthday of Robert George Dylan 'Bob' Willis. One of the finest fast bowlers to grace the sport, he is best known for THAT spell of 8-43 to clinch THAT match at Headingley in 1981 after Botham had played THAT knock!
For me, however, the true essence of Willis came to the fore two years after that.
Again, it was at Headingley.
Again, England were defending a tiny total.
Again, Willis bowled with terrifying speed and skill, against all odds.
England vs New Zealand, Leeds, August 1, 1983
May 28, 2023 • 15 tweets • 8 min read
THREAD: WHEN A COLONEL DEFIED MARSHALL LAW AT KANPUR
Indian fans still have nightmares about Malcolm Marshall and Kanpur 1983.
Those terrifying spells.
THAT ball to Gavaskar.
That innings defeat.
Many forget the man who defied "Marshall Law" in that match.
The Colonel.
Revenge was in the air when West Indies toured India in 1983-84, after the 1983 World Cup defeat. Everyone expected the Windies to come hard at the new World champions, but India had a capable side with the likes of Kapil Dev, Gavaskar, Amarnath, Vengsarkar and others
May 27, 2023 • 21 tweets • 10 min read
THREAD: THE BRAVEST PERFORMANCE IN CRICKET?
Cricket has seen some heroic performances. Kumble bowled with a broken jaw, Marshall and Salim Malik batted and bowled with fractures...
But one player perhaps outdid them all. And against the best.
November 20-25, 1986
Karachi
West Indies had arrived in Pakistan for a three-Test series as overwhelming favourites. Although missing Holding and Garner, this was still a formidable side, with the likes of Greenidge, Haynes, Richardson, Gomes, Dijon, Marshall, Walsh and of course, skipper Viv Richards!
May 22, 2023 • 18 tweets • 8 min read
THREAD: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRAS, THE HERO OF 'VISHY'S MATCH'
Today is the birthday of one of the world's greatest (perhaps THE greatest) off-spinners, Erapalli Prasanna. Here's marking Pras' day than to remember his role in a match that is legendary for someone else's performance!
The West Indies were touring India in 1974-75. India were not expected to do well against what was a very strong team featuring the likes of Lloyd, Andy Roberts, Roy Fredericks, Kallicharan, Holder, Julien, Gibbs and two newbies called Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards.
May 20, 2023 • 24 tweets • 14 min read
THREAD: THE MOST EXPLOSIVE ODI KNOCK (AND PERHAPS THE GREATEST SIX EVER HIT!)
40 years ago, a No. 8 batsman stunned a massive crowd with an audacious display of batting. And hit the sport's greatest six.
And with a weird bat too.
February 13, 1983, MCG
The day of 'Excalibur'
Australia were playing a Hadlee-less New Zealand in the second of best of three WSC finals. The Aussies had won the first final easily, and seemed set to do so again when they stormed to a record 302-8 in their 50 overs. Steve Smith (another one!) got 117, and Graeme Wood 91!
May 14, 2023 • 24 tweets • 11 min read
THREAD: THE MOST AMAZING TEST DEBUT EVER?
A Test debut is special for a player.
Some rise to it.
Some crumble.
Some find themselves.
Some get lost.
One player did both!
He did not get a 100 or a five-fer but no one’s had a Test debut like him!
31 July, 1975, Lord’s.
England and Australia were contesting the Ashes. And England were being bruised and battered by the Aussie pace attack spearheaded by Lillee and Thomson. With many players stunned and shocked, new captain Tony Greig decided to gamble on a new player!
May 12, 2023 • 10 tweets • 6 min read
THREAD: 50 YEARS OF ZANJEER
Yesterday, May 11, marked 50 years of the release of Zanjeer. It pretty much changed the face of Hindi cinema, some would say it made Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) its face for a while.
Deewar was an action revenge film at a time when romance ruled. It was quite a gamble. Dharmendra is supposed to have been the initial choice but had scheduling issues. Director Prakash Mehra wanted Dev Anand as the hero but he rejected the role because he had no songs in it