Player in Focus
Player in Focus
Through this category, we force you to remove the conventional goggles and drive you to see a player in new light. Using basic reasoning skills and keen observations, we paint a player in a new portrait and articulate something which many fail to convey. Also included are some exciting new talents, old warhorses and other players.
Here are all the Player in Focus articles.
When a 23-year old Jason Holder was handed the reigns of West Indies Test Cricket team in 2015, the team had won just 12 out of 50 tests in the since 2010, of which 5 came against Bangladesh, 2 against Zimbabwe, 1 against England (which was ranked 5th at the time), 1 against Pakistan (which was ranked 6th at the time) and 3 against NewZealand (which was ranked 7th and 8th at the time).
In the sport of weightlifting, lifting the weight is the easy part. Holding it in the air for long is the most difficult part. Virat Kohli stands at similar crossroads of his career. Starting now, he has to keep one eye on the present and one eye on the future.
A batsman. A finisher. A wicket-keeper. A friend. A guide. A philosopher. A Reviewer. A Nets Bowler. M S Dhoni brings about with him a sense of rejuvenation. Yet, it is nothing new given his history of achieving what he sets out for. Read more to find out what this multi-talented man means to the Indian outfit.
If you ever want a good challenge in your life, take up the task of finding a more charming batsman than when Rohit Sharma is in full flow. Converting centuries into 150s and converting 150s into double centuries is become his habit now. Srilanka and Australia have been at the receiving end of his onslaught too many times now. And against Srilanka in the 1st ODI in Dharamsala, he showed how important he is to the India limited overs set up for the World Cup.
Not a typical collection of words to highlight his career. An attempt to peek into Dhoni’s brain to identify what goes right in his brain and makes him the player, the captain, the batsman and the person he is.
How many times have we seen a sportsperson being unable to handle the success and the pressure! However, that is not the case with Darren Sammy. The only wrong he did was speak for his mates and try to stand up against the wrong. With West Indies submerged in internal politics, Darren Sammy was disturbingly exiled by the board.
Determination doesn’t come easy. You can see that in Dale Steyn’s eyes. He is one of my favourite fast-bowlers of all time and truth be spoken, I’ve tried to copy his action many times. Where is he? Injuries have marred his recent attempts at comebacks but believe me, his determination is not lost a bit.
There is not a bitter site than seeing a Fast Bowler go unappreciated for so long. Don’t get me wrong, he is regarded highly among English cricketing circles, but the world has failed to acknowledge his genius. Why?
As expressive and aggressive as they come. As a personality, Virat Kohli is one character. But, as a batsman, he tends to translate all that into runs. What else do you want from a player? He is the man to lead India forward in the coming years.
He is not your regular joe. He is not seen in the limelight. He was a captain who was dropped like a hot potato. The reasons, you ask? Read more to find out.