Kavya Pillai covers global football, tennis, and the governance bodies that decide where the money and the tournaments flow. Her reporting keeps one eye on Indian players trying to break out and another on the federations that can either open or close the door.
Recent work
India's All-Rounder Evolution: Hardik vs Reddy Selection Shapes Cricket Future
India's cricket selection faces a pivotal all-rounder debate as established star Hardik Pandya competes with rising talent Nitish Kumar Reddy. This choice reflects broader questions about succession planning, format-specific requirements, and tactical evolution as India prepares for crucial upcoming series and World Cup preparations.
India Builds Commanding 209/2 Against Afghanistan in Historic Test Encounter
India reached 209/2 in their one-off Test match against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, demonstrating controlled aggression and tactical discipline. The commanding position reflects both India's batting strength at home and Afghanistan's continued development in Test cricket's most demanding format.
Gambhir Shapes Pant's Leadership Path as India's Cricket Succession Takes Form
Gautam Gambhir's strategic mentorship of Rishabh Pant highlights India's systematic approach to developing senior player leadership ahead of the Afghanistan series. The conversation reveals careful succession planning as India transitions from established stars to emerging leaders.
RCB's Destiny Moment Faces Ahmedabad Weather Drama as Yellow Alert Threatens Final
The IPL 2026 final between RCB and Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium faces weather disruption with yellow alerts issued. After 19 seasons without a title, RCB's breakthrough moment could be affected by rain, raising questions about tournament scheduling and venue selection during monsoon season.
India's Domestic Cricket Calendar Reshapes Talent Pipeline with T20 Youth Focus
India's domestic cricket season begins August 23 with a significant format change for U-23 tournaments moving to T20. This structural shift reflects BCCI's alignment with contemporary cricket preferences and creates new pathways for aggressive boundary-hitting players ahead of IPL auction cycles.
Delhi Police Probe into IPL Ticket Scandal Threatens Tournament Integrity
Delhi Police investigation into illegal IPL ticket sales involving DDCA officials at Arun Jaitley Stadium raises serious questions about venue security and tournament integrity. The probe into organized ticket touting could reshape IPL's distribution protocols.
Mumbai Indians' Dynasty Faces Reality Check as Playoff Dreams Collapse
Mumbai Indians' elimination from IPL 2026 playoffs marks a significant failure for cricket's most successful franchise. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene's frank admission that the team was 'not good enough' reflects the high standards expected of a five-time champion that now faces major strategic decisions.
Kohli vs Bumrah: IPL's Greatest Individual Battle Shapes Raipur Showdown
The RCB versus Mumbai Indians fixture in Raipur showcases the IPL's most compelling individual rivalry - Virat Kohli against Jasprit Bumrah - while testing both teams' adaptability to neutral venues. With MI described as struggling early in IPL 2026, this encounter could reshape playoff mathematics.