Nisha Bhardwaj covers the Olympics and the business of Indian athletics. Her beat is the long arc from junior national meets to the Games: the coaching, funding, federations, and sporting-goods economy that decides whether Indian medal counts ever catch up to India's population share.
Recent work
India U-19s Post 253/3 Against Sri Lanka: The Pipeline Speaks
India Under-19s posted 253/3 against Sri Lanka Under-19s in a Youth ODI fixture, a total that carries weight well beyond the scoreboard. This kind of performance in junior cricket is the first public audition for players chasing IPL contracts and India A berths. The scoreline raises immediate questions about who anchored the innings and what that means for the next generation of Indian batting.
Sanju Samson's Omission and the Price of India's Generational Gamble
Sanjay Manjrekar's observation that Sanju Samson 'could've easily batted at 3' against England has reignited the perennial Indian cricket debate: when does backing youth stop being vision and start being waste? Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's inclusion signals a bold selection philosophy, but Samson's exclusion exposes the costs that rarely appear in the highlight reel. This piece examines what the decision reveals about India's selection architecture and the players who keep falling through its gaps.
Sai Sudharsan's 168 in Galle Makes the Selectors' Job Harder
Sai Sudharsan's 168 for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle has put him at the centre of national selection debates. Scoring big on a spin-friendly track overseas is the benchmark selectors demand, and Sudharsan has now cleared it emphatically. With Ruturaj Gaikwad retiring hurt on 13, the match also keeps the competition for India's batting slots sharply alive.
Harmanpreet's Bowlers Cannot Take Wickets — and Time Is Running Out
A review of India Women's recent performances ahead of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2026 cycle reveals a bowling unit that struggles to generate wickets in the middle overs, compounding batting depth concerns beyond the top four. With Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy era under scrutiny after successive semifinal exits, the BCCI's selection apparatus faces a narrowing window to fix structural problems that have followed this team from tournament to tournament.
Shah Rukh's Knights Meet the Ambani Machine on American Turf
The Los Angeles Knight Riders and MI New York clash in Major League Cricket is more than a franchise fixture — it is the Khan-versus-Ambani rivalry transplanted to American soil. With IPL ownership groups running both sides and the playoff picture tightening, this match distils everything MLC was built to accomplish: exporting Indian cricket's commercial architecture to a country still learning the game.
India's Women Seek T20 World Cup Glory After 50-Over Heartbreak
India's women's cricket team enters the T20 World Cup with high expectations after their painful 50-over World Cup final defeat to Australia. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and star opener Smriti Mandhana lead a balanced squad that must overcome their knockout stage struggles to claim their first ICC title.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Graceful Exit Marks End of India's Swing Era
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's statement about not pursuing an India comeback reflects the harsh reality facing even proven performers in India's current pace bowling depth. The 34-year-old's graceful acceptance marks the end of an era for one of India's most successful swing bowlers.
KKR's Playoff Chase Exposes Cricket's Mental Pressure Architecture
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane's measured response to playoff chances after defeating Delhi Capitals highlights how cricket's knockout format creates psychological pressure that extends beyond individual matches. The veteran's 'one game at a time' philosophy reflects broader questions about how tournament structures shape player mindset and performance.
New Zealand Cricket's Squad Rotation Exposes India's Selection Philosophy Gap
New Zealand's recall of Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke for upcoming Test tours demonstrates a systematic approach to player rotation that contrasts sharply with India's more rigid selection patterns. The inclusion of uncapped Dean Foxcroft in a jumbo squad reveals strategic thinking about long-term development.
Jamieson's Send-Off of 17-Year-Old Sooryavanshi Exposes Cricket's Youth Development Gap
Kyle Jamieson's controversial send-off of 17-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has drawn criticism from Gujarat captain Priyank Panchal, highlighting concerns about how cricket's senior professionals interact with emerging young talent in domestic and franchise cricket.
IPL's Rs 48,390 Crore Rights Deal Marks India's Sports Media Revolution
The 2023-2027 IPL media rights auction generated Rs 48,390 crore, with digital rights exceeding television for the first time. Disney Star secured TV rights for Rs 23,575 crore while Viacom18 won digital for Rs 23,758 crore, making this cricket's largest broadcast deal globally.