‘…The problem is that the institutions which should control politicians and prevent them from running away with everything are not sufficiently strong. And the voice of the people is not sufficiently heard, because politicians get away with so much.’ On India now, and then.

‘I have vivid memories of Harbhajan’s hat-trick, primarily because I was one of his three scalps! It was brilliant drama, and provided the first hint of magic in what was to become one of the games most iconic contests!’ Memories of the 2001 Eden Test from an Australian icon.

‘…The belief in the dressing-room, and the support Rahul and I got from our colleagues during our long partnership, is indescribable. It was as if it wasn’t just Rahul and me in the middle; our teammates were with us, the wonderful Eden crowd was with us.’ The 2001 Kolkata Test that transformed a fantastic cricketer into a national icon.

‘The Australia team that was scheduled to tour India in 2001 had taken on and decimated the best in the world. Having won 15 Test matches in a row, they were coming to India to conquer what captain Steve Waugh had labelled as the team’s final frontier.’ A blow-by-blow account of the historic 2001 Eden Test.

‘…I reached about 15 minutes late, somehow managed to write a half-decent answer and raced back to set. Needless to say, the car rides to and fro were pregnant with tension and only the thought of maintaining continuity kept me from biting off all my fingernails.’ Confessions of a student/actor.

‘This temple is associated with an old volcano and a valley. All associated with a goddess. This is a Shaktipeeth. A Shaktipeeth is the place where a part of the goddess Sati’s body tore apart and fell.’ Of a Hindu shrine in the deserts of Baluchistan.

‘… The presence of an onlooker, however silent and unobtrusive, turns the riyaaz session into a performance, albeit one that is conducted in the artiste’s home and without the formality associated with the concert proscenium.’ The changing trend of ‘riyaaz’.

‘It does sound very paradoxical, but there is a danger going forward that Manchester City’s ambition to win four trophies depends on how much competition they have got – and the main continued competition would be in the Premier League.’ Why a loss could be healthy for Manchester City.

‘Once when Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi asked Manto how he understood women so insightfully, he replied, “to understand a woman, you have to become one.” This is a rare statement for a man to make.’ On men not bound by the norms of society.

‘Mrs America is the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and the unanticipated resistance it faced in the United States in the 1970s.’ A review of the brilliant nine-part mini series.

‘Federer clearly was a player who could control the court and make his opponents sweat for their points. His longevity was not yet known as he sobbed away in stark contrast to a gutted but stoic Sampras.’ A paean to perhaps the Gracefullest of All Time.