It is agreed that sports is all about ups and downs, tight competitions, wins and losses but added to all that has to be the boundless excitement that it can generate stemming from inspiring performances. Indian sports, it must be said had the benefit of such moments not once but twice in recent times and certainly nothing would have gladdened a sports fan more. First it was our women power in cricket! Yes, the Under-19 squad came up with a sterling display in Malaysia to lift the T20 world championship crown for the second time in a row. Then came news from distant Wijk aan Zee, in Netherlands that the 19-year-old chess grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa had become the second Indian to win the prestigious Tata Steel Masters tournament amidst a galaxy of chess wizards from all over the world. The legendary Viswanathan Anand was the first Indian to win this event.

It is amazing how Indians have begun to increasingly demand attention on the sports arena with performances that matter. With the senior women having struggled and lost their way in a similar T20 world championship last year, not even reaching the final for the first time in eight years, it was the turn of the juniors to do the redeeming act and how! Winning is one thing but the way the Blue girls went about their task was a stunning display of thoroughness and complete dominance that........

© Mathrubhumi English