On Lagaan's 20th anniversary, we bring back Aamir Khan's views expressed in an exclusive interview to Rediff.com Contributor Haresh Pandya in February 2000.
'Doubtless he was the greatest opener of his era; and also one of the greatest in the history of cricket.'
'Indian cricket is in the safe hands of excitingly talented cricketers. No team can afford to underestimate India. If they do, it is to their peril.'
'They should be conserved, preserved, and valued highly.'
Nayan Mongia expresses his candid views on Haridk Pandya and also sheds light on Kohli's captaincy.
'That has always been my ambition -- to take the reader behind the scenes, to the places he was not allowed to visit, but which I had the privilege of entering.' Haresh Pandya remembers Ted Corbett, sports journalist extraordinaire, who passed into the ages on August 9.
The semi-final against Australia and if the Indian women are fortunate, Sunday's final will decide her place in history as a captain, though she has long secured her position in the Elysium of women's cricket, says Haresh Pandya.
Henry Blofeld, who charmed the cricket world for more than 40 years, bids farewell to the microphone come September. Haresh Pandya salutes the Master.
'It shows his confidence in his own ability,' Geoff Boycott tells Haresh Pandya.
Arvind Pujara, who usually does not go to watch any Test in which his son Cheteshwar plays, says he is "very keen" to be at the SCA Stadium from Day One.
'I would have loved to see Dhoni play the first ever Test in Rajkot.' Fans from Saurashtra share their excitement with Haresh Pandya.
The two hotels have been turned into virtual fortresses with policemen and other security personnel outside and inside.
Five brothers playing first class cricket, including four appearing in Test matches as well, reads like a fairy tale. But it is true. Indeed, cricket historians and statisticians have never been tired of recounting how Hanif Mohammad, who passed into the ages on August 11, and his three brothers dominated Pakistan cricket in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Apart from Hanif, eldest Wazir Mohammad and younger ones Mushtaq Mohammad and Sadiq Mohammad represented Pakistan in the top division of cricket.
The Gujarat Lions-RCB game -- featuring Virat's magnificent century -- earned the highest amount.
The Gujarat Lions team members and supporting staff came wearing orange turbans to the reception.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and several Indian cricketers are expected to fly to Rajkot to attend the reception.
'Twenty20 cricket can be a lottery at times, but I think we'll definitely reach the semifinals.'
So India lost its first World Twenty20 game on Tuesday night. Maybe, we fielded the wrong team :) Haresh Pandya picks 11 India greats who never played the shortest format, but can take on any team in the World T20 championships.
There are some batsmen reputed, respected and feared for what they are: Destructive! They are the game-changers. It is not bats, but bludgeons that they wield.
Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja tells Haresh Pandya what attracted him to Reeva Solanki.