All stories by Vaibhav Raghunandan
Neeraj Chopra Sets His Eyes On Paris Gold
Rediff.com1 Jan 2024In 2022, he raced past Usain Bolt, 'the world's fastest man', to become the world's most written-about athlete. The attention has followed a stream of medals: Asian Games gold twice, an Olympic gold, and silver and gold at the World Athletics Championships.
Smriti Mandhana's Journey To 3.4 Crore
Rediff.com27 Feb 2023Smriti Mandhana isn't actually known to be the most prolific T20 player -- her career T20 International average of 27.32 is middling at best. There have been failures too, but her ability to analyse and assess them honestly is a rarity in modern sport.
Wasim Akram's Late Swing
Rediff.com16 Jan 2023Indians will forever remember Akram as the scary phenomenon with the soft smile, the man who rattled through the Indian batting order, but was rarely as hated as Waqar or Shoaib Akhtar, observes Vaibhav Raghunandan.
Women footballers up for goals, but lack support off-field
Rediff.com24 Jan 2022The view is that the attention on the national team is fleeting, incidental and dependent on the results they produce.
Paralympians Are Barely On India Inc's Radar
Rediff.com11 Sep 2021'Instead of making this a four-year phenomenon, when you look at us and get thrilled, do it more regularly.'
Women's hockey: Grit. Camaraderie. Family
Rediff.com12 Aug 2021For women's hockey in the country, this result may well turn out to be a watershed moment.
If India wants to win Gold in Paris...
Rediff.com10 Aug 2021'If we want to ensure this isn't a once-in-four-decade phenomenon, then we have to produce 1,800 players all the time, create infrastructure, so that we are constantly challenging at the top of the ladder.'
Olympics: #GirlsGetItDone
Rediff.com7 Aug 2021'Everyone wants to get involved when there is success.' 'But what about guaranteeing it?' 'Making sure girls have the opportunity to succeed all the time?'
Myth and Reality of Manipur is in Its Sport
Rediff.com7 Aug 2021Olympic Silver medalist Mirabai Chani's feat is a story of grit, dedication and desire, but it isn't unique. In Manipur, discovers Vaibhav Raghunandan.