India on the ball

Former India cricket captain

On football,and the Cup

I am a huge football fan and love playing the game whenever there’s an opportunity. I played some exhibition football matches even when I was playing for India. I took part in a match organised for the relief of Cyclone Aila victims even last year.
On favourite team

It’s always been Brazil for their style of play. Football is really a beautiful game when they play. Argentina comes next because of my respect for Diego Maradona.
On favourite player

Maradona is the best of them all. In the current lot,Lionel Messi tops the list. Then there’s Wayne Rooney,who is going to the World Cup on the heels of a very successful season with Manchester United.
On cherished Cup moment

The 1986 World Cup final as Argentina,led by Diego Maradona,won the Cup. I became a huge Maradona fan after seeing his second goal against England in that tournament…. What a goal it was!
On football dreams

I wanted to be a footballer as a kid. I played for my school and college but cricket gradually took centrestage. I got a cricket bat as a present and suddenly the interest shifted to cricket.
On catching the Cup

Now that I have retired from international cricket,I will get a lot of time to watch the matches. I wish Brazil and Argentina play the final this time – Brazil is my favourite team and Maradona is Argentina’s coach – and may the best team win.

Pankaj Advani

On football,and the Cup

I’m passionate about football due to its pace and the sheer excitement that comes with it. While the World Cup is the ultimate tournament for football,the enthusiasm level in South Africa may not be the same as it is in Europe or South America.

On favourite team

Without doubt Germany — their game is like poetry. They play fast and are known for one-touch football. The energy they emit is beyond imagination.

On favourite player

Michael Ballack. He is a great opportunist with quick reflexes. Ballack’s absence will be felt but I will still pray for a German victory.

On cherished Cup moment

I can’t remember any boring moment in a World Cup. Yes,there will be an occasion or two when you feel upset because a team or a player is not performing up to expectations but it can happen to even the best. Ultimately,consistency is what I look for in a World Cup.

On football dreams

I never wanted to be a footballer. I’m happy with what I am doing and would like to do what I am good at.

On catching the Cup

I would have loved to be at the World Cup but I have a hectic schedule. I am off to Goa for the Asian Games camp and the selection trials. I will definitely follow the games on television

Abhinav Bindra

On football,and the Cup

I love watching football and the World Cup is the biggest stage for the world’s most popular game. Next to the Olympics,I feel the FIFA World Cup enjoys the most popularity around the world.

On favourite team

It’s very difficult to name one team that has my support but I feel Maradona has worked hard with the Argentinians and they are strong contenders this time.

On favourite player

My all time favourite footballer is Pelé.

On cherished Cup moment

There are several great moments in each World Cup but the most frustrationg moment for me was the spat between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi,for which he was sent off in the 2006 World Cup final. I was supporting France and was very confident that they would win.

On football dreams

I love my sport so much that I have never ever wished that I played any other sport. Yes,I did play a little bit of football in school but never very seriously.

On catching the Cup

Unfortunately,much as I would like to go and watch it,it is not possible as I am preparing for my own competitions. The situation was the same in 2006,when I became the world champion.

Suresh Raina

On football,and the Cup

I love football — it’s my favourite sport after cricket. I try to catch most of the interesting games but it’s tough to keep up but I’m really looking forward to the World Cup next month.

On favourite team

Brazil,for their thrilling style. Argentina are also one of my favourites. Both teams have former World Cup-winning captains as managers and their performance will definitely add fuel to the “great players don’t make good managers” debate.

On favourite player

Lionel Messi. His ball control is just brilliant. He can be devastating as a goal-scorer and as a creator of goals. I also admire the skills of Steven Gerrard,Wayne Rooney and Kaka.

On cherished Cup moment

Argentina’s 24-pass goal,finished by Cambiasso against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. The most frustrating would be Brazil’s defeat to France in the last World Cup after Roberto Carlos was caught ball-watching as Thierry Henry ghosted in behind him and scored.

On football dreams

I wouldn’t say I wish I was a footballer but I do admire the game. Players like Rooney,Messi,Torres,Ronaldinho make it look so natural and effortless that it’s hard not to wish you had the same skill and talent. We (Indian team) also play a bit of football in training.

On catching the Cup

I really would have loved to go and watch a few matches but unfortunately our cricket schedule is so packed that going to South Africa seems quite unlikely. I’ll have to settle for watching it on TV.

Rajpal Singh

On football,and the Cup

I follow football,though not regularly. But I am looking forward to watching some of the games this World Cup. When we are at home or in training,we sometimes watch football videos.

On favourite team

Brazil. They play like a unit and there is a lot of camaraderie on the field. They play with a lot of energy; I love the pace of their game.

On favourite player

Cristiano Ronaldo. He has tremendous talent and has been able to sustain a very high standard of football for more than eight years. This is commendable because footballers get injured so often at the highest level.

On cherished Cup moment

It has to be France winning in 1998. We were juniors at the time and France’s victory inspired us and was partly responsible for us winning the junior World Cup.

On football dreams

When I started I had access to both football and hockey academies but I chose hockey. We do play football at times during training.

on catching the cup

We are going to Pune for a camp so I will watch the matches on television at the hostel. I was playing in Azlan Shah tournament during the last World Cup but managed to catch the matches on TV.

Nasser Hussain

On football,and the Cup

I played a lot of football in school and was always passionate about the game. I guess everyone has played the game at some stage in his youth.

On favourite team

Last time it was Germany but this year,it’s Argentina. Argentinian teams always have a different style,flair and finesse. Also,Messi is such a successful footballer at the club level and it is about time he does it for his country as well. Spain,who have never won the World Cup,will be the underdogs.

On favourite players

Most Brazilians are known for their skills and ball-control… such as Ronaldinho. But Messi’s the man.

On cherished Cup moment

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ moment because you’d never see anything like it again. As an edition,the last World Cup would have to be my favourite.

On football dreams

I have never wished I was a footballer. When I played it in school,I fancied the sport but never after having started playing rugby.

On catching the Cup

I was in Germany during the last World Cup,though I didn’t watch the matches in the stadium. I was in this small town called Kaiserlautern — I watched the Italy-USA game on a big screen. I’ll definitely follow it this time but in between training.

Gaganjeet Bhullar

On football,and the Cup

I am crazy about football and follow Manchester United and Liverpool — I used to wear their team jerseys. I will be at home for the next two-three weeks and I am excited about the World Cup.

On favourite team

Italy,the defending champions. I have been following them for almost a decade. They have a solid defence and once they score first it is extremely difficult for the opponents to find an equaliser.

On favourite player

I am inspired by the way Wayne Rooney plays and the way his career has panned out. I met him once,about three years ago,when I was playing in England. I also admire Michael Ballack.

On cherished Cup moment

Italy winning the last World Cup. I was playing in Asia and did not sleep on the night of the final,though I had a 7 am start the next day. Another favourite is Brazil’s win in 2002; I had a Ronaldo-type haircut at the time.

On football dreams

I played football in my school in Jalandhar. It helped me realise what playing a team sport was about. It helps me when I play a tournament like the Royal Trophy.

On catching the Cup

I am playing when the tournament is on but I will try to make a short trip to South Africa during the tournament.

Narain Karthikeyan

On football,and the Cup

I have never been much of a football fan till very recently. But now that I am racing for PSV Eindhoven in the Superleague Formula in Europe,I am becoming more and more interested in football. I also recently met Sunil Chhetri,who plays for Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in the United States.

On favourite team

I will support Holland as I’m driving for the Dutch Team PSV Eindhoven in Superleague Formula.

On favourite player

I admire Pele — he changed the face of football with his amazing talent,determination and personality.

On cherished Cup moment

I’ve never really been into football in the past,so I’ve never watched the matches.

On football dreams

The only kind of sportsman I ever wanted to be was a racing driver. No other sport holds the same magic for me like motorsports.

On catching the Cup

Between my racing commitments for Starbeast Motorsports in NASCAR and PSV Eindhoven in Superleague Formula,I have a very busy summer ahead. So I will not have the opportunity to visit South Africa for the World Cup matches. A pity,as I’m just about getting to understand and appreciate the sport.

Sania Mirza

On football,and the Cup

I like watching football,and since I got married we watch it a bit more because Shoaib (Malik) loves it too! I am really looking forward to this year’s event in South Africa.

On favourite team

I will support Brazil because they have a history of producing world-class players. The present bunch of players are also great.

On favourite player

I admire Zinedine Zidane,the French legend. His physical and mental toughness is tremendous.

On cherished Cup moment

The best World Cup for me was the 2002 edition. It was hosted by South Korea and Japan and Brazil won it beating Germany 2-0.

On football dreams

I have never played football at any level worth mentioning. I can’t see myself playing anything but tennis; watching football is good enough for me.

On catching the Cup

We were planning to go to South Africa but it isn’t possible now because of our schedule. We will be in England and I will catch the matches on television. In fact,I was in England even during the last World Cup.

Vijender Singh

On football,and the Cup

We play football,at times,as part of our practice routine. I watch football on television and keep track of what is happening. It is an exciting game.

On favourite team

Two,in fact — Brazil and France. France fought very hard last time and I admire their team for that. I grew up watching Brazil,so they remain a favourite.

On favourite player

Maradona is everyone’s favourite but this new lad,Lionel Messi,runs hard. We can all relate to young players and it’s the same for me.

On cherished Cup moment

France winning the ‘98 World Cup. Zinedine Zidane’s two goals in the final were simply superb.

On football dreams

I always wanted to be a boxer. We did play football on the streets of my village but it was for fun. If there was a football academy in Bhiwani then maybe I would’ve become a footballer.

On catching the Cup

We are going to England for a camp,followed by a tournament next month and I will follow the World Cup there. I watched the 2006 World Cup at the National Institute of Sports,Patiala,with my roommates.