Can146;t win? Give it a try

Can't Win8217;8217;. I hear those two words everywhere in South Africa. Not from disheartened skippers or disillusioned coaches 8212; in ...

Can8217;t Win8217;8217;. I hear those two words everywhere in South Africa. Not from disheartened skippers or disillusioned coaches 8212; in the mind-game that is cricket there is little room for pessimists 8212; but away from the cricket field. Be it the implacable taxi-driver or the street-smart roadside vendor, the muttered 8216;8216;can8217;t win8217;8217; seems to cap every argument. On the other side of the conversation, I end up either feeling lost or mean, depending on the pathos of the tone.

Finally, I approach Sadiq Ali, the friendly Pakistani restaurateur who feeds an army of Indian journos every night. Over his special chicken biryani, he explains: 8216;8216;The other day, I was interviewing a young black for a job in the restaurant. When I mentioned the salary, his answer was, 8216;Can8217;t win8217;. I gathered that the amount I8217;d quoted was below his expectations, not the trump card he needs to overcome the odds in the game of life.8217;8217;

Proud of my newfound knowledge, I try it on the doorman 8212; more a door-boy, actually 8212; at the hotel: 8216;8216;Can you win with the salary you get for the job?8217;8217; The answer comes with a smile: 8216;8216;I can try.8217;8217;

The next morning, someone put the same question to the bunch of Namibian amateurs before the game against India. The answer, not surprisingly, was the same.

Bluer than blue

Support for the Men in Blue is a given in Durban, the city with the largest population of Indians outside India. Adding to the number of resident fans are the ones visiting the city for the India-England fixture. Among them is Hitesh Patel, a law student from Greater Manchester. On Wednesday, he will visit Kingsmead with two flags: the Tricolour and a blue-and-white flag. What to do: The NRI8217;s cricketing soul might beat for India, but his heart belongs to the English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More