Namit Kumar

Namit Kumar is a Senior Sports Correspondent with The Indian Express based in New Delhi. He writes on a wide range of disciplines, including tennis, football, cricket, and motorsports, attempting to analyse the finer details. He hates writing in the third person.

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More From Namit Kumar

Australia’s superiority is diluted just enough in these conditions to open the door slightly ajar for other teams to have an opportunity. (PTI Photo)

Beware of Australia: Beth Mooney powers series win over India ahead of Women’s World Cup

September 20, 2025 21:45 IST

Smriti Mandhana smashes second-fastest ODI hundred in 50 balls but India fall short of 413-run target

Sat, Sep 20, 2025

Yuki Bhambri’s resurgence: From thinking of giving up on tennis, to now planning how to crack doubles Grand Slam finals

September 19, 2025 22:12 IST

The 32-year-old's partnership with Michael Venus is based on the Kiwi's power – a prominent feature now on the doubles tour – and supported by Bhambri’s impressive baseline endurance.

Fri, Sep 19, 2025

‘Unbroken: The Unmukt Chand Story,’ which released in theatres on Friday,trades shock value for overt sentimentality. (File/X)

The missing element in the Unmukt Chand documentary: Why did the one-time prodigy fail to make it big

September 13, 2025 14:37 IST

Archival news footage, newspaper clippings from his early days, his writing of a book, the couples' life in the USA does not really give an insight into what went wrong for Unmukt Chand.

Sat, Sep 13, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, serves to Jiri Lehecka, of the Czech Republic, during the quarterfinal round of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo)

Carlos Alcaraz chisels his game fiercely to remove the erratic from the exquisite

September 08, 2025 19:58 IST

Between his first US Open crown in 2022 and now, the Spaniard has worked meticulously on his serve, and cut down on trying to look spectacular on every point

Mon, Sep 08, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz wins US Open title: With ruthless aggression, Spaniard outplays Jannik Sinner and returns to world No 1

September 08, 2025 04:15 IST

Carlos Alcaraz produced the most impressive Major victory of a career that has already seen celestial highs.

Mon, Sep 08, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka blends composure with power to beat Amanda Anisimova and defend US Open crown

September 07, 2025 04:33 IST

In a steady show of gutsy ball-striking and mental maturity in New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium late on Saturday, Sabalenka ensured she'd not finish 2025 without a Major.

Sun, Sep 07, 2025

Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz US Open Final

US Open final: Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz – thrill of deja-vu

September 06, 2025 18:03 IST

At stake for Sinner is the chance to equal Alcaraz’s Major haul of five titles. At stake for Alcaraz is to usurp the World No. 1 ranking that Sinner has held for more than 50 weeks.

Sun, Sep 07, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz crushes Novak Djokovic in straight sets to reach US Open final, delivering sobering reality in the process

September 06, 2025 04:25 IST

Djokovic enters this temporary uncertainty now; his performances certainly state that he is the third-best player in the world. But he is just that. And distinctly so.

Sat, Sep 06, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova US Open Women's Final

Aryna Sabalenka vs Amanda Anisimova: US Open final offers redemption of different kinds to two of the fiercest strikers in the game

September 05, 2025 21:20 IST

Anisimova is back in a final against after her 0-6, 0-6 loss at Wimbledon. Sabalenka, the best in the world currently, is yet to win a Major this year. The US Open final promises to be a power-packed showdown with a strong emotional core behind it.

Fri, Sep 05, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic US Open

2025 US Open: Novak Djokovic needs to raise his game and stay physically strong in semifinal against Carlos Alcaraz

September 04, 2025 20:41 IST

Serb needs to bring a surprise element to his game to overcome the improvements Spaniard has made in serve and backhand.

Fri, Sep 05, 2025

Novak Djokovic was goading the crowd that had been mercilessly trying to deter him. (AP Photo)

Novak Djokovic finds his ruthless best by beating Taylor Fritz and wild US Open crowd

September 03, 2025 19:03 IST

38-year-old Novak Djokovic reached his 53rd Grand Slam semifinal, 14th at the US Open alone, where he will face second seed Carlos Alcaraz.

Wed, Sep 03, 2025

Osaka booked her place in the US Open quarterfinals, a first appearance in the final eight of a Major since she won the Australian Open in 2021. (AP Photo)

Rejuvenated Naomi Osaka slays Coco Gauff at US Open with help from new coach

September 02, 2025 21:00 IST

Naomi Osaka had fallen in rankings, struggled to handle mental vulnerabilities, but has now bounced back with inputs from Iga Swiatek’s old coach

Tue, Sep 02, 2025

Fritz is still missing the one result that would charge his career, to get him to be considered an equal among the sport's elite. Facing an off-colour Djokovic in front of an expectant, raucous home crowd in New York may well be the match that lights that spark. (AP Photo)

US Open 2025: Quarterfinal clash vs shaky Novak Djokovic perfect chance for home hero Taylor Fritz to arrive on big stage

September 01, 2025 20:42 IST

Fritz may be a top 5 player and last year's runner-up, but beating the greatest-ever on the biggest stage may spur confidence for American to break into the sport's elite

Tue, Sep 02, 2025

Naomi Osaka vs Coco Gauff: Six years after their emotional US Open clash, two fan favourites renew a rivalry that was not meant to be

August 31, 2025 20:47 IST

“Can someone come to the match and cheer for me?” Osaka quipped. "It's tough playing an American here but I hope you guys have adopted me. I kind of see her as a little sister, so it's cool to be playing her here.”

Sun, Aug 31, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, returns a shot to Luciano Darderi, of Italy, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo)

With better serve, reworked backhand and ruthless attitude Carlos Alcaraz avoids season-end blues

August 30, 2025 21:38 IST

Carlos Alcaraz has won nine successive sets, dropping just 21 games and losing his serve only once

Sat, Aug 30, 2025

Novak Djokovic pretends to play the violin after defeating Zachary Svajda during the second round of the US Open tennis championships in New York. (AP Photo)

US Open tennis: Despite progress to round 3, Novak Djokovic nowhere near best in continuing quest of 25th Grand Slam titleSubscriber Only

August 28, 2025 20:13 IST

Serb has made the semifinals of all three Majors this year but has come up short against the dominant young generation as he struggles to come to terms with an ageing body and fall in motivation

Thu, Aug 28, 2025

For a player of her quality, Coco Gauff falters on the singular controllable of the sport -- the serve -- a phenomenal amount. (AP)

US Open 2025: Coco Gauff’s new-look serve is still throwing up familiar old problemsSubscriber Only

August 27, 2025 19:10 IST

Since letting go of Brad Gilbert as coach, she tried Matt Daly for his technical input but a week before the tournament in New York, she hired biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan.

Thu, Aug 28, 2025

Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, gestures during a match against Benjamin Bonzi, of France, in the first-round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (Photo: AP)

US Open 2025: After another first-round defeat, and another meltdown, Daniil Medvedev risks becoming an afterthought in Sinner-Alcaraz eraSubscriber Only

August 25, 2025 19:45 IST

Russian comes back from two sets down but loses to Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in a match where a photographer walked on court on a match point.

Tue, Aug 26, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz Jannik sinner career Grand slam

Why Jannik Sinner has an edge over Carlos Alcaraz at the US OpenSubscriber Only

August 23, 2025 19:52 IST

The predictable bounce on hardcourts will aid Jannik Sinner's dominant baseline game; Carlos Alcaraz has a tougher draw and his serve, return and shot selection are not at its best on hard courts.

Sun, Aug 24, 2025

For Iga Swiatek, a bad year is turning into a memorable oneSubscriber Only

August 22, 2025 21:07 IST

Iga Swiatek's victory at Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Open make her the in-form women's singles player at the US Open, a turnaround of fortunes for a player who hadn't won a title in over a year.

Sat, Aug 23, 2025

Venus Williamsdid not just send a bunch of records tumbling but also confirmed that mere participation was no motivator for the veteran former World No. 1. (AP)

‘It’s not easy, it won’t be easy’: 45-year-old Venus Williams becomes second-oldest player in history to win a tour-level matchSubscriber Only

July 23, 2025 13:11 IST

Until last week, the WTA Tour had listed her as an “inactive player”. Last year, she had surgery to remove uterine fibroids, but has now stunned the tennis world with her comeback win.

Wed, Jul 23, 2025

There will be wild anticipation for another chapter of the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry in the future. But what may be more intriguing is how much of each other’s game they can imbibe. (AP Photo)

Wimbledon 2025: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have something to learn from each otherSubscriber Only

July 14, 2025 22:12 IST

If these two phenomenally talented young players are to live up to the expectations that are harboured of them both can stand to learn a few lessons from the other

Tue, Jul 15, 2025

Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz to become first Italian to win Wimbledon singles title. (AP)

Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz: Wimbledon 2025 final shows men’s tennis is ready for its next big rivalrySubscriber Only

July 14, 2025 16:16 IST

The two are a clash in contrasting approaches. Sinner is methodical, disciplined and steady under pressure, while Alcaraz is much more up and down, but his variety, spontaneity and sparkle make his highs higher than anyone else on the tour

Mon, Jul 14, 2025

Jannik Sinner took control in the second set and never really let go, with unforced errors not exactly helping Alcaraz’s cause either. (AP Photo)

Wimbledon 2025: Jannik Sinner finds vindication after French Open heartbreak with biggest win of his careerSubscriber Only

July 13, 2025 23:54 IST

World No.1 Jannik Sinner becomes first Italian to win the singles title at Wimbledon after defeating two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in four sets

Mon, Jul 14, 2025

Iga Swiatek is the only active player to have now won Majors on each of the three tennis surfaces, making her only the eighth player to achieve the feat, and at 24, the youngest since Serena Williams to do so. (AP Photo)

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek silences doubters, establishes herself as the best of her generationSubscriber Only

July 13, 2025 20:37 IST

In the press conference, Iga Swiatek hit out at those who doubted her. “For the past months, how the media sometimes described me – and I got to say, unfortunately, the Polish media – how they treated me and my team, it wasn’t really pleasant,” she said.

Mon, Jul 14, 2025