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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same...

Applause for Cricket, Silence for Badminton

Mumbai: When Lakshya Sen walked off the court after the final of the All England Badminton Championships, he carried with him the disappointment of another near miss. The Indian shuttler went down in straight games to Lin Chun-Yi, who created history by becoming the first player from Chinese Taipei to lift the prestigious title. But the story of Lakshya Sen’s defeat is not merely about badminton final. It is also about the contrasting way India celebrates its sporting heroes. Had the same narrative unfolded on a cricket field, the reaction would have been dramatically different. In cricket, even defeat often becomes a story of heroism. A hard-fought loss by the Indian team can dominate television debates, fill newspaper columns and trend across social media for days. A player who narrowly misses a milestone is still hailed for his fighting spirit. The nation rallies around its cricketers not only in victory but also in defeat. The narrative quickly shifts from the result to the effort -- the resilience shown, the fight put up, the promise of future triumph. This emotional investment is one of the reasons cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity in India. It has built a culture where players become household names and their performances, good or bad, become part of the national conversation. Badminton Fights Contrast that with what happens in sports like badminton. Reaching the final of the All England Championships is a monumental achievement. The tournament is widely considered badminton’s equivalent of Wimbledon in prestige and tradition. Only the very best players manage to reach its final stages, and doing it twice speaks volumes about Lakshya Sen’s ability and consistency. Yet the reaction in India remained largely subdued. There were congratulatory posts, some headlines acknowledging the effort and brief discussions among badminton enthusiasts. But the level of national engagement never quite matched the magnitude of the achievement. In a cricketing context, reaching such a stage would have triggered days of celebration and analysis. In badminton, it often becomes just another sports update. Long Wait India’s wait for an All England champion continues. The last Indian to win the title was Pullela Gopichand in 2001. Before him, Prakash Padukone had scripted history in 1980. These victories remain among the most significant milestones in Indian badminton. And yet, unlike cricketing triumphs that are frequently revisited and celebrated, such achievements rarely stay in the mainstream sporting conversation for long. Lakshya Sen’s journey to the final should ideally have been viewed as a continuation of that legacy, a reminder that India still possesses the talent to challenge the world’s best in badminton. Instead, it risks fading quickly from public memory. Visibility Gap The difference ultimately comes down to visibility and cultural investment. Cricket in India is not merely a sport; it is an ecosystem built over decades through media attention, sponsorship, and mass emotional attachment. Individual sports, on the other hand, often rely on momentary bursts of recognition, usually during Olympic years or when a medal is won. But consistent performers like Lakshya Sen rarely receive the sustained spotlight that their achievements deserve. This disparity can also influence the next generation. Young athletes are naturally drawn to sports where success brings recognition, financial stability and national fame. When one sport monopolises the spotlight, others struggle to build similar appeal. Beyond Result Lakshya Sen may have finished runner-up again, but his performance at the All England Championship is a reminder that India continues to produce world-class athletes in disciplines beyond cricket. The real issue is not that cricket receives immense attention -- it deserves the admiration it gets. The concern is that athletes from other sports often do not receive comparable appreciation for achievements that are equally significant in their own arenas. If India aspires to become a truly global sporting nation, its applause must grow broader. Sporting pride cannot remain confined to one field. Because somewhere on a badminton court, an athlete like Lakshya Sen is fighting just as hard for the country’s colours as any cricketer on a packed stadium pitch. The only difference is how loudly the nation chooses to cheer.

Kanhoji Angre: Protecting the Konkan from Foreign Invaders

Kanhoji Angre, a Maratha naval admiral, is vividly brought to life in Sohail Rekhy’s Angria, capturing his relentless battles, personal flaws, and unwavering dedication to defending the Konkan.

Kanhoji Angre

Angria is a historical saga based on the life of Kanhoji Angre—a formidable and patriotic Maratha naval admiral who defended the Konkan in the service of Sambhaji and his heirs. The author of this admirably written novel is Sohail Rekhy. In an engaging and vivacious way, Sohail Rekhy has brought out the struggle Angria undertook to defend the Konkan for the Marathas against the Mughals, the Siddis (Abyssinians), the Portuguese, and the British East India Company.


Often referred to as a “pirate” by the British, Kanhoji captured “Firangi” ships and obliged them to carry dastaks, which would permit them to ply in the waters over which he had established control. His main aim was to overpower the Siddis in Janjira Fort (something he was never able to accomplish) and to prevent genuine pirates—who were either Dutch or British (erstwhile employees of the Dutch or British East India Company)—from harassing Indian traders who sailed to transport their goods.


The author has incorporated humour (often earthy, especially when referring to the “Firangis”), suspense, historical facts, and lyrical, evocative language to describe nature, characters, and events. For example: “The omnipotent sun is silent in its oppressive stride across the firmament. Every trace of moisture has been sucked dry from the soil, and the liberated dust blows, crusting the darkened leaves. The black and grey rocks and the craggy patches of laterite reach feverish pitches of sweat. It warps the air, and twisting plumes of mirages swirl like dervishes over the surface of the Konkan.”


Sohail Rekhy begins the narrative with Angria’s childhood, his instruction at the Gurukul, the invaluable friends and enemies he makes there, his marriages (he had three wives), and the impressive and brave manner in which he establishes himself—first as the Surnabaut (vice admiral) and then as the Sarkhel (admiral) of the Konkan. Among the many forts under his power are Suvarnadurg, Kolaba, and Khanderi.


However, this novel is no hagiography. Kanhoji is portrayed as a deeply human individual, with a fast temper, a weakness for women, and ambition—although he is very conscious of the fact that he is working for the betterment and defence of the Maratha royalty. What is highlighted is his outstanding tenacity, bravery, and acumen, especially during naval battles, as well as his adept crisis handling, especially in those situations in which he has been let down by informants and traitors.


Also skilfully depicted is the power struggle between the various heirs of Sambhaji (Shivaji’s sons), especially after the death of Aurangzeb, when there was a power vacuum in the Mughal and Maratha thrones. Angria faces a crucial dilemma: which royal heir (all warring) does he support in his endeavour to consolidate power for the Marathas? He is sometimes treated shabbily by them.


This is an admirably written historical saga, absorbing and incisive, bringing to the fore the politics and struggles of the Konkan region. Kanhoji Angre plays a pivotal role here, valiantly defending his Desha against Firangis of all types. The author also portrays the sad waning of the Agria’s power ultimately, due to infighting between his sons.


(The author is an independent researcher based in Mumbai.)

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