FEATURES

Opinions galore on everything about the surrogate religion, that is sport.

ARNAV KHANNA | 23rd July 2021

THE FAN POV: WHY SANCHO TO UNITED FEELS LIKE A SAFE SPACE

Instead of saying “what could have been”, can we just appreciate Jack Wilshere? Arnav Khanna writes a feature on the former Arsenal midfielder, his highs, his lows and everything else.

ARNAV KHANNA | 19th July 2021

THE FAN POV: WHY SANCHO TO UNITED FEELS LIKE A SAFE SPACE

Our in-house Manchester United fan, Arnav Khanna pours his heart out on how the signing of Jadon Sancho makes him and every United fan feel.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND | 6th July 2021

WHY YOU NEED TO JUMP ON THE PEDRI HYPETRAIN

Pedri has been Euro 2020’s standout young player but is he the tournament’s outstanding player? Srinivas Sadhanand thinks he may well be and tells you why you need to jump on the Pedri hypetrain.

S. SOORAJ | 22nd June 2021

APPRECIATING DINESH KARTHIK: THE COMMENTATOR

Dinesh Karthik is a natural as a commentator and amongst everyone showering praise on DK behind the mic, S. Sooraj is another one.

SOORAJ SURESH | 13th June 2021

WHY R. ASHWIN IS AN ALL-TIME GREAT

Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted out controversially that Ravichandran Ashwin is not an all-time great. Sooraj Suresh proves why Ashwin is already an all-time great.

SOORAJ SURESH | 13th June 2021

WHAT IF THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP HAPPENED IN 2007?

With the World Test Championship final looming between India and New Zealand, Sooraj Suresh explores what things would be like if the WTC happened all the way back in 2007?

SOORAJ SURESH | 3rd June 2021

WHY KOHLI AND WILLIAMSON HAVE NEVER WON AN ICC TROPHY

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson have never won an ICC trophy as captains. The World Test Championship Final is the perfect opportunity to break the duck. Sooraj Suresh explores the reasons behind why the 2 best batsmen of the modern era have yet to crack the winning code as skippers.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND | 5th May 2021

CITY 2.0- MESMERIC AND MONSTROUS IN EQUAL MEASURE

Manchester City have reached their first ever Champions League final and Srinivas Sadhanand writes about the emergence of City 2.0- 50% mesmeric, 50% monstrous.

SAMRIDH SINHA | 3rd May 2021

A MANCHESTER UNITED FAN’S OPEN LETTER TO PAUL POGBA

Manchester United fan, Samridh Sinha writes an open letter right from the heart to Paul Pogba on why the Frenchman needs to stay at his beloved club.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND | 29th April 2021

MANCHESTER CITY- FROM BOTTLERS TO MENTALITY MONSTERS

Riyad Mahrez scored a magical free-kick as Manchester City beat PSG 1-2 in the Champions League semi-final. Srinivas Sadhanand rounds up Pep Guardiola’s men’s biggest night in Europe.

HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE | 23rd April 2021

THE FALL OF AN EMPIRE: LÖW’S GERMANY

Harshavardhan Ghadge writes a feature on the fall of an empire by putting Joachim Löw’s Germany under the microscope.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND | 20th April 2021

I COULDN’T ENJOY LIVERPOOL VS LEEDS. WHY? THE EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE

The European Super League has united football fans in fighting against it’s formation. And Srinivas Sadhanand isn’t any different, who writes an emotional feature on why it’s ruining football, starting with Liverpool vs Leeds last night.

KABIR ALI | 16th April 2021

RED BULL VS MERCEDES: IT’S A TITLE FIGHT, ALRIGHT!

Mercedes finally face tough competition from Red Bull in 2021, Kabir Ali takes a look at what makes Red Bull so competitive.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND | 15th April 2021

PHIL FODEN IS NO LONGER A WONDERKID, HE’S A SUPERSTAR

With 2 goals in the Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, Phil Foden showed the world he’s different class. And it’s time we call him a superstar.

AMOGH PANSE | 9th April 2021

A MATEO KOVACIC APPRECIATION PIECE

Mateo Kovacic is stunning to watch but does he get the credit he deserves? Our in-house Chelsea fan gives him all the love in the world with an ode to the man.

THE WRITERS ROOM | 26th March 2021

THE MTAG WRITERS PICK THEIR FAVORITE F1 TRACKS

As the F1 Bahrain GP 2021 starts today, the MTAG writers pick their favorite F1 tracks.

AMOGH PANSE| 23rd March 2021

A CHELSEA FAN’S TAKE ON WHY TUCHEL IS THE PERFECT APPOINTMENT

Thomas Tuchel hasn’t yet lost a game at Chelsea. But long term, is he the answer? An ardent Chelsea fan proves why he is.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND| 13th March 2021

RODRI’S REDEMPTION NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT

Rodri is way too underrated. Even though he has had a phenomenal season. Here’s making a case for Rodri’s redemption.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND| 16th February 2021

ABILITY VS AESTHETICS: FOOTBALL’S AGE-OLD DEBATE

If someone celebrates Grealish, why tear down Mount? Or loving Thiago and loathing Milner? In our latest feature, we break down football’s age-old debate between ability and aesthetics.

ATUL KUMAR MAURYA| 13th January 2021

MY LOVE FOR FAST BOWLING

Human beings having the ability to bowl balls at the speed of supercars and having the accuracy of snipers isn’t talked about enough. Our latest feature is a tribute to these superpowers and much more that make fast bowling a true craft.

JAI SINGH| 4th January 2021

STEVEN GERRARD: MY FOOTBALLING HERO

A lifelong Liverpool fan writes a tribute to Mr. Liverpool himself, Steven Gerrard. This one’s straight from the heart.

M.RAYYAN JEHANGIR RAJA | 3rd January 2020

UNPOPULAR OPINION: THERE’S POSITIVES TO THE KOEMAN REIGN

Koeman’s time at Barcelona has seen him get loads of stick. But he’s managed to bring some positives to the club as well. Here’s looking at the bright side.

HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE | 22nd December 2020

APPRECIATING TONI KROOS

Toni Kroos was, is and will always be elite. In a sport where time waits for no man, here’s appreciating a genius who always seems to have that extra second.

ADITYA GOKHALE | 26th November 2020

RANKING MY TOP 5 MAX VERSTAPPEN MOMENTS

Our very own No.1 Max Verstappen fan ranks his personal favorite top 5 moments from F1’s most charismatic driver. You don’t want to miss this.

KABIR ALI | 17th November 2020

LIVERPOOL 3.0- WHY KLOPP NEEDS TO EVOLVE OR SEE HIS EMPIRE DISSOLVE

With van Dijk being out for the entire season through injury, followed by Joe Gomez and the likes of Robertson, Trent and Henderson also picking up knocks, we analyze why it’s time for transform Liverpool once again to stay dominant.

CHENGAPPA CARIAPA | 30th October 2020

AN ARSENAL FAN’S HONEST TAKE ON ÖZIL

Name a more divisive footballer than Mesut Özil , we’ll wait. Till then, an Arsenal fan gives his honest take on the German, from his time at the club to what he thinks about M10 being left out of the Premier League squad and everything in between.

MAHADEVAN SANKAR | 27th October 2020

WHY I LOVE RB LEIPZIG

One of MTAG’s finest, Mahadevan Sankar is an ardent Man United fan. But he’s found a second love in RB Leipzig. Here’s the man himself on why he loves the club and follow them religiously.

HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE | 4th October 2020

IS AMERICA FOOTBALL’S NEXT SUPERPOWER?

From Pulisic and Reyna to McKennie and Dest, gone are the days when the American didn’t have a say in football. But is this golden generation ready to be the next superpower? Our feature assesses this and more.

ADITYA GOKHALE | 27th September 2020

A BARÇA FAN’S HONEST FAREWELL TO LUIS SUÁREZ

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Luis Suárez has left Barcelona for Atlético Madrid. How do you sum up everything the Uruguayan has done during his time at the Catalan club? Hint: You can’t. But our very own Barça fan does his best to give Luisito an honest farewell.

KABIR ALI | 20th September 2020

INSIDE F1’S ONLINE TAKEOVER GONE GLOBAL

F1 is adored across the plane but over the space of a couple of years, it’s popularity has seen a boom. A social media revolution, a Netflix docu-series and crucial moves after, the sport’s seen an online takeover, an aspect we look to explore.

RAVI RAJ | 16th September 2020

A SCATHING TAKE ON BCCI’S DEAFENING SILENCE ON RACISM

With Ishant Sharma’s clear racial discrimination towards Darren Sammy, here’s an opinion piece on BCCI’s deafening silence and how it’s high time they stop pushing sensitive and essential matters such as racism under the rug.

KUSHAGR DIXIT | 30th August 2020

THE ROYAL ROOTS OF INDIAN CRICKET

Cricket’s a religion in India but do we know the royal roots behind why it became a phenomenon? Here’s a history lesson for you with our newest feature.

HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE | 29th August 2020

CAN WE START CALLING IMMOBILE WORLD-CLASS?

Ciro Immobile went on to win the European Golden Shoe and yet people tiptoe around if the Italian’s world-class. We ponder these lingering doubts and hone in on why Immobile is indeed world-class.

ADITYA GOKHALE  | 27th August 2020

WHY DOES MESSI WANT TO LEAVE BARCELONA?

Messi is leaving Barcelona. Yes, it’s happening but what has driven the club legend to this point where the relationship is broken beyond repair? In our latest piece, we analyze why Messi is on his way out.

KABIR ALI | 14th August 2020

MO SALAH: A VICTIM OF HIS OWN SUCCESS?

Despite being world-class, week in and week out, does Mo Salah get the shine he deserves? We don’t think he does and here’s a brief breakdown on why exactly the Egyptian is a victim of his own success.

CHENGAPPA CARIAPA | 10th August 2020

THE STORIES OF FOOTBALL’S SUBURBAN SUPERSTARS

From the Ian Wrights to the Kylian Mbappé’s of the world, the suburbs have been home to the best players in the world who have honed their skills through a combination of grit, spirit and togetherness in tough environments where football acts as as a melting pot for the oppressed.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND | 28th July 2020

ADIOS DAVID SILVA: NUMBERS DON’T DO JUSTICE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S MOST UNIQUE GENIUS

Words don’t do justice to the legend of David Silva. But we tried our hand at it anyway to pay tribute to the Premier League’s most unique genius.

HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE | 21st July 2020

MADRID’S 34TH: A CASE STUDY IN DETERMINATION

Real Madrid’s 34th league title has been a story of determination and disproving your doubters, with the likes of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois leading the charge and proving that they’ve still got it and in abundance.

ATUL KUMAR MAURYA | 20th July 2020

AN HOMAGE TO THE FORGOTTEN HEROES FROM THE GREATEST ODI OF ALL TIME

Our latest feature pays homage to the forgotten heroes who made South Africa’s impossible run chase against Australia in 2006 possible in what is easily the greatest ODI of all time.

JAI SINGH | 30th June 2020

HOW KLOPP TURNED DOUBTERS INTO BELIEVERS

With Liverpool ending a 30-year wait to be crowned Premier League champions, we take a look at how Jürgen Klopp transformed not just a club, but a city to turn from doubters into believers on their road to redemption.

KUSHAGR DIXIT | 28th June 2020

THE JOURNEY OF THE TENNIS RACKET

We take you on a journey of the weapon wielded by the pros that has always had the power to separate the best from the rest- the tennis racket.

RAVI RAJ \ 22nd May 2020

MARK RAMPRAKASH AND THE DEMONS OF UNFULFILLED POTENTIAL

Mark Ramprakash looked like he was destined for greatness. What panned out was seeing a rising talent become a fallen fledgling, as we look back at a career with way more downs than ups.

MANISH SHARMA \ 23rd April 2020

THE Ellyse PERRY STORY- A LESSON IN PERSISTENCE

Pursuing both cricket and football, Elysse Perry has cemented herself as a sporting great. The Australian’s story exemplifies true grit and persistence, where she made the impossible possible.

MAX LOMBARDIA \ 19th April 2020

MATTEO GABBIA: MILAN’S UNCUT GEM

Matteo Gabbia has everything in his locker to be Milan’s defensive powerhouse for years. We break down what makes the 20-year old Italian one to keep an eye out for.

ATUL KUMAR MAURYA \ 18th April 2020

JULES BIANCHI- GONE TOO SOON

Remembering the late Jules Bianchi and how the first recruit of the Ferrari Driver Academy could’ve made it big had it not ended the way it did.

ADITYA GOKHALE \ 13th April 2020

THE VERSTAPPEN EFFECT- F1’S CHANGING OUTLOOK TOWARDS YOUNG DRIVERS

He has provided F1 with some of its most iconic moments of the turbo hybrid era, but when Red Bull took a punt on the young buck that is Max Verstappen, the Dutchman also changed the complexion of the sport, opening the floodgates for fresh blood to take the grid by storm.

TAPAN UNADKAT \ 20th March 2020

Studying The IPL Revolution That Changed Cricket Forever

There’s no hiding from the fact that the world is in a dark place at the moment. So, we’ve decided to take your mind off from things by diving into how the IPL has changed cricket forever.

MAX LOMBARDIA \ 11th March 2020

TOP OF THE LEAGUE, BUT THERE’S A LOT LEFT TO BE DESIRED: DECODING THE JUVE CONUNDRUM

Keeping the Juve faithful satisfied hasn’t been an easy task for Sarri as their thirst for success has been validated by the club with such an unmatched consistency over the years that their need for domination lies even above just winning matches.

SRINIVAS SADHANAND \ 13th February 2020

MISSION MAHREZ IS FINALLY IN FULL FLIGHT AND IT’S TIME TO SIT UP AND TAKE NOTICE

It’s high time Premier League fans let go of their nostalgia associated with the Mahrez of the 2015-16 campaign, donning a Leicester shirt and witness him thrive in the blue side of Manchester. Coming from Leicester City, it was never going to be smooth sailing for Mahrez to ease into arguably the most elite frontline in world football. He struggled in his debut campaign, but the Algerian continued to persevere and as things stand, Riyad Mahrez has a strong case to make for emerging as one of City’s best players this season.

ANIRUDH SOMAN \ 8th February 2020

THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF BEING A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER

Much like how footballers can become overnight global superstars, things can come crashing down at the same pace when things go south. Understanding that all that glitters is not gold is key as the mammoth bank balance, swanky cars and female attention also come with career-threatening injuries, constant scrutiny from pseudo-pundits on social media, unimaginable pressure and an incessant invasion of privacy which means there’s no hiding place for today’s footballers.

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ABHISHEK DASH \ 6th February 2020

Swimming With The Sharks: The Emiliano Buendía Story

The talent is abundant and the ceiling is sky-high for Emiliano Buendía who has taken the Premier League by storm this season. Blessed with bags of potential, majestic feet and graft, here’s a lowdown on the Argentine’s rise in the English top flight.
KABIR ALI \ 22nd January 2020

ARE YOUNG PLAYERS SET UP TO CRASH AND BURN IN FOOTBALL’S FINANCIALLY-FUELLED CLIMATE?

In today’s day and age where football is at the peak of its ‘results business’ tag, has there even been more pressure on young players to deliver and that too, right from the get-go? We answer this question by exploring why the weight of expectations may be too heavy to bear for football’s brightest prospects.
SRINIVAS SADHANAND \ 18th January 2020

FROM THE INDIAN STREETS TO THE PORTUGUESE FLOODLIGHTS: AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH S.C. ALBA’S SUNAI CHABBRA

Flying the Indian flag in Portugal for Serie C’s S.C. Alba, Sunai Chabbra has the world at his feet at 18 years of age. In More Than A Game’s exclusive interview with the teenage sensation, we talk everything from his love of football to the culture shift of playing in Portugal.
ANAAMAYA MISHRA \ 10th January 2020

Delving Into The Overlooked Transfer Approach Of Signing Players From Relegated Clubs

In an era where splashing the cash has become the norm, we assess the transfer-savvy strategy of signing players from relegated clubs, an approach that is often swept under the rug but has proven to be incredibly effective.
KUSHAGR DIXIT \ 14th December 2019

AN ODE TO THE BLACK CAPS- THE EMBODIMENT OF THE GENTLEMAN’S GAME?

What makes this current crop of New Zealanders is the fact that while they leave it all out on the pitch, there is a personal side to all of these seasoned pros that reveals itself to the fans and adds a certain narrative to each of their stories which makes for the Black Caps to be the embodiment of what is rightly referred to as the gentleman’s game.

HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE \ 7th December 2019

BALLON D’OR FÉMININ: AN EXERCISE IN PR??

Megan Rapinoe has been stealing headlines for all the right reasons. Her stances on inclusivity in football through aspects such as demanding equal pay for women as well as her openness about her sexual orientation have made her a role model. On the back of a World Cup winning campaign, Rapinoe has had a terrific year. However, playing just 6 matches for Reign FC this season, did the American deserve the ultimate individual accolade in women’s football? We tackle the question to seek answers about the puzzling decision.

ATUL KUMAR MAURYA \ 7th November 2019

LOOKING AT THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUSSIE QUICKS

Australia and deadly fast bowlers have always gone hand-in-hand and this fast and furious love affair shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Here are the next line of quicks to take not only Australian cricket, but the world by storm.
SRINIVAS SADHANAND \ 2nd November 2019

PAUL LAMBERT: THE FORGOTTEN LEADER OF THE BRIT ABROAD PACK

Best known for his time as Aston Villa manager, Paul Lambert was one of the first British players to play abroad, plying his trade for Borussia Dortmund and winning the Champions League in 1997. What’s more, he also pocketed a certain Zinedine Zidane. Here’s a flashback to the forgotten forefather of the ‘Brit Abroad’ movement.
HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE \ 1st November 2019

MERCEDES VS FERRARI: EASIER THAN EVER

Can the 6 years of the Merc domination be pounced upon by the Prancing Horses, with new regulations on the horizon?
ABHISHEK DASH \ 31st October 2019

THE SECOND COMING OF DUTCH DOMINANCE

Dutch football has seen a turn in its fortunes after a talent pool of the world’s most envied young talents have come to the fore and the brilliant Ronald Koeman has been the perfect man for taking this team to the next level.
ABHISHEK DASH \ 23rd October 2019

Is Potential The Most Prized Commodity In World Football?

Putting the most sought-after young talent and transfer prices reaching levels that have never seen before under the scanner, we analyze whether potential truly is the biggest asset in world football.
ATUL KUMAR MAURYA \ 18th October 2019

THE RED BULL DILEMMA- WAS CARLOS SAINZ THE ANSWER?

Could Carlos Sainz have been an answer to the current Red Bull second driver dilemma if they hadn’t released him in 2017?
KUSHAGR DIXIT \ 15th October 2019

Mayank Agarwal: Breaking Doors Down

Mayank Agarwal’s journey from prodigious talent to household name has been one full of ups and downs, but the mercurial opener knows when and how to step up and be counted when it matters most.
HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE \ 12th October 2019

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER: A FUβBALLGOTT AMONGST MEN

With Bastian Schweinsteiger bidding farewell to the beautiful game, we reminisce on a career full of thrills and spills of a man that ultimately came out on top and never stopped oozing class.
KRISHNA GOPAL \ 8th October 2019

DISSECTING FOOTBALL’S STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EQUAL PAY DILEMMA

With the likes of superstars such as Megan Rapinoe and Marta among many fighting the fight for equal pay for women’s football, raising a conversation on an issue that is certainly bigger than the beautiful game itself becomes more and more pertinent as time progresses and solutions continue to fail to emerge.
ATUL KUMAR MAURYA \ 6th October 2019

An Ode To The Prince Of Turin: Claudio Marchisio

Claudio Marchisio announced his retirement at the Juventus Stadium on Thursday and the footballing world will certainly take time to recover from the absence of a man that showed poise and finesse, both on and off the pitch from day 1. Here’s an ode to the midfield maestro.
ANIRUDH SOMAN \ 2nd October 2019

Why Diego Forlán’s Golden Ball Win In 2010 Is One Of The Best In World Cup History

Diego Forlán’s heroics in the 2010 World Cup were breathtaking. So much so that te Atleti legend won the Golden Ball. We’re here to make a case for the Uruguayan as one of the greatest winners of the accolade in history.
KUSHAGR DIXIT \ 23rd September 2019

ANGER AND ITS TRYSTS WITH CHAMPIONS

Can anger fuel a player in emerging victorious? Here’s a feature that delves into this very quality that has led to slating the champions that have always been hotheads.
ANANYA CHANDRA \ 16th September 2019

The Tennis Next Gen- A Case For Their Helplessness

With the undeniable dominance of tennis’ big 3, the question that begs to be answered is whether any player from the new gen can break the trio’s ascendancy.
NACHIKET DANDEKAR \ 16th September 2019

Could Bayern Munich’s Midfield Muscle Propel Them To Champions League Glory

A look into Bayern Munich’s stacked midfield and the role it could play to drive the German giants forward in their quest to reclaim the Champions League trophy.
KABIR ALI \ 16th September 2019

Out With The Old, In With The New: A Changing Of The Guard At Ferrari?

With Sebastian Vettel’s fall from grace, a dilemma presents itself on whether Charles Leclerc should take the No.1 spot at Ferrari.
HARSHAVARDHAN GHADGE \ 16th September 2019

Max Verstappen: Knocking On The Doors Of Stardom

Max Verstappen is on his way to becoming the next big thing in the world of F1. Will he be able to usurp Lewis Hamilton remains a question mark, however the youngster’s ceiling is limitless.
TAPAN UNADKAT \ 16th September 2019

Krishnappa Gowtham-Waiting On The Wings

Making waves in the IPL and the domestic circuit for his brilliant all-round abilities, Krishnappa Gowtham is a lethal customer on his day. Only time will tell if the Bangalore-born starlet can replicate his form for the Rajasthan Royals, if he ever gets the chance to don the nation’s colors.