Formula 1 - Felipe Massa's cruel mistress

The 2008 season was Felipe Massa’s coming of age – the year he finally delivered on his promise and the expectations which had been accompanying him ever since his move to Ferrari. It wasn't just the final race; in which Massa thought he was the champion as he took the chequered flag after a faultless weekend, only for Lewis Hamilton to overtake a creeping Timo Glock on the last corner of the race and snatch the Championship. It was the maturity shown by him, often conspicuous by its absence in the past, during the whole season which led experts and fans alike to laud Massa’s performances. 

Mixing consistency with speed, Massa would have been a deserving champion, and his coronation in his home nation of Brazil would surely have been a spectacle to endure. Alas, it wasn’t to be. 

Analysing FIFA's eligibility rules

Diego Costa chose to represent Spain - but not before appearing for Brazil twice.

Diego Costa's decision to turn out for La Roja and shun the Selecao's famed yellow jersey has put the spotlight back on the choices available to players in picking a national team to play for. But it is by no means an isolated incident – only the one with the highest profile.

This year’s World Cup is ripe with numerous such examples.

Why Wayne Rooney should not play in midfield for Manchester United

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (L) scores their second goal during the English Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Manchester United - and David Moyes - haven't exactly had a fruitful season. They lie in sixth place after 27 games - level on points with Everton in seventh, who have a game in hand. They were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, in front their own fans. They displayed the fighting spirit of the bygone Fergie era to score in the last minute of their Capital One Cup semifinal, only to surrender meekly in the penalty shootout, a dismal act witnessed again by the Old Trafford faithful.

They face Olympiakos in the knockout stages of the Champions League this week; a tie they will be expected to win. But, should they get through, it would not be remiss to claim that the bookies' odds would be stacked heavily against them when they come up against any of the European powerhouses in the quarter-finals.

Zonal Marking: It's not as evil as you think it is

Zonal marking at corners – defending pre-assigned zones, rather than sticking to a specific opponent – is generally ridiculed in British circles. Pundits and commentators claiming to be experts of the game latch on to zonal marking errors and are quick to blame the entire idea and system. By doing so, they flaunt their ignorance to the world; and in turn, instill a similar ignorance in the large proportion of football viewership which is exposed only to English football.

Goals from corners can, more often than not, be put down to individual mistakes. Both zonal and man marking demand very high – and sometimes, unrealistic – levels of concentration from defenders and keepers alike. Blaming the system and the tactics of the manager is a rather bull headed approach, employed by those who only choose to see what is in front of their eyes when a little analysis will often point the finger at the real issue.

Chicharito: Showing smartness on the pitch and off it

Javier Hernandez, on Sunday, re-tweeted (and later removed) a Carlos Vela interview in which he said that his compatriot would have to think about leaving United if first team opportunities continue to be slim. Vela claimed - and rightly so - that Hernandez is one of the best finishers in the Premier League and that a player of his quality deserves to play more games.

This in itself is hardly a revelation for United fans. The United faithful, and presumably the management as well, have long lauded Chicharito’s importance to the team and realized that his performances merit a more regular starting role. But there arises a feeling of helplessness when it comes to figuring out just how to make this possible.

Without malice towards Khushwant Singh

Khushwant Singh, the grand old daddy of Indian journalism, is still standing tall and writing big at the ripe old age of 98. In a country presided over by a Sikh gentleman, and another overseeing the working of the Planning Commission, Khushwant Singh is one of the most recognizable Sikh faces in not just India, but the world.

I recently finished reading a collection of Khushwant Singh's essays and profiles (Why I Supported the Emergency: Essays and Profiles), and my word, I was blown away. In a media world filled with hypocrites and writers with views as fickle as a hysterical female, Khushwant Singh serves a reminder that honest and unbiased writing still exists. 

With great power comes great power

I recently had the good fortune of being part of a VIP entourage and their visit to Varanasi for one Sunday. My aunt, a high ranking government official, was in town for a meeting and I had been invited to tag along with her a few of her colleagues, a senior IAS officer and an MP, no less, as they explored the wonderful city I've been living in for the past 3 years. 

It was an eye opening experience as I got to see first hand the power wielded by such officers based simply on their association with the central government of India. Coming from a family with a history of government service, anecdotes glorifying the privileged position enjoyed by many of these officers had always been commonplace for me. But to see (and enjoy!) such treatment first hand is a different matter altogether.