Who is Boria Majumdar? The Scholar-Journalist Who Redefined Indian Sports Writing

In the world of Indian sports journalism, few names command as much attention as Boria Majumdar. He’s not just a journalist; he’s a historian, an author, and now an entrepreneur who has spent over two decades shaping how we understand cricket in India.

From writing Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography to facing a two-year BCCI ban, his journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. He’s been celebrated for his academic brilliance and criticized for his confrontational style. Yet through it all, he remains one of the most influential voices in Indian sports media.

Let’s dive deep into the life, career, controversies, and comeback of this fascinating figure.

Early Life and Family Background

Boria Majumdar was born on 8 March 1976 in Calcutta, now Kolkata, into an academically rich environment. His father, Dr. Prodosh Majumdar, and mother, Roopa Majumdar, raised him in a household where intellectual curiosity was encouraged.

From a young age, his fascination with sports and history intertwined, shaping his later career as both a journalist and historian. This unique combination of interests would eventually make him stand out in a crowded field.

Majumdar is married to Sharmistha Gooptu, a noted academic and co-editor of several scholarly works with him. The couple shares a strong intellectual bond, often collaborating on projects exploring the cultural and historical aspects of Indian sports. Their partnership reflects the meeting of two brilliant minds dedicated to understanding and documenting India’s sporting heritage.

Education and Academic Achievements

Boria Majumdar’s educational journey reflects a balance of academic excellence and passion for sports history. He completed his B.A. in History from Presidency College, University of Calcutta in 1997, followed by an M.A. in Modern History in 1999 from the same institution.

The Rhodes Scholarship

His academic career took a defining turn when he was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship (1999–2000) to pursue a DPhil in History at St John’s College, University of Oxford. This prestigious scholarship, awarded to exceptional students worldwide, recognized his potential as a scholar and historian.

His doctoral thesis on the Social History of Indian Cricket was later published as “Twenty-Two Yards to Freedom,” a book that became a landmark in sports literature. It wasn’t just a cricket book; it was a cultural commentary that explored how the sport reflected India’s social and political evolution.

Academic Affiliations

Majumdar’s academic accomplishments extend far beyond Oxford. He has been a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Central Lancashire, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at La Trobe University in Melbourne, and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chicago since 2003.

He has also been affiliated with De Montfort University, the University of Toronto, and the International Olympic Museum in Lausanne, where he was a research fellow in 2005. These global connections have given him a unique perspective on sports that few Indian journalists possess.

Career in Sports Journalism

Media Presence

Boria Majumdar is a respected media personality who has been associated with top sports networks such as Times Now, Ten Sports, ESPN, NDTV, and Headlines Today. Over the years, he has written for prominent publications like the Times of India, Outlook, Wisden, and Anandabazar Patrika.

His deep connections within the cricket world have given him access to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and several generations of Indian players. He’s known for his incisive interviews and ability to extract meaningful insights from cricketing greats.

Co-Authoring with a Legend

One of his most significant career achievements was co-writing “Playing It My Way,” the autobiography of Sachin Tendulkar. The book became a global bestseller and remains one of the most widely read sports books. It offered fans an unprecedented glimpse into the life and mind of India’s greatest cricketer.

Other Notable Works

In 2018, his second major work, “Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians: The On and Off the Field Story of Cricket in India and Beyond,” further cemented his reputation as an authority on Indian cricket culture.

His scholarly works include numerous monographs and edited collections such as “Lost Histories of Indian Cricket,” “The Illustrated History of Indian Cricket,” and “Cricketing Cultures in Conflict.” His writing explores cricket as more than just a sport—a reflection of India’s social, cultural, and political evolution.

Publications and Books

Boria Majumdar has authored and edited several acclaimed books that combine his academic depth with journalistic flair. His notable titles include:

Year	Title
2004	Twenty-Two Yards to Freedom: A Social History of Indian Cricket
2005	Lost Histories of Indian Cricket: Battles of the Pitch
2006	Goalless: The Story of a Unique Footballing Nation (with Kausik Bandyopadhyay)
2006	The Illustrated History of Indian Cricket
2007	Cricket and Beyond – Essays on a Sport at a Crossroads
2018	Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians

He also co-edited academic collections such as “Sport in South Asian Society,” “Revisiting 1857 – Myth, Memory, History,” and “Olympism: The Global Vision.”

RevSportz: The Sports-Tech Venture

After his temporary ban was lifted, Boria Majumdar turned his focus to entrepreneurship. In 2024, he launched RevSportz, an innovative “sports-tech” start-up backed by multiple corporations.

What is RevSportz?

RevSportz spans six verticals, including sports content creation, NFT memorabilia (in partnership with Dubai-based CricFlix), a digital cricket museum, and initiatives for para-sports and education (Sports EdTech and FinTech).

The Vision

According to Majumdar, “Sport is mainstream news.” Through RevSportz, he aims to “take sport beyond television” and create a global digital ecosystem for fans and athletes alike. The venture also includes Singapore-based strategist Prantik Mazumdar as a key advisor.

Today, over 50 journalists work under RevSportz, reflecting his influence extending beyond reporting into shaping the future of sports media in India.

The Boria Majumdar Controversy: The Wriddhiman Saha Case

What Happened?

In 2022, Boria Majumdar became embroiled in a major controversy that led to his two-year ban by the BCCI. The incident began when Wriddhiman Saha, the Indian wicket-keeper, shared a screenshot on Twitter showing messages from a journalist who allegedly tried to “coerce” him into an interview.

The BCCI Decision

The BCCI’s three-member committee, comprising Rajeev Shukla, Arun Singh Dhumal, and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, identified Majumdar as the journalist in question. The committee found his messages to be “intimidatory and threatening” and banned him from interviewing cricketers, attending matches, or accessing BCCI facilities for two years.

Majumdar’s Response

Despite his claim that Saha had “doctored the WhatsApp messages,” the BCCI held that Majumdar’s behavior “crossed the line of professionalism.” The Boria Majumdar ban was intended to set a precedent against coercive journalism in sports.

In later interviews and through his writings, Majumdar shared his version of the events, suggesting that his messages were misinterpreted and expressing hope that such incidents would pave the way for more respectful journalist-athlete relations.

Net Worth and Professional Influence

While Boria Majumdar’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed, his extensive work as a media personality, author, and founder of RevSportz suggests a successful and financially stable career. With over 50 journalists now working under RevSportz, his influence extends beyond reporting into shaping the future of sports media in India.

Social Media Presence

On X (formerly known as Twitter), where he is active under @BoriaMajumdar, he regularly shares insights, interviews, and sports analysis. Despite past controversies, his following remains substantial, with fans engaging in discussions around cricket, media ethics, and sports innovation.

His social media following stands at-

Platform	Followers
X (Twitter)	332.6K
Instagram	57.2K
LinkedIn	21K
Facebook	Not available
YouTube (RevSportz)	235K subscribers

FAQs

Who is Boria Majumdar?
Boria Majumdar is an Indian sports journalist, historian, and author known for his work on cricket and sports culture.

What is Boria Majumdar’s educational background?
Boria Majumdar completed his DPhil in History from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Why was Boria Majumdar banned by the BCCI?
Boria Majumdar was banned for allegedly sending coercive messages to cricketer Wriddhiman Saha.

What is Boria Majumdar’s latest book?
Boria Majumdar published “Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians,” exploring the culture and business of Indian cricket.

Who is Boria Majumdar’s wife?
Boria Majumdar is married to Sharmistha Gooptu, an academic and co-editor of several of his works.

What is RevSportz?
RevSportz is a sports-tech company founded by Boria Majumdar featuring digital content, NFTs, and sports innovation.

What are some of Boria Majumdar’s notable books?
His notable works include “Twenty-Two Yards to Freedom,” “Lost Histories of Indian Cricket,” “Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians,” and “Playing It My Way” (co-authored with Sachin Tendulkar).

What academic positions has Boria Majumdar held?
He has been a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Central Lancashire, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at La Trobe University, and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chicago.

Boria Majumdar’s journey is a testament to the power of intellectual curiosity and resilience. From his days as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford to becoming one of India’s most recognizable sports journalists, he has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged conventions.

His career has been marked by extraordinary highs—co-authoring Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography, writing landmark books on cricket history, and building a sports-tech venture that aims to transform how fans engage with sport. And it has also seen significant lows—a BCCI ban that threatened to derail his career.

Yet through it all, Majumdar has remained a figure of consequence. His ability to reinvent himself, whether through academic writing, journalism, or entrepreneurship, speaks to his adaptability and determination. His work, particularly through RevSportz, suggests he’s not done shaping the Indian sports media landscape.

Love him or criticize him, Boria Majumdar has left an indelible mark on how we understand and consume sports in India. His story reminds us that in the world of sports journalism, the most impactful voices are often the ones willing to ask tough questions, challenge the status quo, and keep reinventing themselves.

                                               

Relevant news