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The GSPN cricket podcast - Ep1 - a review of the opening weekend of the IPL
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Join your hosts Rohit and Bran for the GSPN cricket podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. Today's episode looks at the opening weekend of the IPL.
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Transcript
GSPN's Debut Cricket Podcast
00:00:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And welcome everyone to GSPN's first ever cricket podcast. um We're very excited to be here and um review what's actually been a very exciting first weekend of the IPL 2025. I've got with me Rohit Bran.
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So welcome Bran all the way from Down Under in Australia. Great to have you here.
00:00:21
B-Critical
Pleasure to be here, mate.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been a pretty big weekend hasn't it?
00:00:27
B-Critical
Yeah, I mean, what a... IPL doesn't fail to deliver. What a cracking start. um Look, it's it's had everything. Don't want to sound cliche, but yeah, it's had it all.
00:00:38
B-Critical
It's all happening, as i so as the old um as old Bill would say.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
you Yeah, it's a bit of a
Brendon McCullum's Iconic Innings
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
throwback, right? like ah I know you watched IPL right at the start, and I think it was Bangalore playing Calcutta, Bangalore, rather, playing Kolkata back in 2008 when McCollum went nuts.
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, yeah, it was pretty nice to see that sort of replay out a again. Slightly different result, but...
00:01:02
B-Critical
Well, I mean, that was a massive throwback. That game to this date, McCollum score is the second highest IPL score ever, I believe. That 153 not out, he held that record for a while until Gale broke it.
00:01:15
B-Critical
It was a crazy at the time, now that we think about it, because who else got a 150 in that era of P20 cricket?
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Put it this way.
00:01:23
B-Critical
um It was big for a one-day game at that stage.
00:01:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
If that didn't put Brendan McCollum on the map, I mean, can you remember what mccoll what we thought of McCollum pre-2008? We didn't think of him. He was like some random New Zealand wicketkeeper who could play a flashy innings here or there. He was like a poor man's Mark Boucher. That's how I remembered him. But, you know, it's crazy to think how he so its sort of turned out to be.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But
00:01:50
B-Critical
Well, I mean, everything happened for him after that. He's fastest ever ton, the fastest ever 150. I think he's got the fastest double century ever as well.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, nuts
00:01:59
B-Critical
um So that all happened kind of after. um Credit where he's due, mate.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's nuts.
00:02:03
B-Critical
He was a great international player. But yeah,
Calcutta vs Bangalore Match Analysis
00:02:05
B-Critical
you're right. That was kind of the start of it all for him.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But we do digress. I mean, going back into the game itself, it all started off well for calcutt for Calcutta. I mean, it still looked like 2008 when you saw Noreen come out and bat again.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And he played really well. So I think they were one for 107. after the 10th over so halfway through the innings you're like hang on this is gonna like this is exactly what we were all expecting like massive scores nothing in it for the bowlers but then to Pandya and Josh Hazelwood up front as well well amazing they restrict they were able to restrict them in the back half 174 so they only conceded of the last overs and um then yeah um
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bangalore chased it down with relative ease. Virat Kohli again, not out on 59. And yeah, it's an ominous sign, I think, for opposition bowlers. Sort of picking up where he left off in the Champions Trophy after looking out of sorts in Australia. I mean, different formats, for sure. But um yeah, like it's sort of good to see him come back. And what are your take?
00:03:15
B-Critical
I mean, yeah, you made a very good point. I mean, it was a fast start from Phil Salt. And, um you know, Coley is always going to get the attention and the credit, which he deserves in this case. But, yeah, that last 10 overs ah that they bowled to Colcada was what changed it all.
00:03:33
B-Critical
I mean, let's be honest as well. ah Hazel Wood was um clinical as usual, like kept it tight, took the wickets, set it up, um got the big man at the top, Quinton DeCock.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
front. Yeah.
00:03:44
B-Critical
And, um yeah, you mentioned Sunil Noreen, the IPL...
00:03:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just like in the World Cup in the 2023 in the semi.
00:03:52
B-Critical
Oh, absolutely. He is a happy hunting ground for him. Fast bowler, like fair dinkum.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Against...
00:03:59
B-Critical
The... Yeah, I mean, look, I love seeing Sunil Noreen there. don't know about you. Like, he's one of the originals. Like, i mean, who's left from IPL1? You've got... yeah mean, him and Coley in the same game. We saw...
00:04:11
B-Critical
Rohit Sharma, I forgot about him, and Donnie's the obvious one who just doesn't play any other cricket all year round now and just keeps coming back for this.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
look
00:04:20
B-Critical
Oh,
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not a bad summer gig, hey? Two months a year?
00:04:24
B-Critical
um mate, tell me about it and it's not no no sign of slowing down either.
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
thank but but But tell me something.
00:04:30
B-Critical
And, um yeah, coming in as captain of the tournament favourites as well this year.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to ask you, before you we'll go into the Mumbai game in a little bit, Mumbai channel game in a bit, but I want to ask you about Josh Hazelwood. I mean, we haven't seen him bowl since December. You know, right? And I know here in Australia, in australia we're quite concerned. i mean, there's a lot of talk about him potentially ending his career as Scott Boland went from strength to strength um immediately after that. So I guess it was really nice for the cricket world
High-Scoring Matches in IPL
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
to see Josh Hazelwood come back and do what he does best.
00:05:02
B-Critical
Yeah, I mean, it's it's it's one of those things as well. Like, what if he gets injured here, like with the World Test Championship Final coming up? Look, this is definitely, i mean, Scotty Boland would have obviously no issue with Hoff playing the IPL.
00:05:18
B-Critical
um Doesn't decrease his chances of playing Pest again.
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
that I hate a tame man. hate a tame man brand.
00:05:21
B-Critical
Of course, he's a team man. Of course, he is. But he'll be happy for his teammate earning, getting cashed up as well. But um look, to be honest with you, the picking three,
00:05:32
B-Critical
ah like fast bowlers for England, you have to pick three out of the four. Boland played last time. He's not amongst the, like, you know, Hazelwood, Stark and Cummins are the first three selected, not in that order, but, you know, ahead of Boland.
00:05:46
B-Critical
Boland comes in as an injury replacement, but given his performance and his form of late, he's,
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
For
00:05:52
B-Critical
and given the, you know, in and out nature of Hazelwood, like there's a strong, if if any, even if it's the slightest niggle, then, you know, the powers that be may say, you know, maybe sits this one out.
00:06:07
B-Critical
Scott Boland plays.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
sure.
00:06:09
B-Critical
He was the best bowler in the last World Cup, sorry, World Test Championship final as well.
00:06:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that but he can't follow the truth.
00:06:14
B-Critical
I didn't, didn't have the best ashes to follow that, but, um you know, looking at the,
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Interesting times ahead for the Aussie up but i so I guess, movie brands week obviously, we saw
00:06:22
B-Critical
but,
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um we saw Bengaluru take it out in the first game. With Kurnal Pandya, man of the match, Virat Kohli, not out at the end. um We then moved to Hyderabad to stay in South India. We we um yeah we see...
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sunrise's take on Rajasthan. And to be fair, they lived the game lived up to the hype. um Before the tournament, there was a lot of talk about will this IPO be the one that breaches maybe C300, T20 being breached. Now, we look back when we started watching cricket when we were young,
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
how big 300 seemed in a 50-over contest. So to think, to see how
Impact of Flat Pitches on IPL Games
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
insane the game has really gone on. um And what what was crazy was that Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, Travis Sheck, as they like to be called, i hit 45 of the first three overs. And when Abhishek got out against the run of play, you you thought, okay, I mean, it is it's going to be a big score here, but you didn't really think they could ah maintain that level of,
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um intensity. But yeah, Ishan, Kishan, fresh from being dropped from the national setup, um couldn't get a game at Mumbai. ah Came in and scored his first IP 100, 106 of 47. You know, gave me a lot of Josh English vibes and over the last couple of months. Just came in, looked like he belonged there, looked like he was playing on a Yeah, it looked like he was just made for that surface.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be fair, looked like every bathroom was.
00:08:02
B-Critical
Yeah, I mean, that that surface was set at all.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because...
00:08:05
B-Critical
Like, I can see the parallel to ah Josh Inglis, both whom are, of course, um you know, wicket keepers, but neither playing as wicket keepers in the respective formats in which they've succeeded as late.
00:08:17
B-Critical
Yeah, look, Ishan Kishan, I mean, you know, after getting dropped from your national team, shafted by your own old franchise, like, he just came and delivered, didn't he?
00:08:28
B-Critical
salt in the wound for Mumbai, you know, watching Ishan Tan up and then losing the next day.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:08:35
B-Critical
um So not, ah not the best ah start to the IPL for them, but yeah, look,
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
but you but But Brent, I have a question for you.
00:08:40
B-Critical
ah
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
have a question. tell me interesting like Like every year we tune into the IPL, we see crazy scores like this. Like last year, I think it was 250 was being breached. Now we're approaching 300. Now a pitch
Sunrisers Hyderabad's Lineup Assessment
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
can only be so flat, right? It's not like you can limit to how flat you can make a pitch.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I wanted to know, that what is it about? And then the bowlers on display here were bowlers like Jofra, Mohamed Shami and Pat Cummins, you know, like players who would make most first 11 test lineups.
00:09:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're seeing players, right? We're playing seeing players like Abhishek, great player, but he's still on the fringes of an Indian team.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you do things that we're just not seeing at the international level? I mean, do you have a re have any theories as to why that might be the case?
00:09:31
B-Critical
i Well, yes, pitches can only get so flat, but they aren't always so flat. So, I mean, I can't think of an entire and series, point to a T20 World Cup, for example, where the pitches were this flat game in, game out.
00:09:46
B-Critical
Do you know what I mean?
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you look at la who if you look at Lahore, where England and Australia chased 350, played 350, I mean, if I would even argue that the bowlers on display here were better than the bowls on display there.
00:09:47
B-Critical
Yeah.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, Joffre's obviously played both. And he had the worst, I mean, according Matthew Hayden, had the worst game any IPR bowlers had of all time. mean, i mean
00:10:07
B-Critical
mate, he had a shocker, he had an absolute shocker, and um yeah, you know, it's it's funny sometimes with Joffre, man, like you see him bowling a terrible ball, a fielder missing an opportunity or a half chance, and him throwing his head back like he's been so hard done by, it's like, come on, mate, you you know what I mean, your fielders can't do it all, you've got to put the balls in the right areas, and it's been a tendency with him right from when he played for the Hobart Hurricanes.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:10:37
B-Critical
um
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i mean, I personally don't want to judge players too harshly on a pitch where 286 plays 242.
00:10:37
B-Critical
And I'm not sure, like, from a, you know,
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Pat Cummins himself went for 15. and ever I guess it helps being the winning captain when you're running around, I'll get 286 before you even have to come out. um
00:10:57
B-Critical
Well, that is a great point.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think
00:10:58
B-Critical
That's a great point because I was thinking, is this the final nail in the coffin of, you know, Aitch's storied career? But then, you know, when Shammy and...
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's a bit dramatic, Brad. know you're not a big fan of his, but like, sure. But that
00:11:12
B-Critical
Yeah, but, you know, i mean, he's never... Let's be honest. He peaked in 2019. The World Cup and the Ashes that followed were his career highlights.
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
will be, you say that, but that will be most players' peak in their career, in history, right?
00:11:24
B-Critical
What, their first year?
00:11:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:11:25
B-Critical
Their first series in?
00:11:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
but first two monthss like the First two months, he but he's been he ah hitting the of egging Steve Smith at Lord. He's pinning him. And he's won a World Cup for his country after just qualifying a month before that.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think, I mean, you can't really beat that. It's a bit like Wazi Makarov.
00:11:43
B-Critical
Oh, he had the perfect start. He had the perfect start, but it was all start.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Mitchell Stark, despite having a wonderful career, hasn't really eclipsed 2015. So we can't... I mean, I don't think that's the point to make. I feel like it's...
00:11:56
B-Critical
Oh, well, let's say, let's say Minus had a perfect start around the same time, but he kept it going for a couple of years. Let's say
IPL's Influence on Cricket Careers
00:12:03
B-Critical
Smith didn't have the perfect start, but he came back and he improved.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... They...
00:12:06
B-Critical
Like a lot of players are consistent. Do you know what i mean? Like McGrath was good throughout.
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
they
00:12:12
B-Critical
What I'm saying is he peaked, but he hasn't had a, he's barely had a good year since then.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's barely played since as well, I would say.
00:12:19
B-Critical
you know what mean?
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say since 2021, that test in India.
00:12:22
B-Critical
But that's part of it. That's part of it. That's not, that's not a defense. That's, that's almost like a further criticism of him. One, he's barely played. And when he does, do you know what i mean? How good has he actually been?
00:12:34
B-Critical
Like, it's almost like the whole,
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
i hear I hear what you're saying. I hear what you're saying, Brent. I think it's a bit harsh.
00:12:38
B-Critical
but in fairness to him, I was saying, I was thinking that, but then, you know,
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think.
00:12:42
B-Critical
At the end of the day, Cummins and Shammy got smacked around on that pitch too. They didn't quite go for 20 and over. They went for 11 and 15 respectively. But, you know, they still got hit around a bit.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:12:54
B-Critical
His own teammate, you know, their strike bowler, ah Sunrise's strike bowler, my apologies, Rajasthan's strike bowler, Thieke Sharno, you know, also went for 13 and over.
00:13:04
B-Critical
So, you know, it was a high-scoring pitch.
00:13:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know,
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think what's really interesting is I really like the SRH lineup this year. I think, you know, with Travis Sheck and Ishan Kishan and Klassen, it's a pretty insane batting lineup.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But you also have a wonderful bowling lineup. You have Kamen, Zampa, Shami. I mean, one thing I will say about Cummins and Shami is they're undisputed legends of the test and longer form formats. Like even in one day, the last couple of years, Shami's really lifted his game.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think you it's fair to say that they haven't always been the best performers at T20 level, Cummins and Shami, which is, um kind of Kind of a little bit odd because of their prowess in the test game. And, you know, for any cricket fan, you probably assume that they would have the skills to do it. And it's probably just routine and practice.
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think that's going to prove to be a
Rajasthan Royals' Strategy and IPL Dynamics
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
potential issue for SRH?
00:14:06
B-Critical
I know I don't. And I also think that when SRH paid ridiculous money for Cummins last year, they took this fact that i'm going to bring up into consideration as well.
00:14:19
B-Critical
Cummins T20 bowling figures, T20 International, let's start with, um aren't as good as his test and one day figures, no doubt. But the reality is,
00:14:31
B-Critical
He doesn't play that format consistently. It's never been prioritized for Australian cricketers. So basically,
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah I agree. But I'm saying that
00:14:42
B-Critical
so when he does, and when you play an odd game here and an odd game there, I just don't think the preparation is the same. But I think deep down, the selectors know. Like Ellis, for example, is a better T20 record than Cummins does. But when it comes to T20 World Cups, Cummins gets selected, and he does all right.
00:14:59
B-Critical
But it's these random T20s.
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i look and look, he's one of the leading bowlers in last year's IPO, right? So i think i think it's one of the the add old adage, right? Like class is permanent. yeah know There's nothing about Cummins' skills and temperament to suggest that he wouldn't be good. at fly I agree with you. I think it's just a matter of um consistently playing a format. But I think that's why players who do succeed in all three formats yeah know are the very are the best of the best for a reason.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, and I guess going on to the Royals, I mean, aside from Joffre, who bowled the most expensive spell in IPL history, 76 or four overs, which is mind-boggling. But if you think about it another way,
00:15:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
if the opposition gets 300 or 280, you need to concede 56 of your four overs to be par. So in another way of looking at it, you only, went above, you know, 18 runs above par, which can happen.
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, um, yeah, look, I do think he needs, he had a pretty poor champions trophy. Um, so I think with the huge year that's coming ahead and, you know Rob Key's been talking about this for two years, you know, last year was meant to be Joffre's, you know, white ball comeback.
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this year was meant to be his red ball comeback. And, you know, in a way it's really sad because Joffre has to live up to the expectations that you alluded to before. He, um, set for himself right at the start.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, um you know...
00:16:23
B-Critical
Well, that's the craziest thing about it all. Like, he gets saved for certain games and series, and he doesn't deliver. Like, what was the test series he missed last year to save himself for the... when he was fit to save himself for the T20, the Champions Trophy?
00:16:43
B-Critical
Do you know what mean?
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I think Rob G mentioned before that that he was not going to play Test Day.
00:16:43
B-Critical
Didn't... Didn't he...
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's part the rehabilitation. um So, yeah.
00:16:51
B-Critical
Yeah, for sure. So he misses a test series, right? They lose a game in that series. Like he missed the whole series against Sri Lanka, right?
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:59
B-Critical
They lost a game in that series. Almost lost a series, mind you, right? In my opinion, Sri Lanka probably should have won that first game, right? And then he doesn't... Okay, fine, they didn't need him. They were confident they'd win that series.
00:17:14
B-Critical
But then he doesn't deliver in the Champions Trophy, the series he was saved for. Do you know what i mean?
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, like at the end of the day, he got paid for the attempt.
00:17:20
B-Critical
And then...
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, just because you can't really, ah at the end of the day, the England management are trying to do the best thing by Joffre's body, right?
00:17:32
B-Critical
But what's going to happen by...
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um
00:17:33
B-Critical
so are they getting... Is he going to be a shoo-in for the Ashes regardless of his form?
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think,
00:17:39
B-Critical
And then not deliver again then as well?
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I mean, I think like with anything, um there's a basic level of form that is needed to show that, okay, you're not completely lost it.
00:17:41
B-Critical
Like...
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I feel that people who are very close to Joffre would be able to make a call on that if he's not bowling well in the net. But I just think right off class at your peril.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
but um yeah But looking at Rajasthan, you know, one thing that they did do well is they kept up with the run rate such as somewhat. They lost there you got 240. And you know in a long tournament like IPL, their run rate plays a huge factor. So, you know, I don't know how Cummins would feel personally. You know, having – I mean, very happy with the win, no doubt.
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm sure he must be a little bit concerned by his performance. And it just can't – certainly can't keep going on because we have seen in the past Then I'm not saying that Cummins is under any pressure at the moment, but we've seen a play like Ponting and Maxwell in the past.
00:18:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
If
Mumbai vs Chennai Match Recap
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
they haven't performed, they hey um yeah get dropped in a pretty cutthroat environment.
00:18:45
B-Critical
Well, at the end of the day, they won by almost 50 runs. Do you know what I mean? So, you know, 42 runs.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:52
B-Critical
he What happens is, so he's shown at an interesting interview after the game and he just really focused on, ah like one of the first things he said was, talked about was Cummins captains and basically told everyone go out and play with all the freedom.
00:19:09
B-Critical
um
00:19:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:10
B-Critical
I think is that message was delivered particularly to the middle order once Head Abishek had made a great start and didn't abish it wasn't Abishek spewing when he got out the way he threw his head back he knew how flat the wicked it was how well he was hitting but um but
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:19:28
B-Critical
Yeah, with Ishan really focused on, um you know, um giving the batsman license.
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:33
B-Critical
I think that's how he put it. um And then they all did, like, you know, Nitish Kumar only faced 15 balls but contributed 30. I mean, that was coming in at four. That would have been considered a good handy knock, you know, if you scored 30 off 20, you know, 10 years ago batting it at six. But, you know, he comes in and does that at four. And that's fine that he gets out because, you know, classes to follow.
00:19:57
B-Critical
um So, yeah, look, it was a it was well executed and it was just such a road.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly.
00:20:03
B-Critical
Like, Joffre got smashed. um
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
me
00:20:05
B-Critical
You know, Cummins himself got smashed. Shami got smashed. Everyone went for runs.
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zampa. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:20:11
B-Critical
Zampard went over as well.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but
00:20:13
B-Critical
So, yeah, given that, I don't think he'd be too concerned.
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:16
B-Critical
I think the confidence that Batsman would take, um you know, into the next game, even if it's not as flat, like, this is one of those things where time will tell because, um i mean, it's such a cliche thing to say and it's such a cop out in a way because, you know, we're not really giving any insight.
00:20:31
B-Critical
But the next game basically will tell, like, when they play on an average pitch,
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i mean, Cummins is always a notorious slow starter. He didn't bowl too well in the World Test Championship last year, but did quite well in the Ashes. And then similarly, a Test summer, didn't play well in Perth and then came well came good after that.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And moving on to the other game that's just been played, the last game, which which have been between Mumbai and Chennai at Chennai. And this is like the Man U versus Arsenal sort of fixture within IPL.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
The crowd got what they wanted. They saw Dhoni at the end ah out there who were doing runs. He didn't score a run, but he was out there and he gave the Chennai faithful something to cheer about.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It was an interesting game where we saw Noor Ahmed, the um Afghanistani sensation, spin a web around the Mumbai lineup.
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, for those for those familiar with Noor Ahmed, he looks more like an Italian midfielder than a subcontinental spinner.
00:21:32
B-Critical
Mate, he's a pretty boy, isn't he?
00:21:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hey boy, yeah absolutely. But he bowled extremely well in the Champions Trophy, I thought. um Not so much against Australia, but he he did look quite good there.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, I guess it's nice to see another Afghan sensation who actually looks 18 and, you know, bowling quite well. But um yeah, I thought that Mumbai just never really got going. Yeah.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, to be honest, Ratchin again, um following up on his man of the tournament performance in the Champions Trophy, um anchoring the chase.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
When I say anchoring, he still hit at 140. um But yeah, it's amazing to see Ratchin continuing to perform on the big stage.
00:22:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Time after time, format after format. It doesn't matter the format. It can be a test against India in India. It can be in a World Cup.
00:22:30
B-Critical
Well, this is what I mean, man. This is what I mean by a good start. Like, he's, this has been, he's not like two series, like, for like two months, like Joffre had in 2019. And don't mean up on crapping on Joffre, but like Ratchin.
00:22:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure you do.
00:22:45
B-Critical
No, but this is what, he's at this he's had a great start to his career, you'd say. Not one or two good series. He a great, his breakout series was obviously the one-day World Cup in 2023. You know what mean? It was almost an experiment sending him in at three. He came in as predominantly a spinner.
00:23:02
B-Critical
um Tons up.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:03
B-Critical
And then, you know, the Champions Trophy that's just been as well was probably the highlight and everything in between. He's done it in tests. He's done it in one days.
Delhi vs Lucknow Match Preview
00:23:11
B-Critical
And, yeah, he did in the IPL last year and now he's doing it again.
00:23:15
B-Critical
um And, you know, Chennai kind of had this thing going last year where they picked a few Kiwis in their team um under Fleming. So they had Ravindra, they had Mitchell as well, I believe.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:29
B-Critical
And did they also have, yes, Antner as well.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
it now. Say it now. Never
00:23:34
B-Critical
um This time it's, you know, he's the one that's left.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
spoke.
00:23:38
B-Critical
Karin's actually come in instead of Stokes and then, you know, Ellis is in there now as their foreign overseas players.
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he did quite well.
00:23:47
B-Critical
And, um,
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
He got picked up a crucial wicket, got Setna. And to be fair, Setna played pretty slow innings. So maybe it wasn't a great thing that he got him out at the time he did. But um no, look, I thought it was a pretty standard Chennai sort of game with a slow, low pitch.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And to be fair, apart from Gayquad and Ravindra, apart from Gayquad, he looked quite well. um The team did look like they were... um It was a tricky chase.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, um yeah, it it was nice to see Ratchett as they do it again. And, um yeah, so we've we've had a we've had a few games so far. The games coming up later today are Delhi and Lucknow.
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, that's going to be really interesting because Delhi is obviously under a new leadership at Aksar Patel. um and they And Ricky Ponting, now that Ricky Ponting's left, it'll be interesting to see how this team performs.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, I guess with luck now, you've got Justin Langer coaching there. And, yeah, there's going to be a pretty – I know he's going to be pretty – um Keen on this picture and keen to sort of make his mark was he didn't have a good start in his first year as coach.
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And, you know, again, with the IPL being so cutthroat, you can have one bad year, but if you have two, um yeah, it becomes quite tricky.
00:25:18
B-Critical
Yeah, I mean, in many ways, like, you know, in Australian circles, at least we know that Langer has a lot to, he wants, there's a certain element oh that he wants to prove to and success as a coach in the IPL.
00:25:32
B-Critical
and It would be some form of redemption given his, you know, perceived treatment in the Australian set-up. He came back to coaching in a big capacity, of course, last year.
00:25:44
B-Critical
um Didn't deliver, at least results-wise. And yeah, he'd definitely be out to prove something. And um yeah, speaking of Aussie coaches, what about Ponting and his Australian cohort at Punjab?
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, that's the other game that's coming up today. The Punjab Kings take on the Gujarat Titans. And yeah, as you mentioned, Brian, Ricky Ponting, after moving from Delhi, i got this opportunity at Punjab. I mean, he's already coached at Mumbai.
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll be under a lot of pressure, especially with the... I think he's brought... Josh Inglis is one of them. He's a few of them, aren't there?
00:26:23
B-Critical
Well, this is the thing. under a lot of pressure and he's taking some, like, high... Like, it's a high-risk strategy, isn't it? Like, you come in under a lot of pressure and then you take in a bunch of players from your own country.
00:26:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:37
B-Critical
um So, I mean, if that... No one's saying anything yet, of course, and that could work.
00:26:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it plays Stoinis on 2 million. So I thought it pretty one of the...
00:26:45
B-Critical
Exactly. So that, know, Stoinis is just...
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Aaron Hardy.
00:26:48
B-Critical
His international career just ended, taking him on 2 million. um
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:52
B-Critical
players that, you know, Aaron Hardy, who's been great for WA and for the Perth Scorchers, you know, but probably not proven in ah IPL.
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Aaron Hardy.
00:27:01
B-Critical
It's an interesting sort of straight, I mean, if you can see if it things don't work out, people saying, oh, Ponting just picked a bunch of Australians.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maxwell and yeah it's
00:27:10
B-Critical
Do you know what I mean? Like it could,
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah like like i look I think no one would think that Ponting like Ponting doesn't need to it's not nepotism really I think Ponting genuinely feels
00:27:19
B-Critical
Oh, look, I'm sure it's not, but we know what we know you know what people can say. We know a passionate Indian fans can say as well.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but I mean, yeah, but the owners were pretty good. dan And look, he's not like he's picking players like Maxwell, Stoinis and Inglis. You know, in the World Cup winning team in 2023.
Harry Brook's Suspension and Implications
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously players like Hardy and Bartlett are a little bit more unknown.
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if Ricky does well. with this team. But yeah, the other thing i was going to say later today, Rishabh Pant is now captaining Lucknow against his old team, Delhi. So that should be pretty spicy. But you know, with the IPL, I mean, I mean i think every everyone, i most people have played for two clubs, so it's probably not as rare as with other leagues.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But So, yeah, I mean, that's what summarised the first round of the IPL. um You know, there's been a lot of news in and around the IPL as well. with like Harry Brook probably headlines that.
00:28:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The Harry Brook... suspension I mean, from what I've seen, it hasn't really polarised opinion like a lot of people thought it would. Most people are on the side of the IPO where they see that because Harry Brooke pulled out belatedly, um it really puts the team at a disadvantage.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, you know, if you remember, they had this auction in Riyadh in early December when the test series actually, oh, in November, sorry.
00:28:42
B-Critical
Yeah, look, I... Yeah, that was definitely the big story leading up to this all, um was the Harry Brooks saga. When I say saga, it was like a bit of a... It was more of a story than a saga, but basically... Yeah, just to explain that rule for those who don't know, if you pull out of the IPL auction um after being... If you pull out of the IPL after being selected...
00:29:09
B-Critical
in an auction, you get two-year ban.
Kane Williamson's Commentary Role Transition
00:29:13
B-Critical
And the rationale behind that is, and it's not the IPL saying, necessarily saying, the easy way to criticize and point fingers is saying, they're trying to monopolize their control over players by saying, if they don't play, they'll ban them.
00:29:25
B-Critical
But it's more like, this auction has happened, you put your name in the hat, and now you're taking it out of the hat. And what it could be, it could be like, you know, you're not happy with the price you get, which I'm not saying was the case with Harry Brook,
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what Michael Clarke said. ah so um I've never heard that angle before.
00:29:39
B-Critical
Well, that's what Michael Clark said. He had a very good point. Like what was it? 800,000, right? dollars, believe. right u dollars i believe
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
but sure But surely, you know, ah the reason why I'm not sure if I buy that is the IPL isn't, I mean, for top-level players like Brook, right It's not simply just an opportunity to earn money.
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an opportunity to really establish yourself as a great player on the world stage, the way it did for Stokes and Butler back in 2016, 2017. um So i I, to be honest, i think it's I think it's a lost opportunity for Harry Brook. I mean, I don't really know what else is going on.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, potentially, it sounds like it's something to do with the England captaincy, maybe, but um I still think
00:30:19
B-Critical
Look, well, he's being primed for captain of England. He did not have the best champions trophy. England had a terrible champions trophy.
00:30:32
B-Critical
So at the end of the day, he might be thinking the image he wants to set is I'm committed to England and we can understand why. He's being primed to be the next captain of the white ball side.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, I've heard people say that.
00:30:47
B-Critical
However,
00:30:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've heard people say that. But if you look at Ben Stokes, like, look at Pat Cummins.
00:30:50
B-Critical
Oh, well, that's the logic. That's the logical reason, right? Yeah, hold on. what what why do you Why do you reckon he pulled out?
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I mean, i your the reason is correct. The reason is that, I mean, we don't know.
00:31:01
B-Critical
Yeah, yeah. So that's the logical reason.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
no We can speculate.
00:31:03
B-Critical
Now, Clarkie's hypercritical reason was that players have this option.
00:31:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on.
00:31:10
B-Critical
The IPL rule is fair because players can go into the auction, not be happy with the price they get, and then pull out, right?
00:31:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
but ah look ah
00:31:18
B-Critical
And that is a great possibility. At the end of the day, the IPL, the primary reason players play in the IPL is for the money and fairly so.
International Player Dynamics in IPL
00:31:29
B-Critical
It's not for legacy.
00:31:30
B-Critical
It's not for it's not to be great.
00:31:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
if not I think it's i think there definitely is a part where you're playing because it's the best competition out there. And money does lead to that. But yeah, I think there is definitely more to it because it does improve your ability as a player in the short-term format and improves your brand as as well as your... um It improves your versatility as well because you're playing game in, game out in different situations. But yeah, I mean, understandable.
00:31:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think um my point of view that it was well-deserved, the two-year ban. But I think you'll come back better and stronger than ever. The other thing I noticed,
00:32:06
B-Critical
if he wants If he wants to, he might not care about IPL coming forward.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, yeah, good for some if that's the case. And then another thing we saw, interestingly, is Kane Williamson. We saw him commentating on the game. I think I saw him on QuickInfo giving his perspective as a former IPO captain who reached the final with Sunrisers in 2018.
00:32:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was interesting seeing him. I know a lot of us would like to see him out in the field in the IPO, but he's joined the PSL, isn't he?
00:32:37
B-Critical
Yeah.
00:32:41
B-Critical
Well, I mean, that's the thing. The IPL's loss is the PSL's game. We definitely look at the IPL thinking we're going to see all the biggest stars there. He wasn't picked, of course. Warner's the other one that wasn't picked, both of whom are playing in the PSL.
00:32:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Warner's a big one. So you see, what Warner is for me is a more – there's more I can take from the Warner one because with Kane Williamson, but a lot of the time you want him for who he is and his brand and, you know, he's cool head, right?
00:32:55
B-Critical
What...
00:33:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you look at his numbers purely from a, you know, purely from a meritocratic point of view,
00:33:14
B-Critical
It's 320 numbers, yeah.
00:33:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's T20 numbers. His strike rate's always on the low side. whereas So you can understand why teams might not go for him. But Davey Warner has been the best overseas player in IPL's history. And while he's had a couple of you know up and down seasons, there's not deserve deserve nothing worse than someone like Glenn Maxwell.
Exclusion of Pakistani Players Discussion
00:33:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think we're coming to a stage at the IPO that having brand power and
00:33:40
B-Critical
Well, can you give us more insight into that? Like, what was was his base price set too high, or was he just unlucky?
00:33:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't... Yeah, I don't believe... i mean, we'll look into that more. I don't know about that, but I don't think his base but ah pay was significantly higher. i just think it was decision from the um ah various IPL teams to not select him. and um yeah and And to be fair, this is a similar... You know, I'm not sure if he's blacklisted or not, but we're seeing something similar with the Pakistani players not being selected um for the 100 or the SAT 20. Now, there's a couple...
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
now
00:34:14
B-Critical
Well, that's another fascinating thing.
00:34:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
come
00:34:16
B-Critical
Like, so just to give context on that. So, you know, the no pas the Pakistani players weren't selected in the SAT20. So that's the revamped South African p twenty competition.
00:34:30
B-Critical
They were also not selected in the 100, where they have pretty big representation normally. So 45 Pakistani players registered, none were picked.
00:34:43
B-Critical
And just to give some context.
00:34:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
cross gender Across genders, that is, not not just men. um yeah but what i
00:34:48
B-Critical
Yeah, cross genders for the men's and women's, for the men's and women's 100.
00:34:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's two reasons for this. mean There's two um theories.
00:34:56
B-Critical
Well, to give, before we get very new reasons and theories, let's just give a bit of context. so What's changed about the 100 this year is that they've allowed private ownerships of franchises.
00:35:08
B-Critical
So previously, the franchises were owned by the counties. Now they've been privatised. A lot of the people that have bought into the franchises, well, almost not exclusively, but at least every single franchise to some extent, have been IPL franchises.
00:35:30
B-Critical
So Indian owned, Indian owned like entities.
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and And even people of Indian origin. So we saw the, we saw consortium with a lot of tech leaders from,
00:35:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
companies like Palo Alto Networks and the like, um, the so CEO of and Satya Nadella, Microsoft, um, a lot of, they formed a consortium to purchase the London spirit.
00:35:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so, yeah, I mean, there's a theory going that their connection to India may have some part to it, but we must also not lose sight of the fact that Pakistan have been playing pretty rubbish cricket across all formats in the last couple of years.
00:36:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, um,
00:36:07
B-Critical
Yeah, but, mate, come on. Like, as if they're not going to, as if they don't want, um you know, Shaheen in their side. As if they don't want Shah Masood.
00:36:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, a lot of Pakistani fans, a lot of Pakistani fans, well, I don't know how it's showing me student in T20 game game.
00:36:17
B-Critical
Sorry, not Shah Masood. Shah Masood is playing county, funnily enough. So that's fine. He's not an issue. He's not a T20 competitor. As if they don't want Shah Masood.
00:36:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Baba.
00:36:29
B-Critical
shot sha sha
00:36:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i mean, i look,
Conclusion and Future IPL Anticipation
00:36:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
they might. I just think the other thing you have to keep in mind is that Pakistan have a few one-day commitments and limited overs commitments around that period in June, July. So they might be a bit on unfair unsure as to their availability. I mean, we've seen players like Adil Rashid and Joe Root not get picked up in IPLs in the past for reasons like that. So, um yeah, I think it's a wait and see.
00:36:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... um Yeah, look, I think this is a great, this has been a great, and again, first weekend of the IPL. I'm really looking forward to the next couple of games.
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Bren, what do you think going to happen later today? Do you have any views on the Delhi lockdown game?
00:37:17
B-Critical
Um, the Delhi Lucknow game, oh mate, not, not too many. I mean, there's a long list of missing fast bowlers and that's going to be, uh, you know, a bit of a handicap for LSG. Um, so, uh, you know, Rahul and Pant are out there with their points to prove. Obviously Pant has been, um,
00:37:39
B-Critical
Excluded of late from the national setup, he's coming up against his old franchise.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. For sure.
00:37:44
B-Critical
um So, yeah, it's very interesting. They just happen to um start the season against each other. um So, yeah, I'm pretty 50-50 on that one.
00:37:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
show
00:37:52
B-Critical
fifty fifty on that one
00:37:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm interested in particular see deli bowls. The Mitchell Stark and Tina Trajan, two of the best Yorker bowlers of different varieties that I've been on the scene. One bowl that's so slow that you can probably take nap and play in hour's time.
00:38:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you've got Mitchell Stark.
00:38:11
B-Critical
play it next game
00:38:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But, Bran, look, it's been a pleasure. um We'll reconnect later this week and hopefully um see some more amazing cricket.
00:38:24
B-Critical
sounds good mate talk soon
00:38:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Take care, mate. Bye.