India Men Clinch T20 Series vs. Sri Lanka; but SL Women win the Asia Cup!

[00:00:08] Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the Edges & Sledges Cricket Podcast. I'm your host Ashwin, I'm joined by Varun. Varun, how are you doing? You haven't been on for, I guess, one week and then we took a couple weeks off. So DJ and I got to shake off kind of the post-break blues last week, but this is the first back for you. How are you doing?

[00:00:25] I'm doing good, man. Yeah, I was just looking at our podcast software and thinking, do I need to press anything additional because it's been three weeks. And yeah, I heard you guys last week. I think you guys covered so much stuff.

[00:00:38] between the World Cup win and the new coach and the new captain. And so I was a bit sad because I would have loved to be there to discuss all these changes. But otherwise doing well, I'm actually interestingly enough going to Sri Lanka tomorrow.

[00:00:53] Oh, there you go. I will be in Colombo for the first ODI.

[00:00:57] Are you going to go to the game? I know you were thinking about it.

[00:00:59] So I'm going to use this podcast to see if there is anybody who knows how to hook me up with tickets and you're listening today. Just reach out, man.

[00:01:08] Because I actually surprisingly finished my meetings Friday afternoon and the game starts Friday afternoon.

[00:01:13] Now that would be a coincidence.

[00:01:15] That sounds like it's a coincidence.

[00:01:17] But yeah, so if anyone listening knows how to hook me up, let me know.

[00:01:21] Ashwin, I may even tap on you because I found how to buy the tickets, but I'm not getting the OTP delivered.

[00:01:27] So now either I have to ask you or DJ or maybe the concierge at the hotel, I mean, if they can help you with the OTP.

[00:01:35] But yeah, let's see. Let's see. If I get down to the game, I'll definitely take some videos and pictures.

[00:01:41] Yeah. I mean, let's start with anybody who is listening at one-to-one hand on all the socials.

[00:01:46] One-to-one-hand at jvel.com. Send us a message.

[00:01:49] It's probably a test of whether this works or not, right?

[00:01:52] Yeah, I know.

[00:01:53] We've been doing this six years.

[00:01:54] I know.

[00:01:54] It's the first time any of us have asked for anything back.

[00:01:56] I think it's just that we don't – I can't imagine we have that many listeners in Sri Lanka.

[00:02:00] I know we tend to skew.

[00:02:01] Obviously, India-heavy and then North America and the UK, but mostly NRI population.

[00:02:06] So anyway, great, great.

[00:02:07] We're just starting the show asking for free stuff.

[00:02:09] I said I had to try.

[00:02:11] But there's been actually a lot of India Sri Lanka cricket, right?

[00:02:14] In the last two days, there's been the final of the Asia Cup on the women's side where India came up short, which we'll talk about in a minute.

[00:02:22] And then two T20 matches in the bilateral series, which I, for some reason, thought it was five T20s, but it's not.

[00:02:31] It's three.

[00:02:32] So the series is done.

[00:02:33] India has won the series, wrapped it up already.

[00:02:35] So we'll come to that.

[00:02:36] But let's start very quickly with the Women's Asia Cup.

[00:02:41] Tough loss, right?

[00:02:43] India has won the Asia Cup seven times.

[00:02:46] DJ and I, when we talked last week, it was kind of – the group stages showed you the rift in quality in the Asian women's teams, right?

[00:02:54] You started to see – you saw two teams that were undefeated getting into the finals, India and Sri Lanka, which was great because the two deserving teams got there.

[00:03:01] But you started seeing Nepal and Thailand and stuff struggle at this level.

[00:03:05] But then getting into the finals, you know, I will say I probably had more hubris than I have had on the men's side.

[00:03:12] You know, I've always kind of – you're always going to feel our opponents in the women's game that we are fearful of are England and Australia to an extent.

[00:03:21] South Africa comes and goes, West Indies comes and goes, et cetera.

[00:03:24] But it's England and Australia are the dominant sides.

[00:03:26] Sri Lanka really showed up today, right?

[00:03:28] It was a phenomenal performance.

[00:03:31] I mean, to see Sri Lanka beat the Indian women by eight wickets after the Indian team scored 165.

[00:03:37] I mean, outstanding, right?

[00:03:39] Any thoughts?

[00:03:40] It's disappointing.

[00:03:41] It's hard to address or speak about.

[00:03:45] But any thoughts?

[00:03:46] No.

[00:03:46] Even I was – you know, I was reading up about this game before it kind of started.

[00:03:51] And the buildup was exactly like you said.

[00:03:53] Everything was about how I think we won by huge margins in the last four to five games.

[00:04:00] And it just – yeah, it just fell up short, man.

[00:04:03] I mean, nobody knows this better than us.

[00:04:05] Like today, after having six years – having done the podcast for six years, we can say we have a trophy.

[00:04:11] Yeah.

[00:04:11] But we're recording exactly 29, 30 days.

[00:04:15] Exactly 30 days ago, we had been doing this without ever having won that trophy, right?

[00:04:19] So, it's not – it's just – we know what falling short means.

[00:04:24] We know that it would have devastated the team.

[00:04:27] Honestly, getting 165 in 20 years is not bad with the quality of the bowling we have.

[00:04:32] It's just – you've got to give it to Sri Lanka, man.

[00:04:34] They won with an over and a half to spare.

[00:04:36] Yeah.

[00:04:37] I mean, tremendous.

[00:04:37] And worth noting, highest chase – highest successful Sri Lankan chase.

[00:04:42] Third highest successful chase against Indian women.

[00:04:45] Highest ever successful chase in an Asia Cup.

[00:04:48] I mean, this was a big day.

[00:04:50] So, phenomenal performance.

[00:04:52] Huge credit to Chamari Athapattu, who was the player of the series.

[00:04:56] Huge credit to Harshita Madhavi, who, I mean, showed up today.

[00:05:00] Just absolutely phenomenal.

[00:05:04] Phenomenal performance.

[00:05:05] I think she made 69 of 51 by the end of it.

[00:05:09] So, good day.

[00:05:10] It's hard to talk about, hard to get into.

[00:05:11] But also a lot of positives for the Indian women's side, right?

[00:05:14] I mean, Smriti made a nice 60.

[00:05:17] Richard Ghosh had an excellent series, a couple of good matches.

[00:05:19] So, good to see progress.

[00:05:22] Disappointing to not have that trophy on the board.

[00:05:24] But I think the better team won on the day.

[00:05:27] I mentioned there was a lot happening in Sri Lanka.

[00:05:30] Two T20s back-to-back.

[00:05:31] Varun, did you get a chance to kind of watch?

[00:05:33] We talked a little bit about selection.

[00:05:34] So, I don't want to relive it entirely, but talk to me about Sky as captain for you.

[00:05:40] And then, obviously, there was one change in between the first and second T20.

[00:05:45] And that was Shubman Gill, who actually had a pretty good start with the bat in the first T20.

[00:05:50] Pulled up with a neck spasm, which I don't know if that's the new back strain, side strain, whatever we call it.

[00:05:55] You don't want to tell somebody they're dropped.

[00:05:58] But Shubman Gill left out for Sanjay Samson, who unfortunately made a first baller, or got out to a first baller.

[00:06:06] Yeah, thoughts on Sky as captain and overall kind of Indian team approach to the series?

[00:06:10] Yeah, so I know, like I said, I know you guys have covered it previously.

[00:06:14] Firstly, I've seen so many memes of our coach, our new coach, Gostol Mambi, you know, walking up to Bumrah and saying,

[00:06:22] I'm too batting, open kariga and stuff.

[00:06:24] And it's been hilarious because I also thought about it.

[00:06:27] I don't think he's done anything ridiculous except ask Narayan to open, which is 10 years old news.

[00:06:35] That worked this year, didn't it?

[00:06:37] Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[00:06:38] So, apart from that, I can't think of any ridiculous decision that he's taken.

[00:06:43] Maybe bowling to Dhoni in an IPL final with seven people around the bat.

[00:06:48] Okay, that's just showing his history with the bat.

[00:06:52] But I just love the memes.

[00:06:54] It's like, Hardik Pandya, now you'll bowl leg spin.

[00:06:57] And there are actually images of him bowling leg spin at the net.

[00:07:00] And I don't know, it's all sorts of stuff, right?

[00:07:03] But generally, great move, I think, for Indian cricket.

[00:07:07] And Sky being captain, you guys discussed.

[00:07:10] It's just the most logical move.

[00:07:12] There's nothing else about it.

[00:07:14] But I almost feel like it would have been a very easy decision when you put, you know, I'm assuming they have a whiteboard and they put up their name.

[00:07:25] So, I think it was the right decision.

[00:07:28] Yeah, I think that's fair.

[00:07:29] I mean, in terms of like leading from the front, results, etc.

[00:07:33] Absolutely justified, right?

[00:07:34] As you think about his two performances in the two games.

[00:07:38] Absolutely tremendous.

[00:07:39] I mean, yeah, he had a phenomenal first starting, but we'll get into it.

[00:07:44] As I start kind of running down the team sheet, right?

[00:07:47] So, I think when DJ and I talked to this, we had the squad, but we didn't have the 11.

[00:07:51] Not a huge surprise that Yasha Swi and Shubban opened.

[00:07:54] Sky played at three himself, Pant four.

[00:07:57] So, in the first T20, Samson missed out, but Pant played four.

[00:08:03] Hardik five.

[00:08:04] Varun, Riyan Parag six.

[00:08:05] Rinku Singh seven.

[00:08:06] Now, again, hindsight, we got to see Riyan Parag the all-rounder and not just the batter.

[00:08:11] But were you happy with, surprised by the Riyan Parag pick?

[00:08:16] Let me just...

[00:08:18] Okay.

[00:08:18] I was going to talk about two things here.

[00:08:20] Let me talk about Riyan Parag first since you mentioned it.

[00:08:22] I am happy that he's playing.

[00:08:26] Okay?

[00:08:27] I think this IPL, he showed a lot of maturity and he goes at a higher strike rate.

[00:08:32] He is not afraid to take a risk.

[00:08:34] And so, I kind of...

[00:08:36] I like the Riyan Parag selection.

[00:08:39] Who is he up against?

[00:08:41] It's Shivam Dube.

[00:08:42] What does Shivam Dube have?

[00:08:43] He has two X factors, which is one, he bats like UV, which for me is enough of an X factor.

[00:08:49] That's it.

[00:08:50] He looks like UV.

[00:08:51] It looks like UV.

[00:08:52] Second is he bowls an average of probably two balls every series, right?

[00:08:59] If I take an average.

[00:09:00] Now, given both these are not great X factors, if Riyan Parag can bowl, it becomes a shoo-in, right?

[00:09:12] Because, again, remember, nobody around him bowls.

[00:09:15] And so, I know he did take three wickets and we will come to that.

[00:09:19] But what I wanted to also call out is Gautam Gambi's reactions when he took those wickets was kind of a done and dusted kind of thing, right?

[00:09:29] So, don't be surprised if that Bumra opening the batting meme is not completely off.

[00:09:35] It is Riyan Parag.

[00:09:36] And I have to say, he's not doing that weird Kedaj Adar side action anymore.

[00:09:41] He's bowling like an offspinner who's putting some pace on the ball, which is a little bit deceptive.

[00:09:48] And long story short, if Cherej has retired from this format, if Shivam Dube is not bowling, I think this is a very logical decision.

[00:09:57] And I like the decision.

[00:09:59] Now, the guy below him, Rinku Singh, is a KKR boy.

[00:10:03] I think Rinku Singh is now going to be the permanent slot.

[00:10:07] So, I don't think Rinku Singh has any competition moving forward.

[00:10:10] Controversial, I know.

[00:10:11] But given the dynamics of, you know, how a few guys weren't successful in the World Cup, that KKR coach is now India coach, I think this is sorted.

[00:10:22] Let me pause there before I talk about Pant, because I wanted to talk about him also.

[00:10:26] But do you kind of agree?

[00:10:28] I feel like that's kind of the lower order.

[00:10:30] Yeah, look, we've talked a lot about how when the Indian captain is a franchise captain, that influences it, right?

[00:10:37] Kohli with RCB is the years when Chahil kind of flourished.

[00:10:41] Dhoni and CSK were the years, Jadeja flourished.

[00:10:44] So, it happens.

[00:10:44] It's normal.

[00:10:46] Potentially to an extent with coach too, right?

[00:10:47] And so, this will be interesting to see if Gambhir's influence, obviously Gambhir's KKR connection means Rinku cements his spot.

[00:10:55] Now, I would argue that's a little bit harsh on Rinku because I think he's earned the spot and he deserves it.

[00:11:03] Now, you know, he didn't make the final 15 in the T20 World Cup, etc.

[00:11:08] But I would argue Rinku deserves the spot.

[00:11:10] So, no argument from me there.

[00:11:11] I think the Rian Prager one, the thing, peace on it before we move to Punt that's really interesting for me is actually he sort of leapfrogged Washington Sundar, right?

[00:11:18] Because Dubé is the medium fast bowling all-round option.

[00:11:23] And if you're playing in the subcontinent and you don't need that extra bowling option to be quick, you're okay with it being spin.

[00:11:27] It feels like for the longest time we've been grooming Washington Sundar.

[00:11:31] So, unless he's now gone further down to sit us and he bats at eight and he's an Akshar Patel Jadeja type of backup, that feels a little tough on him.

[00:11:40] Do you have thoughts?

[00:11:41] But the thing is, he was the next big thing in February 2021.

[00:11:47] Yeah.

[00:11:49] And the world has moved on.

[00:11:51] We're closer to February 2025.

[00:11:53] We're closer to the next GABA test, right?

[00:11:57] And what has he done?

[00:11:58] He just hasn't done enough.

[00:12:00] I don't know if he's not evolved enough.

[00:12:02] I don't know if he just keeps getting injured.

[00:12:04] But there is just something that's not working.

[00:12:07] And I think you said it correctly.

[00:12:08] I think, even though you may not agree with this, but I think he is a backup for Akshar Patel now.

[00:12:14] And that's the position he's in.

[00:12:15] And I think Rian Parag has stepped up so much in the last 12 to 24 months with his batting that I just think it's a classic example of you just couldn't keep up with the time and this game is evolving too fast.

[00:12:30] Yeah.

[00:12:30] I think it's very interesting.

[00:12:31] I mean, I do agree.

[00:12:33] I think it was the right selection.

[00:12:34] But you feel a little hard done.

[00:12:35] And I think we'll come back to it because he picked up three wickets.

[00:12:38] But then he went for 30 runs in the second game with no wickets.

[00:12:41] And he bowled a full spell of four overs.

[00:12:43] So, it's interesting.

[00:12:44] All right.

[00:12:44] I'm going to pause you for one second because we're going to take a very quick break.

[00:12:47] And then when we come back, we will talk about Rishabh Pant.

[00:12:50] Don't go anywhere.

[00:12:51] This is the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast.

[00:13:01] Welcome back to the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast.

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[00:13:22] So, there you go.

[00:13:23] I plugged it again.

[00:13:24] Varun.

[00:13:24] Rishabh Pant.

[00:13:25] Batted at number four.

[00:13:27] I was going to call it a match-losing knock, but we obviously ended up winning.

[00:13:32] But scratchy.

[00:13:33] So, let's do it.

[00:13:34] Talk to me about it.

[00:13:35] No.

[00:13:36] So, here's the deal, right?

[00:13:37] He has not done that well at four in limited overs games.

[00:13:41] I think I read somewhere.

[00:13:43] And the problem with reading this stuff, right, on social media is that you have no idea if what Gambit is saying is true or fake.

[00:13:49] So, I don't know, but what he said sounded real to me, which is that Rishabh Pant has been given a lot of opportunities in white ball cricket.

[00:13:59] Now, in the World Cup, you put him at three.

[00:14:02] I think his keeping skills have improved.

[00:14:05] I think the right place for him is at three in a T20 game.

[00:14:08] And so, to me, given that he was not a certain team or he's not top of mind for Gambit and that he has had success at three, whatever little bit that is, it made no sense to me that he batted at four.

[00:14:22] It's just a silly question.

[00:14:24] Yeah.

[00:14:25] Shubman Gill got out on the last ball of the power play and Chesfal got out one ball later.

[00:14:34] One ball.

[00:14:34] Now, does it make that much of a difference if you're going in at three or four if you came in a ball later?

[00:14:39] No, that was in hindsight.

[00:14:41] Yeah, fine.

[00:14:41] The guy who walked in didn't know the Jetson.

[00:14:44] So, the point is, I think what you're saying is the power play was over.

[00:14:48] Yeah.

[00:14:49] And to me, three or four doesn't matter if it's a delivery apart, but you're right.

[00:14:52] Yeah, but delivery apart is in hindsight.

[00:14:55] Like, you didn't know at that point.

[00:14:56] But my point is, if he's a power play batsman, you should have played him at three.

[00:15:00] Now, what ended up happening is he ended up at 49 or 33, which is 148.

[00:15:05] Looks fine on Vipa.

[00:15:06] If you didn't watch the knock, it looks fine.

[00:15:08] Yeah.

[00:15:08] Yeah, but I did watch the knock and it was pretty bad.

[00:15:12] He was struggling.

[00:15:14] He hit a six and the four before he got out.

[00:15:17] And so, that changed his numbers completely.

[00:15:19] Otherwise, it would have been a 39 of 31-ish.

[00:15:23] Yeah.

[00:15:23] And to me, that is not good enough in this new era.

[00:15:27] So, the thing for Pant and Pandya that I saw is that make sure you're sticking to kind of your natural game.

[00:15:36] Make sure you are hitting because I feel like you'll probably get rewarded for getting 15 of 5 and getting out as opposed to making 39 of 31.

[00:15:45] So, they have to watch their back a little bit.

[00:15:48] This is what happens, right?

[00:15:49] Whether it's the corporate role, whether it's the cricket.

[00:15:51] When the management changes, it's almost like starting from zero.

[00:15:57] And your learning curve is not that steep because you've got your pass to kind of back you.

[00:16:02] But if Pant does not sort himself out, it's going to be an issue.

[00:16:06] Yeah.

[00:16:06] And you have to believe Gambhir won't give him as long a rope as he's gotten so far.

[00:16:09] And I mean, just from an innings pacing standpoint, to your point, he was 20 of 23 balls.

[00:16:14] Yeah.

[00:16:15] At the start of the 16th or midway through the 16th over, he was 20 of 23 balls.

[00:16:19] And he had a couple of boundaries.

[00:16:20] Then hard of the kit one.

[00:16:21] Then he hit a four.

[00:16:23] And then, you know, he got some runs at the end and then a four and six, like you said.

[00:16:27] But you cannot be 20 of 23 at 15.3 overs at that point.

[00:16:31] And I mean, it was four down at that point.

[00:16:33] I mean, it's just not the way the monitor.

[00:16:35] It was three down at that point.

[00:16:36] Sorry.

[00:16:36] So even more, like it's not the way the modern game is played.

[00:16:39] And remember, Pant is like the most likable guy in the team.

[00:16:43] Yeah.

[00:16:44] I mean, I think Rohit Sharma said in some forum that if I need to laugh or if I need to feel light or something, I will call Rish a Pant.

[00:16:51] So there's a huge likability factor that is no longer going to be there.

[00:16:56] Yeah.

[00:16:57] Couldn't agree more.

[00:16:58] All right.

[00:16:58] Varun, Jaiswal and Gil.

[00:17:00] We've talked a lot about them.

[00:17:01] Gil, does he belong in the shortest format, etc.?

[00:17:03] I mean, went off to an absolute flyer.

[00:17:06] Not a lot of six.

[00:17:07] I mean, he had won six.

[00:17:08] But it was all beautiful boundaries.

[00:17:10] In many cases, absolutely beautifully hit.

[00:17:12] And that's what Gil brings to the table.

[00:17:14] He's classy.

[00:17:14] He hits it well, but he hits it relatively safe.

[00:17:17] But I mean, to score at 212, 34 of 16, Jaiswal 40 of 21.

[00:17:21] I mean, 74 in the power play, you take that in a heartbeat.

[00:17:24] But just absolutely overshadowed by the skipper who walked in and went berserk from the first ball.

[00:17:31] It felt like, I mean, at one point I messaged you being like, dude, leave these poor Shilankans alone.

[00:17:36] And load, I mean, it was too...

[00:17:37] It almost...

[00:17:38] It just felt like utter dominance.

[00:17:40] And to see that, especially with Pant on 20 of 23.

[00:17:45] I almost called him Trump because of its election season.

[00:17:48] With Pant on 20 of 23.

[00:17:51] It was just the absolute most contrasting innings.

[00:17:54] But thoughts on Sky?

[00:17:56] Yeah, I mean, this...

[00:17:58] He had to come out and do it, right?

[00:18:00] He just...

[00:18:01] He had to come out and stamp his authority.

[00:18:04] And I think that's why he came out at 3.

[00:18:07] He...

[00:18:07] Some of his...

[00:18:08] You know, typically he bends and hits those shots behind.

[00:18:11] There was one ball where he just stood up straight and smacked it behind the wicket.

[00:18:15] And that's what you messaged me.

[00:18:17] So, he had to do it.

[00:18:18] I'm really glad he did it.

[00:18:20] He's got a two-year rope, as you and DJ said last year.

[00:18:23] We...

[00:18:23] You know...

[00:18:24] He's our number one T20 batter.

[00:18:27] And I just hope that the captaincy pressure doesn't get to him.

[00:18:30] He just needs to go out and play the same way.

[00:18:32] Because, remember, he has not had the best record in knockout games, pressure games.

[00:18:39] And so, we need him to be able to deal with the pressure of being captain.

[00:18:44] And maintain his batting.

[00:18:45] And that's been the biggest challenge for all superb batting captains, right?

[00:18:49] So, anyway, long story short, I'm really glad he did that.

[00:18:52] I'm really glad he came out and stamped his authority.

[00:18:54] And, yeah, I think there's a lot to look forward to in this combination.

[00:18:58] Riyan Parag gets out.

[00:19:00] 10 or 12 balls left in the evening.

[00:19:01] He's going for a big kind of whip across the line.

[00:19:04] Rinku Singh gets out.

[00:19:05] Then Pant.

[00:19:05] And then Rinku gets out.

[00:19:06] Going for this early heave.

[00:19:07] No, no harm.

[00:19:08] Like, obviously, you want them to finish well.

[00:19:10] But there's no harm in being out in the last two overs.

[00:19:13] Going for a little big shot, is there?

[00:19:15] Yeah, not at all, man.

[00:19:16] Again, like I said, you do want to show to this new management that I'm putting the team ahead of anything else.

[00:19:21] Yeah.

[00:19:22] So then, in the chase, right?

[00:19:24] They got off to a flyer.

[00:19:26] At one point, it looked like this game was done.

[00:19:28] Like they were going to lose.

[00:19:30] Nisanka played a fantastic knock.

[00:19:31] Kusal Mendes made 45.

[00:19:33] Nisanka 79.

[00:19:34] At 14 overs, they looked relatively on pace to win.

[00:19:40] Akshar then comes in, gets a wicket.

[00:19:42] Bishnoi gets one.

[00:19:42] But then at the 16 over mark, to the point you were making earlier, Rian Parag gets thrown the ball.

[00:19:48] Right?

[00:19:48] I don't know exactly in front of me how many they needed one.

[00:19:50] But first ball off Rian Parag's over, but he doesn't get credit for it, obviously, is a run out.

[00:19:57] Fourth ball's a wicket.

[00:19:58] And then he also gets the ball in the 20th over and gets two.

[00:20:02] I mean, at that point, it's Dikshana and Madhushanka.

[00:20:05] They're dayliners.

[00:20:06] But yeah, I mean, pretty clinical all in, right?

[00:20:10] Any thoughts on the bowling and the choice to give Rian Parag the ball at the 17th?

[00:20:16] Again, if I look at it, they did have Siraj and Arshti put an over to go.

[00:20:23] So I think it must have been a calculated risk to say put this guy in a slightly pressure situation.

[00:20:28] And again, this doesn't happen out of the blue, right?

[00:20:32] And it was 56 of 24.

[00:20:34] So you might be sitting here saying we've clawed it back enough.

[00:20:36] Yeah, but you know what?

[00:20:38] 25 or 28 in that Rian Parag over and you've left the door open, right?

[00:20:43] And potentially finished his international career.

[00:20:46] Yeah, exactly.

[00:20:47] So I think it was a risky move.

[00:20:49] I think he stood up and that's what I talked a little bit about.

[00:20:52] I think he bowled quicker through the air.

[00:20:56] Yeah.

[00:20:57] And rather than flighted delivery.

[00:20:59] So smart cricket all around.

[00:21:01] I'm really happy that we are putting somebody.

[00:21:04] And look, I don't think Jaiswal bowling is the solution because that's feeling very forced.

[00:21:08] Yeah.

[00:21:09] Rian Parag has bowled in the past.

[00:21:11] So I think it's a overall I was happy, man.

[00:21:13] I can't complain.

[00:21:14] Yeah.

[00:21:15] So good win.

[00:21:15] And then second D20 back-to-back days.

[00:21:17] You don't see that very often.

[00:21:19] The one change being Gil left out for Samson.

[00:21:21] Very quickly, obviously, we're not going to speculate on whether Gil is actually injured or not.

[00:21:26] Hopefully he's not.

[00:21:27] But Samson gets to open.

[00:21:28] Sky is still batted at three.

[00:21:30] Interestingly, Hardik walked in at four now.

[00:21:32] By the time he did, it was rain curtailed.

[00:21:33] But Samson opening, right decision at this point.

[00:21:38] Otherwise, what's the benefit if you've made the choice to bat Pant Middle Order?

[00:21:42] Jaiswal and Gil are going to be your future.

[00:21:43] What are we doing with Samson?

[00:21:45] Poor guy.

[00:21:46] I don't know.

[00:21:47] I read this very funny thing that he has been the only guy to have been consistently dropped by every captain since 2008.

[00:21:57] He's gotten a lot of pretty good holidays on the BCC.

[00:22:00] He's travelled a lot without playing.

[00:22:03] Which, to be fair, he doesn't want to.

[00:22:05] No, no.

[00:22:05] I agree.

[00:22:05] But it's just...

[00:22:06] That's what I'm saying.

[00:22:07] There is something...

[00:22:10] There's something odd about this.

[00:22:12] Because he's in the squad.

[00:22:13] He's not the first keeper choice.

[00:22:16] He is playing openings.

[00:22:18] There's expectation for him to bat at six in the next game, potentially, if needed.

[00:22:22] There's just no clarity.

[00:22:25] And I don't know what the team is doing with Samson.

[00:22:30] And I also don't know what Samson is doing, right?

[00:22:32] If you've gotten this opportunity, why have you got out zero or one?

[00:22:35] Like, it's just ridiculous to me.

[00:22:37] That you should be...

[00:22:39] You should not give up the opportunity you get.

[00:22:42] I think it's as simple as that.

[00:22:44] And I think he's going to struggle.

[00:22:46] I think his only shot at success is if Pant fails massively.

[00:22:50] Yeah.

[00:22:51] Because there is no...

[00:22:53] I don't think Kishan is part of the mix anymore.

[00:22:57] And I think your Jiteshs of the world are a bit too far out.

[00:23:02] I don't see them coming up unless...

[00:23:04] Yeah.

[00:23:04] I just don't see that happening.

[00:23:08] Yeah.

[00:23:08] I mean, if I remember correctly, Abhishek Sharma is a wicked keeper too, right?

[00:23:11] Or has wicked kept.

[00:23:13] So that's the other guy who you think may be next in...

[00:23:15] And I might be wrong.

[00:23:17] I might be remembering that.

[00:23:18] I don't know.

[00:23:18] I think he's bold.

[00:23:19] He's bold for sure.

[00:23:20] But I think he's kept as well.

[00:23:21] But anyway, maybe I'm remembering that wrong.

[00:23:24] Right.

[00:23:25] Second T20 then, right?

[00:23:26] So Gil misses out.

[00:23:29] Samson comes in.

[00:23:30] Sri Lanka bats first in the situation.

[00:23:32] 161 for nine.

[00:23:33] Again, a decent start.

[00:23:34] Kosol Pereira this time makes a half century.

[00:23:37] Ravi Bishnoi, right?

[00:23:38] Like he's become arguably the first choice right arm leg spinner ahead of Chahil.

[00:23:43] And a great spell.

[00:23:45] Phenomenal spell.

[00:23:45] Three for 26.

[00:23:46] Ended up being a match winning performance.

[00:23:48] But restricted them to 161.

[00:23:49] And then kind of early into India's chase, rain started coming down.

[00:23:53] And that's the worst kind of experience to reckon.

[00:23:55] I mean, 162 in 20 overs is something you'd back India to chase in the subcontinent.

[00:24:00] But then 78 in eight overs is just not as much fun necessarily.

[00:24:05] Samson got out for a duck.

[00:24:06] But then Sky came in, scored, hit four boundaries in a six.

[00:24:10] Jaswal hit two sixes, three fours.

[00:24:12] Hardik walked in at four, which was interesting.

[00:24:15] But again, not that much left to do.

[00:24:16] I think we needed 13, 14 outruns.

[00:24:19] Oh, no.

[00:24:20] Sorry.

[00:24:20] We needed 27 runs.

[00:24:21] And he made 22 in nine balls.

[00:24:25] And then Rishabh didn't need to do much.

[00:24:26] But it's hard to even talk about the chase, right?

[00:24:28] It's clinical.

[00:24:29] But it was an eight-over chase.

[00:24:31] Yeah.

[00:24:32] It was eight overs.

[00:24:33] And again, you saw Sky and Jaswal were the guys, right?

[00:24:36] And I think that's what you're going to see over the next 12 months.

[00:24:38] You're just going to see these two just double down and get those runs, right?

[00:24:42] Kind of like what Rohit and Kohli did.

[00:24:44] But yeah, did you feel that you missed Rohit and Kohli?

[00:24:48] Man, I think I've been mentally ready for them to be gone in T20s.

[00:24:52] I was not actually mentally ready for the Jadija retirement.

[00:24:55] It's the right decision.

[00:24:56] But I wasn't ready.

[00:24:56] But Rohit and Kohli, I think I've been mentally ready for.

[00:25:00] More Kohli than Rohit, to be totally honest.

[00:25:02] But so I missed them a little.

[00:25:05] You feel it.

[00:25:05] But Sky actually said that, right?

[00:25:07] He's like, it's the same train that's running on the tracks.

[00:25:10] It's just a slightly different bogeys that we're now carrying.

[00:25:13] And I was like, that's a good lie.

[00:25:14] He's like, yeah, those two guys aren't there.

[00:25:16] But it's the same train that they built that's leading the way, which I think is a really good insight.

[00:25:21] So did you miss them?

[00:25:22] I didn't know.

[00:25:23] But I have a different reason.

[00:25:25] Because I never play these games anyway.

[00:25:27] Yeah, that's true.

[00:25:27] So it just feels like they're going to come back.

[00:25:29] And they are going to come back this week on Friday.

[00:25:31] They'll be back on Friday.

[00:25:32] So yeah, one more T20 Tuesday.

[00:25:34] Varun, last thought.

[00:25:35] Do you think we changed things up in the final T20 now that we've clinched the series?

[00:25:38] Do you give the Dubes and Sundars a look?

[00:25:40] Or at this point, finish it strong and give this team more practice?

[00:25:43] Yeah, I would say give this team more practice.

[00:25:45] If there's thought behind going, this is your first 11.

[00:25:48] I just, if Gil's back spasm, neck spasm is okay, then I think he comes in.

[00:25:53] That's all.

[00:25:54] I asked DJ this.

[00:25:56] Or DJ and I didn't do this line.

[00:25:57] But I sort of gave mine.

[00:25:58] Three ODI series.

[00:26:00] Roy Charma's back.

[00:26:01] Predictions very quickly.

[00:26:03] All three in Colombo, actually.

[00:26:04] And Friday, Sunday, and Wednesday.

[00:26:06] What are your predictions?

[00:26:08] Are you going to sweep it?

[00:26:09] Like, I have to represent DJ because he's not here, right?

[00:26:12] So I'm going to say sweep it.

[00:26:14] I mean, I picked 2-1 for the T20.

[00:26:17] So I'll stay consistent that India wins.

[00:26:18] But I would have said 2-1.

[00:26:19] You never know what can happen in one ODI.

[00:26:23] Yeah, Varun, that's a wrap.

[00:26:24] I mean, there's been a lot happening in the rest of the world in cricket.

[00:26:27] The West Indies versus England series.

[00:26:28] England wrapped up the third test today by 10 wickets today at the time we're recording this.

[00:26:32] So that's a 3-0 series win.

[00:26:36] I think that brings us to a wrap.

[00:26:37] Varun, enjoy your trip to Sri Lanka.

[00:26:39] I know it's going to be good.

[00:26:40] Hopefully, even if you don't get to see the game, being in the city.

[00:26:43] You'll be there Tuesday as well, right?

[00:26:45] I'm Tuesday.

[00:26:46] No, I'll be there Wednesday morning.

[00:26:48] Okay, so you won't be there for the 30-20.

[00:26:50] Depends on the Wi-Fi on the flight if I can watch that.

[00:26:52] Yeah, and then you will be there for the ODI.

[00:26:55] This has been fun.

[00:26:56] Good to wrap.

[00:26:57] Got a very different coming off of the energy of the IPL of the World Cup.

[00:27:00] But sir, there's been two T20s at a Women's Asia Cup.

[00:27:03] Not that much we need to cover.

[00:27:05] But thanks to everybody for listening.

[00:27:07] We have fun doing this.

[00:27:08] We love to come out and put these out there.

[00:27:10] We are at OneTipOneHand on all the social medias.

[00:27:12] Like I said, we are OneTipOneHand at gmail.com.

[00:27:15] If you'd like to send us any feedback or review or any ticket hookups for Varun for Friday 1st ODI in Sri Lanka.

[00:27:21] I was hoping you'd do a last one.

[00:27:23] Of course.

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[00:27:26] Leave us comments.

[00:27:27] We'd love to read them.

[00:27:28] This is the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast.

[00:27:29] We will be back next week to talk about the ODIs.

[00:27:34] Thank you very much for listening.