India v Bangladesh T20s: India flex all round muscle to crush Bangladesh

[00:00:09] Hello and welcome to this week's episode of the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast. I'm your host Ashwin. We have a full house today. Varun's joining us from Singapore. DJ is back in London. DJ, how was your trip, your vacation? Thanks to our listeners who powered through that episode of not so great audio quality and not as good internet quality, but we made it happen because we had a lot to talk about. But how was your trip, man?

[00:00:30] Yeah, it's good. Back in London now and looking forward to the rest of the cricketing season. There's lots happening on that front.

[00:00:37] There is a lot happening. Varun, I think it's been a while since all three of us have been on. And before we get into it, there has been a lot of cricket happening, right? England played Pakistan in a test. India played Bangladesh. The women's world T20, of course, the World Cup is on. What have kind of your favorite moments been in the last couple of weeks of cricket since we last spoke before we get into it?

[00:01:00] Yeah, so to be honest, I can see DJ Dindal no look. That was pretty fun.

[00:01:07] I think by default, I think the answer is going to be the new look India T20 team, not the no look.

[00:01:15] But the other thing that I have watched is a little bit of the women's World Cup that's going on.

[00:01:22] So I saw the India Park game and I've been following that.

[00:01:25] So to be honest, I haven't been up to date on everything else.

[00:01:29] It's just like it feels like my mind is just waiting for that November 21st weekend where the India-Australia series starts.

[00:01:37] So it feels like I'm gearing up to that.

[00:01:39] Like we got the trophy in the bag and that's the next big thing.

[00:01:41] But yeah, it's been good to have some cricket back.

[00:01:43] Yeah, we do have to talk about, Varun, before we wrap, remind me in case I forget, that we may be playing that game with a different captain or at least a stand-in captain for a little bit.

[00:01:53] Because Rohit has indicated he may miss that first test for personal risk.

[00:01:56] Oh, I missed that? Really? Wow.

[00:01:58] Yeah. I'm not sure why, DJ. Do you know why? We might as well talk about it.

[00:02:01] Now, I think, I believe they're having a child, right?

[00:02:03] 36 all out?

[00:02:07] At least Rohit is coming this time, not leaving after 36 all out.

[00:02:10] Because Kohli left.

[00:02:12] Does Rahane come back in as stand-in captain?

[00:02:16] Rahane is anyway non-playing captain.

[00:02:18] Yeah, exactly. Always.

[00:02:20] DJ, are you surprised when I asked one of his favorite moments over the week?

[00:02:23] He mentioned Rahardik. He mentioned the Women's World Cup.

[00:02:26] He did not mention the tremendous amount of schadenfreude we've all enjoyed in seeing Pakistan make 556 and lose by an innings.

[00:02:36] I mean, did you ever dream this is even possible?

[00:02:39] And again, we'll get into all of this.

[00:02:40] But are you surprised he didn't pick that?

[00:02:41] I feel like that could be a pretty fond memory from the last week of cricket.

[00:02:45] It's kind of sad.

[00:02:46] I mean, it's comedy, right?

[00:02:48] Like, you get 556 in the first innings and you go on to lose the Test match.

[00:02:55] Although, apparently, every team in this century that scored 556 has lost the Test match.

[00:03:02] How great a stat is that, by the way?

[00:03:03] That is fantastic.

[00:03:04] How many teams have done what?

[00:03:05] Australia, 556 in Eden Gardens.

[00:03:10] What?

[00:03:11] That is such an obscure, bold, but incredible stat.

[00:03:15] Yeah, Kostov and Kostov put this up.

[00:03:17] I didn't put this up, man.

[00:03:19] Like, I thought you remembered it.

[00:03:22] I thought you were like, yeah, I remember in 2001 they made 556.

[00:03:26] No, no, Kostov.

[00:03:27] I saw that game and I remembered the game where I think DJ Jaya Surya hit 340.

[00:03:34] Yeah, 950 to 6 that was.

[00:03:36] Oh, my God.

[00:03:37] Mahanama 2-11.

[00:03:38] Jaya Surya 340.

[00:03:39] I don't think I have ever had a longer 3-5 days in my life.

[00:03:44] It was sick.

[00:03:45] Where we just watched Amit Kuruvilla bowl.

[00:03:47] Rajesh Chauhan finally took the wicket.

[00:03:50] Bowl.

[00:03:50] No, Kuruvilla got somebody out on 199.

[00:03:54] No, that was the next test where Jaya Surya made 199.

[00:03:57] But next test, he made 340.

[00:03:58] He made like 550.

[00:04:01] He made 340.

[00:04:01] But this is, guys, this is one of, that test match in 952 for 6 was a test match.

[00:04:06] One of our guests made his debut in.

[00:04:08] Do you remember?

[00:04:12] He took a wicket first ball of his test match career.

[00:04:15] And then went on to bowl and bowl and bowl.

[00:04:20] Ooh.

[00:04:21] Ashwin, you're Googling this.

[00:04:22] Yeah, of course I'm Googling.

[00:04:23] Nilesh Kulkarni.

[00:04:24] First ball wicket.

[00:04:25] Oh, man.

[00:04:27] That was his debut?

[00:04:28] It was his debut.

[00:04:29] First ball wicket.

[00:04:29] So, he's like, test cricket's pretty easy.

[00:04:31] Then 952 for 6.

[00:04:34] Anyway.

[00:04:35] I mean, Rajesh.

[00:04:36] Yeah, sorry.

[00:04:36] Rajesh Chahad's bowling figures in that match was 78 overs 1 for 276 in one inning.

[00:04:41] Just imagine.

[00:04:42] And the 1 was Jaya Surya because he finally broke that partnership.

[00:04:46] If there's one thing you can be sure of is that when all three of us around, we go on

[00:04:49] tangents and get completely derailed.

[00:04:51] So, let's bring it back in.

[00:04:52] Let's talk about the India versus Bangladesh T20s first.

[00:04:55] A lot.

[00:04:55] I mean, ultimately, two tests, three T20s and India swept them.

[00:04:59] But not hugely surprising.

[00:05:01] That's the result you'd expect, right?

[00:05:03] But as you looked at the T20s, I mean, win by seven wickets, win by 86 runs, and win

[00:05:08] by 133 runs after that.

[00:05:10] I mean, I think some standouts, how they got player of the series, Sanjay Sampson in that

[00:05:15] third match.

[00:05:15] Do you want to just summarize overall the series for you?

[00:05:17] And then we'll spend most of our time talking about that third T20 because it was really

[00:05:21] something.

[00:05:21] Yeah, I mean, I think it was nice because sky captain, Gambhir coach, a new look team.

[00:05:29] I, for the first time, I have to be honest, for the first time in maybe 10 years or 12

[00:05:35] years, I've looked at a team and been like, man, this is what an Indian T20 side should

[00:05:41] look like.

[00:05:41] And I say that with a pinch of salt because there was almost none of the World Cup winners

[00:05:47] were there.

[00:05:49] Yeah, of course, Pandya and Sky were, but there was no Bumrah, there was no Jaddu, there

[00:05:53] was no Aksha, there was, you know, even, I forget Rohit Kohli.

[00:05:57] Actually, it's just Pandya and Sky as you said it, right?

[00:05:59] It's only them, right?

[00:06:00] So, and Arshtip.

[00:06:02] And Arshtip, correct.

[00:06:03] Yeah.

[00:06:03] That's really something, man.

[00:06:04] So, it is completely new look.

[00:06:07] And also keep in mind that they rested a lot of the test guys as well.

[00:06:12] So, there was no Jaiswal and there was no Gil.

[00:06:14] So, almost feels like this was like a B-side play compared to what we're used to.

[00:06:21] But just, I mean, my quick thoughts on the team was just, I was very excited, right?

[00:06:26] They've made Sanju Samson open.

[00:06:28] And, you know, DJ, you probably remember this better than me, but like Rohit Sharma was

[00:06:33] made to open and that changed his career.

[00:06:35] I don't know.

[00:06:35] I think Sachin was made to open and that changed his career.

[00:06:38] So, it is, feels like we're on the cusp of something big and new with Sanju Samson opening

[00:06:45] because he's not a number three now because Sky, the captain, is there.

[00:06:49] He, theoretically, we've had so many discussions about him where he could bat at one, two, four,

[00:06:55] five, six, seven, and just feels like that little bit of clarity has been given.

[00:06:59] So, overall, very excited.

[00:07:03] Yeah, very well said.

[00:07:04] I mean, just to run down it quickly.

[00:07:06] First, first T20, actually, three for 14.

[00:07:09] I mean, I think we got them all out for 127.

[00:07:10] And to chase it down on 11 and a half overs was a signal of intent at that point, right?

[00:07:15] You saw Sanju hitting runs.

[00:07:17] You saw Abhishek Sharma just going for it.

[00:07:19] Disappointed to get run out, but just going for it.

[00:07:22] Sky batting it two runs a ball, as he always does.

[00:07:25] Hardik finished it off.

[00:07:26] So, but really, full credit to the bowlers.

[00:07:29] DJ, let me go to the second T20.

[00:07:31] India batting first.

[00:07:33] 220, 221, right?

[00:07:35] Fantastic score and obviously soon to be overshadowed.

[00:07:38] But still, 25 for two.

[00:07:40] And then Sky came in, couldn't really get going, 41 for three.

[00:07:44] India has a new number four in T20s in this series.

[00:07:47] Talk to me about the all-round capabilities.

[00:07:50] I mean, we saw him in the IPL, but talk to me about Nitesh Reddy.

[00:07:52] And just, I mean, the ball striking was true.

[00:07:56] It just felt like when he hit it, it hit this middle of the bat that nobody else has.

[00:08:01] And it just felt so pure.

[00:08:03] How excited are you about this prospect?

[00:08:05] Very excited.

[00:08:06] So, there's two things.

[00:08:07] One, I think there was a stat that came out of the first T20 where the only player, because

[00:08:12] Nitesh, I think, remained not out at the end of that with Hardik.

[00:08:14] Because Hardik came out with a point to prove.

[00:08:16] And, I mean, the no-look and all of it.

[00:08:19] It's all pretty intense for a game against Bangladesh and bilateral.

[00:08:23] But I think he, Hardik had the whole, like, captaincy's been taken away from me thing going.

[00:08:27] And Sky was playing under Sky.

[00:08:28] But fine, whatever.

[00:08:30] But Nitesh, remember, was at the end of that.

[00:08:32] And he was the only one, I think, that didn't strike at over 150.

[00:08:36] He went, normally, he didn't need to do anything.

[00:08:38] We won in 11 overs.

[00:08:39] You're talking about the third match?

[00:08:40] The first match.

[00:08:41] First match.

[00:08:42] Oh, sorry.

[00:08:42] First match.

[00:08:43] So, this I remember reading in the match report and going, like, this is a little bit of an

[00:08:48] odd thing to pick on.

[00:08:49] We won by, in 11 overs.

[00:08:51] And everybody smashed it.

[00:08:52] Like, not everyone has to do it.

[00:08:54] I think Nitesh Reddy perhaps read the same article.

[00:08:59] Because man from 41 for 3, he led the charge.

[00:09:05] Along with, I think it was a partnership with Rinku, wasn't it?

[00:09:07] That he put together.

[00:09:08] And that, as you said, ball striking was incredible.

[00:09:13] It was clean.

[00:09:14] It was long.

[00:09:15] The Sixers were not just clearing the boundaries.

[00:09:18] They were going deep, deep, deep into the crowd.

[00:09:21] It was just...

[00:09:23] And he got 74 of 34 balls, I think, in that game.

[00:09:26] And it was just absolutely striking of the highest quality.

[00:09:31] It was like he'd just taken an IPL framework and transported it into international cricket.

[00:09:36] And he's two games old in international cricket.

[00:09:39] Plus, and we should talk about this, he can bowl.

[00:09:42] He can open the bowling.

[00:09:45] Yeah, picked up two wickets, right?

[00:09:47] Varun, is this kind of the gap we've been talking about for the longest time?

[00:09:50] Is a guy who could bat in the top five and bowl up to four full overs in the T24 format?

[00:09:55] And he's 21 years old.

[00:09:56] Just turned 21.

[00:09:58] 5.0.

[00:09:59] I think we're on 5.0.

[00:10:00] No, it's interesting because you look at this side.

[00:10:03] Abhishek Sharma can roll his arm.

[00:10:05] Riyan Parag has been bowling in the last two, three months, I think.

[00:10:10] And now Nithish Reddy bowls.

[00:10:11] So it's a very concerted effort, right?

[00:10:14] Solve the problems of the last 10 years.

[00:10:17] And it's going to allow you to play an attack where you've got Hardik and Akshar as two of the five rather than two of the six bowlers.

[00:10:28] With another, for sure, whatever the final T20 score we go to, let's say in the next World Cup, you are looking at two people who can bowl additional, right?

[00:10:36] So it is very, very valuable in my opinion.

[00:10:39] I also want to call out a friend of mine who's been on the podcast, Rohan.

[00:10:43] He is so in favor of Nithish Reddy that he was kind of telling me that this guy's going to travel to Australia and stuff.

[00:10:49] And I was like, bullshit.

[00:10:51] And I like shat all over him.

[00:10:53] And even then Nithish was doing well.

[00:10:56] And I think just yesterday it's been announced that he's traveling as part of the reserves.

[00:11:02] And, yeah, you know what happened last time we traveled with reserves to Australia.

[00:11:06] Yeah, but this time we have flights that are working.

[00:11:08] You don't need the net bowlers to come in and make a test.

[00:11:11] Yeah, but I didn't expect.

[00:11:13] I like whatever it is.

[00:11:13] Like I didn't expect this guy to be going as...

[00:11:16] Like my friend was obviously saying he's going to go as a reserve, not he's going to play the test.

[00:11:19] But I was like, there's no chance.

[00:11:21] But listen, man, he's impressed everyone.

[00:11:23] So very, very exciting.

[00:11:26] Yeah, absolutely.

[00:11:27] And well said.

[00:11:27] I think team composition becomes such a big part of it.

[00:11:30] And just full credit where it's due.

[00:11:32] I think it's just fascinating for me as I try to...

[00:11:34] My brain turns to process it is for many years it felt like we would come up short in that ICC event.

[00:11:40] And we'd say, okay, cool.

[00:11:41] We didn't win.

[00:11:42] Time to change our strategy.

[00:11:43] Change new coach, new approach, et cetera.

[00:11:46] And then we would do the same thing.

[00:11:47] And then it would happen again.

[00:11:49] And we'd say time to pivot now.

[00:11:50] And we wouldn't.

[00:11:51] We'd do the same thing.

[00:11:52] Anchor roles, things like that.

[00:11:53] But now that we've won the trophy with a team that did play kind of that same similar strategy,

[00:11:58] we said, okay, now let's change it all up.

[00:12:00] And it's just fascinating.

[00:12:01] Do you think there's anything to the approach that Gambhir is bringing, Sky is bringing?

[00:12:04] Or is it just that relief, like this weight hanging on your shoulders as a nation, as a country cricketing team,

[00:12:11] that once it's lifted from having won the trophy, you said, now we can play with a little more freedom.

[00:12:16] What is it?

[00:12:16] I think actually the trophy that we won, we did win it by playing four or around us.

[00:12:22] Fair.

[00:12:23] But you still were playing the Rohit and Kohli's.

[00:12:25] You still were playing those guys who bad as anchors.

[00:12:28] It was like maybe you haven't unleashed the Abhisheks and the Samsungs and all the other guys that you are now seeing come into their own a little bit more.

[00:12:36] But that strategy has worked.

[00:12:38] And we've been shouting about this since 2018, saying look at England, look at the West Indies,

[00:12:42] look at the teams that win these World Cups.

[00:12:44] They do it with multidimensional players.

[00:12:46] We've now got a situation, I think, eight bowlers.

[00:12:49] Although Rian Parag is testing the rules by bowling from behind the umpire to the side and doing all of that stuff.

[00:12:55] He's an actual option just to change things up.

[00:12:59] And in P20 cricket, where the pace is so frenetic, sometimes that's all you need.

[00:13:03] You just need someone to change something up, do something a bit odd, a bit different,

[00:13:06] and they can get you wicked and that can break the game for you.

[00:13:09] So yeah, I think this is excellent.

[00:13:12] It's fantastic.

[00:13:13] I think, Varun, years ago you identified Nitish Rana as one of these players.

[00:13:17] Now, of course, the time has come and gone for him probably.

[00:13:20] But these guys, Washington Sundar, we're not even talking about him.

[00:13:23] He's in the 11.

[00:13:24] He's one of the many guys who can bat and bowl.

[00:13:26] It's just fantastic to see this.

[00:13:28] Like a total pivot in approach.

[00:13:31] I still think that Nitish Rana's of the world, as much as I value him, is a 130 to 150 type of striker.

[00:13:37] We haven't had these guys who have no fear to bat at 200s and in the 200s.

[00:13:41] And it has been great actually to see the pivot in Hardik himself, who in the third match,

[00:13:46] which we're now ready to talk about, was 47, I think, in 17 and didn't try to nudge a noodle for singles.

[00:13:51] Got out.

[00:13:52] And that's fine.

[00:13:52] There's no difference between 47.

[00:13:54] But yeah, go ahead, Varun.

[00:13:55] Take us through it.

[00:13:55] No, obviously, I think the last IPL changed a lot, right?

[00:13:58] Maybe the last one changed big time, but last two, three years.

[00:14:01] So when we're talking about Nitish Rana, it was about the concept of this kind of player,

[00:14:06] who even can go at 150 today.

[00:14:07] 150 also is not enough.

[00:14:09] But it's surprising the World Cup that we won, I think people are not even going at 110, 120.

[00:14:14] So it's just that ability to play to the situation.

[00:14:18] But yes, as per the format of the game, the demands have changed.

[00:14:21] And you need guys like Parag and Nitish Reddy in the middle, because people like Rinku have defined roles,

[00:14:28] but you need people a little bit who have these floater type of roles.

[00:14:31] Yeah, well said.

[00:14:33] And Varun, with that, we're going to talk about the third T20.

[00:14:36] So 2-0 series is done.

[00:14:39] Not a lot to lose.

[00:14:40] India come up to bat.

[00:14:42] And you mentioned the IPL changed it, and it was the Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma probably type of energy

[00:14:47] that suddenly, without Abhishek Sharma performing in this game, Sanju Samson as the opener,

[00:14:54] and Souroukumar Yadav at three.

[00:14:55] Brat, do you want to walk us through that?

[00:14:57] I mean, at one point, we're sitting here, 297 for six was the final score.

[00:15:01] Second highest T20 total ever.

[00:15:03] Only to Nepal.

[00:15:05] Nepal made 314 against Mongolia.

[00:15:07] I'm not sure if that counts.

[00:15:09] It is technically a T20 international.

[00:15:11] Fine.

[00:15:12] But man,

[00:15:14] I don't think you could make 314 in book cricket.

[00:15:18] 297 for six.

[00:15:19] At one point, I mean, we were disappointed to not cross 300.

[00:15:22] It was definitely supposed to be 300 plus.

[00:15:24] Yeah, walk us through that innings.

[00:15:25] I mean, it was...

[00:15:27] Firstly, it was great that they didn't change up the team or rest of Sanju Samson

[00:15:32] because it's what happens, right?

[00:15:34] Like, look, it was a no-pressure game, but the way he batted,

[00:15:38] I mean, whether they were 2-0 up or 2-0 down, the batting was a masterclass in itself.

[00:15:45] 111 of 47.

[00:15:47] 11 fours and eight sixes.

[00:15:49] And keep in mind, five of those sixes came in one over.

[00:15:52] And at the end, he actually said, it's been something I've been working on.

[00:15:56] So, I mean, I don't know how much he's telling us the truth or not.

[00:16:00] But yeah, it's something he's been working on to hit five sixes.

[00:16:03] If I was working on something, I'd work on hitting six sixes.

[00:16:05] But still, five sixes is a good goal to have.

[00:16:09] And some of his shots were just unbelievable.

[00:16:13] I mean, there was one shot, I think, on the offside where Ravi Shastri was also just...

[00:16:17] just lost his mind.

[00:16:18] He just couldn't believe it.

[00:16:20] I saw some of the shots that he did took apart the spin bowling.

[00:16:24] Just beautiful, clean swing, back lift, no hesitation.

[00:16:30] And I don't think I've seen Sanju Samson play like this for a long, long time.

[00:16:34] I mean, I have seen him in the IPL hit these kind of sixes from overs 15 to 18, 15 to 19,

[00:16:40] and just fall short quite often.

[00:16:42] But to do this from the start, like I said, I'm just excited because there is a gap in

[00:16:49] the opener position.

[00:16:51] I don't think Gil is a T20 opener or a player particularly.

[00:16:55] I hope I'm proven wrong.

[00:16:57] But man, this is what happens.

[00:16:59] There's a gap in the opening slot.

[00:17:01] You're looking probably for a lefty-righty combination.

[00:17:03] Abhishek Sharma and Jaiswal are kind of who everyone thinks of.

[00:17:07] And then suddenly the game changes because Sanju Samson is coming.

[00:17:11] It was phenomenal.

[00:17:13] DJ, yeah.

[00:17:13] Yeah, he's gone up from five where he used to bat 4-5, right?

[00:17:17] And he's taken that spot which would...

[00:17:19] I think a year ago we would have probably said Rutturaj is the natural successor to that

[00:17:24] right-handed opener spot, Rohit.

[00:17:27] But he's just leapfrogged and just with his class.

[00:17:29] And remember, he was under pressure.

[00:17:32] He didn't score runs in the first game.

[00:17:34] Well, he scored a few runs, 20 odd in the first game.

[00:17:37] He got a duck in the second game or very few runs in the second game.

[00:17:40] He was under pressure from the Sri Lanka series.

[00:17:43] And Sanju's always been a victim of how good he looks when he's smashing it everywhere, right?

[00:17:48] So, it was really good to see.

[00:17:51] And they're striking, man.

[00:17:52] We talked about Nitesh Reddy being great.

[00:17:55] This was a different kind of like language.

[00:17:58] This was like...

[00:17:59] Almost like conventional cricket but done in the T24.

[00:18:03] Even that five sixes wala over, right?

[00:18:05] Like, it was just proper cricketing shots.

[00:18:08] Yeah.

[00:18:09] He just kept his head down and kept hitting the ball down the ground.

[00:18:11] And the last one was shot and he hit it for six over Midwikin.

[00:18:14] It's just classic batting.

[00:18:16] Just unbelievable.

[00:18:17] But a great celebration.

[00:18:19] So, one question.

[00:18:19] What happens from here?

[00:18:21] Like, given Sanju Samson's history, the next T20, he won't play, right?

[00:18:26] That's just how Sanju Samson's life has gone.

[00:18:31] It's really tough one because when Rishapant is available...

[00:18:34] But with Sanju, right?

[00:18:36] Like what I've said and I should also chip in is...

[00:18:38] It's a little bit with what happened with Rohit Sharma in test matches.

[00:18:42] You bat him down the order.

[00:18:43] He comes in in a situation.

[00:18:44] He plays a situation.

[00:18:45] He plays a shot which he would get away with by playing...

[00:18:48] If he played at top of the order.

[00:18:51] And everybody's on his back saying, why did you play like that?

[00:18:53] Why you don't have temperament?

[00:18:54] All of this stuff.

[00:18:55] Rohit goes to zero for zero.

[00:18:56] It frees up his mind in test cricket.

[00:18:58] And he's done the best thing.

[00:19:00] There's a little bit of that with Sanju Samson as well.

[00:19:03] Because he used to come in at number four.

[00:19:05] And if India were 29 foot two.

[00:19:06] And he tried to hit a big shot and got out in 29 foot three.

[00:19:09] Like why did you do that?

[00:19:10] Why don't you have the temperament?

[00:19:11] Or if India was 100 and something for two.

[00:19:15] It requires you to play that situation.

[00:19:17] Some players just...

[00:19:19] And if he...

[00:19:20] Like in the second game, he chipped one up in the air of Mustafiz.

[00:19:23] And it was done, right?

[00:19:24] So it's almost better for him to come out like that.

[00:19:27] If he fails, he fails.

[00:19:28] And that's fine.

[00:19:29] Like it's not like he's gone out swinging.

[00:19:32] Yeah.

[00:19:33] I think the other thing is, Varun, you were mentioning this about the lead up to the next

[00:19:36] World Cup.

[00:19:36] Sanju is 29.

[00:19:37] The next World Cup is in 2026.

[00:19:39] And it's at home in India.

[00:19:40] Right?

[00:19:40] So as you think about the looking to the post-Virat, post-Rohit, post-Jadeja kind of era in T20

[00:19:47] internationals.

[00:19:48] It wouldn't surprise me if, to your point, they're trying to tell the gills of the world.

[00:19:53] Maybe Jaswal is different.

[00:19:54] But gills specifically, that we want you to be test and ODI captain.

[00:19:59] Period.

[00:19:59] Yeah.

[00:20:00] I think they should.

[00:20:02] And so the question then becomes Jaswal, Abhishek and Samson.

[00:20:06] And I think it's just fine if you have three guys fighting for those two openings.

[00:20:08] But that's kind of what you need.

[00:20:10] So I think it could be very, very interesting.

[00:20:14] DJ, very quickly, Hardik Pandya.

[00:20:16] Made 37 of 16, I think, in the first match.

[00:20:19] 47 of 17 here and still went for some big shots.

[00:20:22] Phenomenal catch.

[00:20:23] I mean, I didn't realize how tall was it Rishad Hussain.

[00:20:26] It just, it was, the game was done by that point.

[00:20:29] So we did.

[00:20:30] But he jumped.

[00:20:30] Phenomenal catch.

[00:20:32] And yeah, but how great is it to see Riyan came in, no fear, 34 of 13.

[00:20:38] Hardik came in, no fear.

[00:20:39] And Rinku actually hit a six off the last ball.

[00:20:42] Otherwise, that 20th over was pretty good.

[00:20:45] How is Hardik involved as a cricketer for you?

[00:20:49] Is he enjoying this role of no fear kind of trick?

[00:20:52] Is he enjoying being the guy who can play with the older crew in Virat, Rohit, etc.

[00:20:56] And who can hang with the younger guys, if you will, in terms of his ability to just ball strike?

[00:21:01] So I think, so it was great to see him hitting those sixes again because he'd gone into kind of that anchor role playing Gujarat Titans.

[00:21:11] And it was great to see him hitting over the offside.

[00:21:14] His offside batting was actually amazing.

[00:21:17] Off the back foot as well as off the front foot.

[00:21:19] He was smoking them over the offside.

[00:21:21] He's always been good over the leg side.

[00:21:23] But I felt like, and I spoke about this a little while ago, but I think he had a point to prove.

[00:21:29] And it looked like that he'd come out with that intensity.

[00:21:32] Yes, it's Bangladesh, right?

[00:21:34] But he'd come out with that intensity.

[00:21:36] Because I don't think he played the Sri Lanka series, maybe.

[00:21:40] I can't remember whether he did or not.

[00:21:42] But I think he didn't.

[00:21:44] I mean, I think everyone did because this was Gambit's first series.

[00:21:49] They did?

[00:21:50] Kohli flew down from London for that.

[00:21:52] It was the ODI series, right?

[00:21:54] Yeah.

[00:21:55] No, even T20.

[00:21:56] Anyway, yeah.

[00:21:57] But this felt like he had something to prove there.

[00:22:01] And it was the no look.

[00:22:03] It was the catching.

[00:22:04] He was in it with the ball.

[00:22:06] It was fantastic.

[00:22:08] And as you said, Riyan Parag, man, that guy's shown us what he can do in the IPL.

[00:22:12] Again, the question was, can he translate that onto the international stage?

[00:22:16] Massive sixes.

[00:22:17] And it's what Sky said at the end of the third T20.

[00:22:20] Like, you play for the team.

[00:22:21] You're not playing for your individual miles.

[00:22:23] So, these guys, as you say, he got out 47, right?

[00:22:26] Pandya in the last.

[00:22:28] He could have knocked it around and got his 50.

[00:22:30] But that's not the ethos that is there in this team at all.

[00:22:33] And that's good to see.

[00:22:35] And I think there's a bit of gambi here in that.

[00:22:37] It's like, you put the team first.

[00:22:39] And then everything else comes after that.

[00:22:41] So, yeah.

[00:22:42] It's been...

[00:22:43] It's thick.

[00:22:44] It's a Bangladesh series.

[00:22:46] So, I don't want to sound too excited.

[00:22:49] And I also don't want to sound like that we're dissing the Bangladesh side.

[00:22:53] They're a very good side.

[00:22:55] They had a bit of a tough tour.

[00:22:56] But they're quite far behind in the T20 game.

[00:22:59] And that said, India just did whatever they wanted to do with this.

[00:23:03] I think regardless of the team, 297 against a top 10 country in the world.

[00:23:09] Like, unless you're playing a much, much smaller, much newer side is incredible.

[00:23:13] It doesn't help when he lose the first ball wicket to Mayank Yardavar.

[00:23:17] That's the other one we should talk about.

[00:23:19] Yeah.

[00:23:20] Varun, quickly on Mayank then, right?

[00:23:21] Picked up two wickets.

[00:23:22] Just looked like he was going about his business.

[00:23:24] Just looked like he's back from injury.

[00:23:27] It looked to me like he was working incredibly hard.

[00:23:31] Now, I don't know if he's yet done what it takes to avoid injury and make himself not injury prone.

[00:23:36] But a couple of wickets in each of the games looked good.

[00:23:38] And then a quick shout out for Bishnoy.

[00:23:40] Picked up three wickets in his first game back and got to 50 T20 international wickets.

[00:23:45] Which just shows you the class and caliber, even though he's not typically the first name we think of on the team sheet.

[00:23:51] Yeah.

[00:23:52] Mayank Yardavar, I was very happy to see him.

[00:23:54] The thing is, he started off with a maiden, which was beautiful.

[00:23:58] But I think what was very interesting is that they kept showing his previous IPL speeds.

[00:24:02] And it was showing 150, 153, 154.

[00:24:05] And he was working at 137, 140, 142.

[00:24:08] So, it takes time.

[00:24:11] And, you know, there are very few 150 plus bowlers who bowl every ball at 150.

[00:24:15] Like, Sherbert Brettley, yes.

[00:24:17] But even after that, I can't recall too many of them who are consistent.

[00:24:21] So, it's important he focuses on the fitness, focuses on the line and length, understanding the game.

[00:24:26] And then, when you have that tearaway speed ability, then surprise the batsman with that.

[00:24:32] Rather than probably bowling every ball at 155.

[00:24:35] So, I was very, very excited to see that and to see him back.

[00:24:39] I think he's a talent that Gautam Gumi had found in Lucknow as well, probably a couple of years back.

[00:24:45] So, it is, yeah, it's really good to see.

[00:24:48] And Bishno, again, you said it best.

[00:24:51] I think he should be one of the first names on the sheet.

[00:24:53] I love the guy.

[00:24:55] But he's not.

[00:24:56] And that's because Chishroja's talent we have.

[00:24:58] Like, Kuldeep and Akshar are still our top two bowlers, I think, in the next two years.

[00:25:03] So, Bishno will have to wait a little bit.

[00:25:05] But I think you can see, like, you know, when he was compared to, like, Rahul Chahar, you can see that he has stepped up.

[00:25:12] And I think he's been given some opportunities.

[00:25:13] You just need to keep going.

[00:25:14] I always say, like, Akshar was never the first name on the list.

[00:25:18] And today, Akshar is the first name on every list, I would say, right?

[00:25:23] So, there's a time, but Akshar put in the effort.

[00:25:26] I think people like Ravi Bishno and other youngsters just have to put in the time and they will get there.

[00:25:32] Yeah, very well said.

[00:25:33] Good series overall.

[00:25:34] Nice to see Gumpir get a win under his belt.

[00:25:37] Nice to see the captaincy of the sky, kind of the cricket they're playing with freedom.

[00:25:42] We're going to take a very quick break.

[00:25:43] I'm going to come back and talk a little bit about the women and New Zealand and England versus Pakistan.

[00:25:48] So, don't go anywhere.

[00:25:49] This is the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast.

[00:25:51] We'll be right back.

[00:26:00] Welcome back to the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast.

[00:26:03] If you're on YouTube, hit that like button.

[00:26:04] Hit that subscribe button.

[00:26:06] And if you're listening to us on your favorite podcast app, give us a five-star rating.

[00:26:10] We always love to hear from you.

[00:26:12] We are at One Tip, One Hand on all the socials, etc.

[00:26:14] I did not mention, by the way, we haven't yet talked too much about the Women's T20 World Cup because the only time we were able to record this is actually during the game.

[00:26:22] So, if you see all of us kind of peering over to the right, we have the India-Australia game on.

[00:26:26] And it makes me nervous.

[00:26:28] Guys, I think at this point, even with a win, the margin, the delta between the margin of a win over New Zealand versus Pakistan, which is going to happen tomorrow, makes qualification look very tricky against Australia.

[00:26:41] Equivalently, with a loss, as long as it's very close.

[00:26:43] If Pakistan does us a favor and beats New Zealand, we still have a shot.

[00:26:47] So, tricky on the Women's World Cup, which is why we're not talking about it more.

[00:26:50] But we will talk it more at our next episode.

[00:26:54] Varun, let's talk about the India versus New Zealand upcoming series.

[00:26:58] Test cricket is back.

[00:26:59] And we were like, okay, cool.

[00:27:00] The T20 ended.

[00:27:01] Next week, we'll do a preview.

[00:27:03] Actually, it starts in three days' time.

[00:27:05] It is the most unfortunate, as I've said, for me, being in my time zone in the U.S., that the game starts at 11 p.m., which means right about as I go to bed and right as I wake up, the last ball is balled.

[00:27:17] So, I don't get a chance to watch a lot of these in real time.

[00:27:19] But let's talk through the squad.

[00:27:21] Fairly similar to the last kind of Bangladesh squad we just played a couple of test matches against, right?

[00:27:27] As I think about it, do you want to run down that?

[00:27:29] And is the main disappointment the lack of Mohamed Shami being back?

[00:27:33] Yeah, I think I read somewhere that he may not even be ready for Australia, right?

[00:27:38] That is very, very disappointing because you need, like, it's one of the toughest tours, right?

[00:27:44] And you need your top guys to be there.

[00:27:48] So, I am actually quite upset about that.

[00:27:50] But let's go through the squad.

[00:27:52] Like you said, it's very, very, very similar to the squad that we've just seen for the test against Bangladesh.

[00:27:57] I think just my guess is this is probably 90% of the squad that is going to go to Australia.

[00:28:04] You may see one or two names thrown up there.

[00:28:06] But, you know, starting off with your Rohit and Jeswar.

[00:28:11] And I think both of them have done a phenomenal job.

[00:28:15] So, no questions there.

[00:28:17] Three, Shubhman Gill.

[00:28:18] Four, Kohli.

[00:28:19] So, and five, Pant, right?

[00:28:21] Absolutely no question.

[00:28:23] I don't think there's any debate about this lineup.

[00:28:26] Yeah, so let's pause there then.

[00:28:28] Top five, I don't think any debate.

[00:28:30] Number six, right?

[00:28:31] You now have three options, essentially, right?

[00:28:34] Between Rahul, who played, or again, five, six, where they walk in is kind of a rough.

[00:28:38] But that sixth slot, Rahul, Sarfraz, who's in the squad and arguably deserves it, and Dhruv Jharel.

[00:28:46] DJ, do you have a point of view?

[00:28:47] I think Jharel is probably the third of those names.

[00:28:49] And so who walks in in that first test, which I think is in Bangalore?

[00:28:53] Rahul.

[00:28:54] Rahul's got a 50 in his last test innings.

[00:28:56] You're not going to drop him.

[00:28:57] Yeah, but according to Varun's logic about Samson, that doesn't matter that much, right?

[00:29:03] I don't know.

[00:29:06] Rahul is a Gautam Gambhir boy from Lucknow as well.

[00:29:09] So, let's not forget that.

[00:29:11] They have a working relationship.

[00:29:12] He is the incumbent.

[00:29:14] It'd be hard for us to drop him.

[00:29:16] I suspect he's being looked at at number six for Australia.

[00:29:20] He hasn't done great in Australia.

[00:29:23] Sarfraz is excellent on home coaches.

[00:29:25] We saw him make his debut as exciting.

[00:29:27] But this has all been done with the one eye on the border government trophy, I feel.

[00:29:32] Also, Varun, by the way, the Shami thing, I think that he's come out and said that it's a baseless rumour that he may not be playing the BG.

[00:29:39] Oh, good.

[00:29:39] On his own Twitter.

[00:29:41] So, at least there's some…

[00:29:44] No, but I think Rahul is the top in those three names.

[00:29:48] And I do feel a bit for Dhruv Jarrell, man.

[00:29:51] He played an incredible knock during that England series.

[00:29:56] Dug us out from a massive hole, that 90 that he got.

[00:30:00] But those are the riches that you have, right?

[00:30:02] I mean, I would actually say I would rather give Dhruv Jarrell a shout before Sarfraz because Jarrell looks technically a better player.

[00:30:12] I was going to say the same thing.

[00:30:14] Sarfraz is not proven outside.

[00:30:16] And DJ, didn't he go back after this game and play a local series and hit 100?

[00:30:22] Yeah, he made a double, right?

[00:30:24] A double.

[00:30:24] Like one day after the Bangladesh last test where he didn't get to bed.

[00:30:27] So, I think he's doing the right things, but I agree with DJ.

[00:30:31] Like I would put Kael ahead of Sarfraz and just worry a little bit about this Australian.

[00:30:38] Like get him…

[00:30:39] Don't play him in that first test, right, in Australia, for example.

[00:30:43] But here's the question, right?

[00:30:44] DJ, you mentioned it, so I pulled out his stats.

[00:30:46] Rahul averages 20 in nine innings in Australia, including a century he made in Sydney.

[00:30:52] So, when you back that out, outside of that century, his average must be 10, 11 or something.

[00:30:56] Like, is that enough to now granted his…

[00:31:00] Middle order Rahul versus…

[00:31:02] Yeah, fair.

[00:31:03] I don't have the position to bat it out in front of me.

[00:31:05] But I think that could…

[00:31:06] Technically, he's proven himself in like in England, right?

[00:31:08] He's got 108 lords.

[00:31:10] He's a class player.

[00:31:12] He's done the work that he's needed to do.

[00:31:14] It's difficult to argue that Kael Rahul doesn't have ability.

[00:31:18] That ability has to be translated into run.

[00:31:20] He's got the technique.

[00:31:21] He's got…

[00:31:22] Fair.

[00:31:22] Yeah.

[00:31:22] So, I think Rahul would play…

[00:31:25] I wouldn't mind seeing Jurel play one of the three test matches.

[00:31:29] Because if you're giving him…

[00:31:31] If he's a backup keeper, right?

[00:31:33] That's what he is.

[00:31:34] You want him to give…

[00:31:35] Have a little bit of game time.

[00:31:37] So, I don't know whether he'll get a shout.

[00:31:38] But I think it's Rahul, then Jurel, then maybe South Wales.

[00:31:42] And depending on the injuries.

[00:31:43] I think if, say, for Rahul got injured,

[00:31:45] I think they'd play Jurel before they play South Wales.

[00:31:48] Yeah.

[00:31:49] Very, very, very interesting.

[00:31:50] And then, Varun, it's interesting as you think about prepping for the Australia Series,

[00:31:54] but then how we think about bowlers as you go to 7 through 11 in India versus away, right?

[00:32:00] So, in the Bangladesh Series, you saw Siraj, Bumrah, and Akash Deep all play.

[00:32:05] How do you think about 7 through 11 against New Zealand,

[00:32:08] and or again with one eye on the Border Gavasker Trophy, as DJ said?

[00:32:12] So, look, Jadu is definitely 7.

[00:32:14] So, it's 8 to 11 is the real question.

[00:32:19] I think Ash is definitely 8.

[00:32:22] There's no question, right?

[00:32:24] That's what I was going to say.

[00:32:25] Ash is definitely 8, especially in India.

[00:32:28] I don't know what Gambhir's view is.

[00:32:31] Gambhir is very pro-Ashwin.

[00:32:34] And I don't know.

[00:32:38] I don't know what's going to happen to Australia.

[00:32:39] I don't know if they're going to go with 4 pace or 3 pace.

[00:32:44] But I do think Ashwin has the ability to bat at 8 and bowl in Australia.

[00:32:52] So, for me, it is going to be Ashwin.

[00:32:55] Now, obviously, some pitches like Sydney and stuff, you would definitely play him.

[00:33:01] At a Perth, for example, first test, I just don't know.

[00:33:05] Yeah, again, bring in Mayank Yadal in the middle.

[00:33:09] But, yeah, but it's definitely a toss-up between Ashwin and a pacer.

[00:33:14] And then you're going to play Boomerang Siraj if Shami is not there.

[00:33:18] If Shami is there, I think you play Boomerang Siraj and Shami.

[00:33:21] But I am quite excited to see Akash Deep to come through.

[00:33:27] Yeah.

[00:33:27] Now, we will talk about the Australia series in a little bit.

[00:33:30] But a couple of weeks ago, you saw Hardik Pandya bowling in nets with a red ball.

[00:33:36] Right?

[00:33:36] I don't think it's happening.

[00:33:38] But is there a world where he's trying to fight for that sixth spot so that you can play Ashwin, Jadu, and three other quicks?

[00:33:47] So, you have four quick bowling options plus a two-spin.

[00:33:49] Anyway, just putting that out there.

[00:33:50] I might be wrong.

[00:33:51] Maybe those rumors were all fake.

[00:33:52] But there were some visuals that did the rounds of him bowling with a red ball.

[00:33:57] Right.

[00:33:59] DJ, first test is at Bangalore.

[00:34:03] Three test matches.

[00:34:03] Just a quick prediction on this one before we pivot and go to our final couple of topics.

[00:34:09] We haven't talked at all about New Zealand.

[00:34:11] We've just talked about the India side.

[00:34:13] But, I mean, they're a good team.

[00:34:15] They're okay.

[00:34:16] They lost in Sri Lanka, didn't they?

[00:34:18] They did.

[00:34:20] They got some pretty tough turning tracks in Sri Lanka.

[00:34:24] I think Sri Lanka won 2-0 maybe against New Zealand.

[00:34:28] And there, by the way, have got a serious bid to the World Test Championship final.

[00:34:32] Sri Lanka are gunning for that second spot.

[00:34:35] Yeah, Sri Lanka beat them by innings.

[00:34:38] We are all behind Sri Lanka to make it.

[00:34:42] Can you imagine India, Sri Lanka and Lawrence?

[00:34:44] And Lawrence.

[00:34:45] We're just flying down for that.

[00:34:47] Therefore, you guys are always welcome.

[00:34:50] See, I think the captain, is he Saudi?

[00:34:55] Saudi, their captain?

[00:34:57] Because he was captaining their test site for a while.

[00:35:01] So, I don't actually know who their captain is.

[00:35:03] But they have announced that Williamson is likely to be late to India because of groin injury, I think it was.

[00:35:11] Maybe he was that D20 ODI captain.

[00:35:14] Let me see who captained them against Sri Lanka.

[00:35:17] So, I haven't actually got like, I'm quickly also checking the…

[00:35:21] Yeah, correct.

[00:35:21] Tim Saudi captained them against Sri Lanka.

[00:35:23] But in the second and third test, it says Tom Latham is the captain.

[00:35:29] But in the first test, surprisingly, there's no C name against the squad.

[00:35:33] Interesting.

[00:35:34] Interesting.

[00:35:34] Yeah, but I mean, but listen, New Zealand always overachieve wherever they go in most cases.

[00:35:41] Like last time, Ajax Patel took 10 wickets against India in an innings, right?

[00:35:46] So, who would have seen that coming?

[00:35:48] Tom Latham has done well against India.

[00:35:50] He's got runs.

[00:35:51] Kain is a class act.

[00:35:54] I mean, I'm going to say 2-0.

[00:35:56] I suspect there'll be a draw somewhere because people will just back.

[00:36:01] Varun, what about you?

[00:36:02] Quick prediction, 2-0 from DJ.

[00:36:05] 3-0.

[00:36:06] 3-0.

[00:36:07] I'm going to say, I'm going to say, I'm going to say 2-0 as well.

[00:36:12] All right.

[00:36:13] Guys, we have to talk about it.

[00:36:15] I mentioned it earlier.

[00:36:16] I would love, I would love your quick reactions, but then your point of view, and I'm going to

[00:36:20] run through it very quickly.

[00:36:23] Varun, 556 by Pakistan in the first innings of a death stretch.

[00:36:28] Three centurions, South Shaquille made 82.

[00:36:31] I mean, at this point, almost at the end of day two.

[00:36:36] And therefore, I dismissed for 556.

[00:36:38] What is going through your mind as an England side, as an England skipper and Olly Pope?

[00:36:43] And by the way, then Olly Pope comes out and gets out of the eighth ball of the edicts as

[00:36:46] the captain.

[00:36:46] So, you're thinking 4-1 with a 552 run deficit.

[00:36:52] Just walk me through this.

[00:36:54] I mean, yeah.

[00:36:55] I got, I'm out of the way.

[00:36:56] I mean, the thing is, when there was 556, the only thing that was where I went in my head

[00:37:00] is, oh my God, I don't want to see Jorut back again for so long.

[00:37:05] Because he's just been the dominant test matchman over the last four years.

[00:37:10] But when it was 556, I was pretty clear that they're going to get close.

[00:37:14] And I think it's going to be a draw.

[00:37:16] And just the nature of the pitch, right?

[00:37:18] Like, seriously, before DJ gave us that stat, 556 is not something you expect to lose.

[00:37:25] Now, it was like a lot of comments about the pitch that it was like a road.

[00:37:30] And Harry Brook and Jorut, like double century, sorry, triple century, just took them apart.

[00:37:37] And I think they went at an incredible strike rate as well.

[00:37:42] Do you remember what it was?

[00:37:43] Like 800 and how many overs?

[00:37:46] 150 overs.

[00:37:47] So, just under six runs and over.

[00:37:48] With Harry Brook's strike rate at almost 100.

[00:37:51] For 322 balls to strike at almost 100, almost to run a ball is just…

[00:37:56] But it's not even the fastest triple century.

[00:38:00] Varun, do you know who that record was?

[00:38:02] The Sultan of Multan?

[00:38:04] The Sultan of Multan.

[00:38:06] Sultan of Multan?

[00:38:07] Multan maybe watched the nation in case.

[00:38:11] Yeah, I mean, you can't beat that guy.

[00:38:13] But still, dude, like…

[00:38:15] King Viru.

[00:38:16] 300 and…

[00:38:17] And then I switched off the game again, right?

[00:38:20] Switched off from the game.

[00:38:21] Because it was like 800.

[00:38:22] They're going to come in with 400.

[00:38:24] And the game is just going to fill in.

[00:38:25] 267.

[00:38:25] And then my friend starts messaging me saying,

[00:38:28] Dude, they're going to lose this.

[00:38:29] They're going to lose this.

[00:38:30] And I was just like, what?

[00:38:32] No, but it was like 4 down.

[00:38:34] Then 6 down.

[00:38:36] And then the day ended.

[00:38:37] And you're like, this game is done.

[00:38:38] How?

[00:38:39] How did Pakistan do this?

[00:38:41] All they had to do was just batting out.

[00:38:44] It was awful.

[00:38:45] Like, after the…

[00:38:47] I think the third day or whatever,

[00:38:49] when Brook and Root were batting.

[00:38:51] Pakistan were still like 200-300 runs ahead of the game.

[00:38:55] It looked like they were 200-300 runs behind.

[00:38:58] It was…

[00:38:59] Actually, it was appalling.

[00:39:00] And then there was this one ball where I think it was an umpire's call on wickets hitting.

[00:39:05] And Nassim Shah went up in review.

[00:39:07] And you're just like, dude, that's…

[00:39:08] Root was on 162 then.

[00:39:10] He then went and added another 100 runs to his score.

[00:39:14] Harry Brook, like…

[00:39:16] I mean…

[00:39:17] It was…

[00:39:18] It's insane.

[00:39:19] Also, Harry Brook has more runs in Pakistan than in England.

[00:39:22] Do you know this?

[00:39:24] What?

[00:39:25] What a stat!

[00:39:27] Yeah, it is actually…

[00:39:28] Unbelievable.

[00:39:30] I have to look this up.

[00:39:30] That's unbelievable.

[00:39:31] Did they go recently?

[00:39:32] Previously?

[00:39:33] Last year?

[00:39:34] Two years.

[00:39:36] Harry Brook…

[00:39:36] It's a four-year cycle, but…

[00:39:38] Has…

[00:39:41] 1875 test runs total.

[00:39:43] He has played 21 innings in England for his 760 runs.

[00:39:47] 761.

[00:39:48] And six innings in Pakistan for his 785.

[00:39:51] That is magnificent.

[00:39:54] I love that.

[00:39:55] That is outstanding.

[00:39:56] And that spinner didn't even turn up.

[00:39:58] The Pakistan spinner didn't turn up on day four.

[00:40:00] He was like, I've bowled too much.

[00:40:02] I'm feeling sick.

[00:40:03] Chutti.

[00:40:04] He had a sickie.

[00:40:05] Yeah, he didn't bat, right?

[00:40:07] He's…

[00:40:07] Sir, I feel bad.

[00:40:08] Sorry.

[00:40:11] We shouldn't laugh.

[00:40:12] Right.

[00:40:13] I hope all is on as well.

[00:40:15] I think that brings us to a wrap, guys.

[00:40:17] Great to talk about.

[00:40:18] Good Bangladesh series.

[00:40:20] Exciting New Zealand series coming up.

[00:40:21] At the time of us recording this, Australia has wrapped their first innings in the women's

[00:40:25] team against India with 151 for 8.

[00:40:28] So, I am not optimistic, including a last ball six, which was not great.

[00:40:31] So, I'm not very optimistic.

[00:40:32] I'm hoping.

[00:40:33] Listen, I'm going to hope.

[00:40:34] But it's not looking good for India either to chase this down or to do so in a way that

[00:40:38] preserves net run rate superior to the gap.

[00:40:42] But listen, anything is possible.

[00:40:44] Hopefully, by the time you hear this, you'll think we were wrong and we're too negative.

[00:40:48] And I'm fine with that because if it means the spot in the semifinals, that would be

[00:40:52] ideal.

[00:40:53] Varun is like, I'm going to sleep.

[00:40:54] Thanks.

[00:40:55] No, I'm going to actually watch this.

[00:40:56] I'm going to wait for Harmaima.

[00:40:58] Harmaima.

[00:40:59] Harmaima.

[00:40:59] Harmaima gets out.

[00:41:01] Then I will.

[00:41:03] Harmaima.

[00:41:05] Maybe it's for the best that all three of us haven't been on too many episodes together

[00:41:09] recently.

[00:41:11] That brings us to a wrap.

[00:41:13] As Varun tunes out to go watch Harmaima, thank you everybody for listening.

[00:41:17] This has been the Edges and Intellectual Podcast.

[00:41:20] We are at One Tip One Hand on all the social medias.

[00:41:23] OneTipOneHand at gmail.com if you want to ask.

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[00:41:28] Thank you all so much for joining us.

[00:41:30] We will be back next week.

[00:41:32] See you then.

[00:41:33] Give us a no look light.