India v New Zealand First Test Review: 46 All Out!

[00:00:08] Welcome to this week's episode of the Edges & Sledges Cricket Podcast. We always seem to bring you like the highs and the lows and I'm unfortunately DJ I'm remembering the low of 36 for 9 we said we'd not say all out but this week India hit a new kind of low where at home they hit 46 all out. Now let's not get into that reaction straight away but that was the opening so that you guys know what to expect in the next week.

[00:00:38] DJ, how are you doing man? Did you end up watching a large part of the game?

[00:00:43] Yeah I watched most of the game actually. You had the pleasure if I'm not wrong of hosting the 36 for 9 episode as well.

[00:00:51] So you get the best job.

[00:00:54] Yeah as I opened I felt like but listen I got the I had the pleasure of hosting the Gyaaba episode right so I think it balances out.

[00:01:02] True and I was just thinking this is New Zealand's first win in India since 1988 right?

[00:01:08] Yeah that's ridiculous.

[00:01:09] Is this their Gyaaba moment? There hasn't been enough publicity of this moment yet from them.

[00:01:14] That's just and that just tells you about the team right? They didn't even make a big deal about it. They just kind of went about it. Maybe it was the first test but it is a big deal. India doesn't lose that much at home.

[00:01:26] Like you said New Zealand hasn't won in India for a long time and they came in and I mean they've just rocked it man. Like so so let's get into it right DJ. We'll you know we'll we'll break this down.

[00:01:39] We'll keep a view a little bit on after we go through this game on if India needs any changes for the second and third. We'll keep in mind the Australia but let's talk about this test as it stands.

[00:01:49] To me I was excited because you know the test season is beginning. Yes we've played Bangladesh. Yes we did well. There was rain one game. We kind of accelerated. We ensured we got the right win but that was expected.

[00:02:02] And so after coming off of Sri Lanka Bangladesh I was really looking forward to this because New Zealand right even if you look at their side and you may not recognize everybody in this lineup because we don't watch that much test cricket of New Zealand.

[00:02:20] You know and you can be guaranteed that they are a side that is going to show up and fight hard. So it was always going to be exciting.

[00:02:28] DJ before we before we go into the toss team selection any any thoughts there. I think the only real surprise was Sarfraz in for Gil but I think that was an injury related right.

[00:02:42] Yeah it was injury related and if you remember I was actually gunning for Dhruv Jurel to play ahead of Sarfraz because we wanted to prep for Australia right.

[00:02:54] And I had said Rahul I had backed him to carry on in his position. I had said I mean the usual lineup should stay but we didn't know about Gil's injury.

[00:03:08] And I think when asked the question should Sarfraz play instead of KL I had said actually I would prefer for Jurel to play ahead of Sarfraz.

[00:03:17] Happy to be wrong on this occasion as we will no doubt speak further about.

[00:03:23] But yeah it meant that there were lots of slight changes to the lineup right.

[00:03:29] And I wonder how much that affected the equilibrium of the team going into the first innings.

[00:03:34] They won the toss remember as well so that was...

[00:03:38] So let's come to that.

[00:03:40] So let's come to that.

[00:03:41] So we have a I have a very close friend in Bangalore and so he was actually sending videos of the rain the previous day,

[00:03:49] a little bit of rain on the morning of pictures of the clouds.

[00:03:53] And you know he just kind of as he was sending these messages he you know he talks to some of the guys in the group who are a little bit more into cricket.

[00:04:01] And he's just like so you win the toss and you bowl first right.

[00:04:04] This is the age-old mantra in cricket.

[00:04:07] It's cloudy.

[00:04:08] The ball is going to do stuff.

[00:04:10] And Rohit Sharma wins the toss and decides to bat.

[00:04:13] DJ did you like what did you make of that decision?

[00:04:18] Well in hindsight which is clearly 2020 it was a disaster of a decision.

[00:04:25] It was at par with Nasser Hussain choosing to bowl first at the Gabba back in 2003.

[00:04:31] It was probably at par with Soram Ganguly choosing to bowl first in Johannesburg in the 2003 World Cup final.

[00:04:37] But it was just I mean we read the pitch wrong I'd say because we played three spinners.

[00:04:47] So Kuldeep played instead of Akash Deep.

[00:04:51] And we chose to bat first.

[00:04:53] Clearly we thought the pitch is going to turn right.

[00:04:55] And maybe that was a master plan.

[00:04:57] But it had been there have been thunderstorms in Bangalore.

[00:05:00] There's the first day's play was completely washed out.

[00:05:03] I don't know whether the toss happened before that washout day or not.

[00:05:07] Maybe not.

[00:05:08] Maybe it did happen on day two.

[00:05:09] No I think it happened later because I remember it was raining on day two.

[00:05:13] Yeah so we knew that it was going to be a shortened day test match.

[00:05:19] And the pitch had been undercover.

[00:05:21] So I mean I think Rohit acknowledged as much in the…

[00:05:24] Yeah he said when he went to the media after he said Talwar Chalao.

[00:05:28] Talwar Chalao.

[00:05:29] Which wasn't a reference to the…

[00:05:31] Not the Jaddu thing at all.

[00:05:34] No but I think how much of this is being flexible right.

[00:05:37] Because yes the model is three spinners.

[00:05:40] Yes the model is bat first.

[00:05:41] Yes the model is if you're bowling on day five.

[00:05:44] You know you can defend a small total with three spinners.

[00:05:47] I just don't know if they got caught up in that right.

[00:05:50] Because to the average person watching like us.

[00:05:54] We were just like this is a disastrous decision.

[00:05:56] So I don't know.

[00:05:57] It feels like they had premeditated that they want Kuldeep to play.

[00:06:01] They want three spinners.

[00:06:03] But anyway look that's how it went down.

[00:06:06] So it was Ashwin, Jaleja, Kuldeep, Bumrah and Siraj.

[00:06:11] India went out to bat.

[00:06:14] Jaiswal got 13 of 63.

[00:06:18] Not the kind of innings you're used to from Jaiswal.

[00:06:21] Rohit 2 of 16.

[00:06:23] They both got knocked over early.

[00:06:26] And then DJ why don't you just walk us through what followed after that.

[00:06:30] I mean do I have to really?

[00:06:33] Because I think this has been picked over by a lot of experts.

[00:06:37] I mean Kohli.

[00:06:40] Part of this was actually whenever India comes under pressure.

[00:06:45] They try and counter attack.

[00:06:47] And we saw a little bit of that in the second innings as well.

[00:06:49] But I mean it was the ways that we managed to get ourselves out.

[00:06:54] Right.

[00:06:54] I mean Rohit was bowled by Saudi.

[00:06:56] Right.

[00:06:56] Like he comes down the track.

[00:06:59] Ball comes in.

[00:07:00] And I think it hit his leg stump.

[00:07:03] And how many times have we seen Rohit Sharma do that?

[00:07:04] But this time he was just beaten by the movement.

[00:07:07] Right.

[00:07:07] And it was.

[00:07:09] It wasn't great.

[00:07:10] It wasn't good luck.

[00:07:10] Virat Kohli got a good ball.

[00:07:13] It pretty looked like solid plan actually.

[00:07:15] Like he kind of fended at it and took a good catch at leg gully.

[00:07:21] Sarfaras Khan.

[00:07:22] I mean at that point I was like okay maybe you should have played Jurel.

[00:07:25] Not of 3.

[00:07:26] Kohli had got not of 9.

[00:07:28] I mean Rishabh Khan.

[00:07:29] Sarfaras Khan was very disappointed by the end of that first innings.

[00:07:33] Yeah.

[00:07:33] Because you're worried about like you're worried about.

[00:07:36] I actually agree with you on the Jurel part.

[00:07:40] Like part of when I say I think Sarfaras will play earlier.

[00:07:43] It's just because I genuinely think that.

[00:07:45] I don't think that he's better than Jurel technically.

[00:07:48] I just have this gut instinct that this is what's going to happen.

[00:07:51] But when he came out he was missing the ball.

[00:07:55] And then to think that I'll counter attack.

[00:07:59] So he was the three balls.

[00:08:00] I think he missed two.

[00:08:01] And then he said all right let me go into what I do at home in Ranji.

[00:08:04] Which is walk down the pitch and smack it.

[00:08:07] Right.

[00:08:07] And he did that.

[00:08:08] And it was just so ridiculous.

[00:08:10] And yes nobody wants to single him out.

[00:08:13] But somehow that number four wicket always tilts the game.

[00:08:18] Right.

[00:08:18] When they get out like that.

[00:08:19] Yeah and I mean it continued in that vein.

[00:08:23] I mean it was.

[00:08:25] Although Rishabh Pant briefly played some funny shots.

[00:08:30] I think there was a reverse sweep thrown in over Favs Bola.

[00:08:33] But KL Duck, Raveendra Jadeja Duck, Ravichandan Ashwin Duck.

[00:08:38] Guldi Piyadav got two.

[00:08:39] Jaspreet Dumra got one.

[00:08:41] Mahmati Raj got four.

[00:08:43] And it was.

[00:08:44] I mean at one point it looked like we were going to be 36 all out.

[00:08:47] And that would have been pretty bad.

[00:08:49] And they only used three bowlers.

[00:08:51] Tim Southie took one for eight.

[00:08:52] Matt Henry who everybody will remember from that famous New Zealand semi-final against us.

[00:08:57] A few years ago in 2019.

[00:08:58] He took five.

[00:08:59] And Will O'Rourke.

[00:09:01] Four for 22.

[00:09:03] End of story.

[00:09:04] 46 all out.

[00:09:05] And I mean I was shell-shocked man.

[00:09:07] Like you don't expect to turn on the television.

[00:09:11] Like I'd come.

[00:09:12] I probably missed part of the first session.

[00:09:14] I would try and watch the end of the first session or start of the second session.

[00:09:19] But that time I think India were 28 for eight or something like that.

[00:09:23] And I was just like am I reading?

[00:09:25] Like have I woken up?

[00:09:26] Are my eyes like still working?

[00:09:29] What am I reading?

[00:09:30] How is it 28 for eight?

[00:09:31] What is this?

[00:09:32] Awful.

[00:09:33] It was horrible.

[00:09:33] Like just deer in headlights man.

[00:09:36] Caught.

[00:09:39] It was shocking.

[00:09:41] And I was just thinking about this.

[00:09:44] That 45 minutes of bad cricket just doesn't leave us.

[00:09:47] Every year once or twice.

[00:09:49] And this was clearly another one of those disastrous situations.

[00:09:54] It was also too similar to the first test of a series like the 36 all out last time.

[00:09:59] There were like four or five ducks in the middle.

[00:10:05] Nothing clicked.

[00:10:06] The ball was moving.

[00:10:07] I don't know.

[00:10:08] It was just it felt really bad.

[00:10:10] Anyway, we've spoken about this enough.

[00:10:12] We've also dealt with the 36 not out.

[00:10:14] So this is a kind of second innings on that.

[00:10:18] But DJ then let's come to you know suddenly the sun comes out.

[00:10:23] New Zealand come into bat.

[00:10:26] Tevin Conway, who all of us know from his CSK days and his T20 cricket, comes out there.

[00:10:34] And DJ, he just took apart that 46-run lead in no time.

[00:10:40] He hit 91.

[00:10:41] 11-4s, 3-6s at a strike rate of 86.

[00:10:46] Just how good was he?

[00:10:48] How good was it to see him back?

[00:10:49] And how good was he in this opening role?

[00:10:52] I mean, it was good to see him back.

[00:10:57] It was good to see him in that opening role.

[00:11:00] But I mean, yeah, they batted brilliantly, right?

[00:11:07] Like it, India did fight, let's say, with the ball in the second innings.

[00:11:14] We, I mean, we were a long way behind the game after day one.

[00:11:18] I think New Zealand were 180 for three.

[00:11:23] But, yeah, I mean, nothing was happening.

[00:11:26] Bumrah got the ball to move around a little bit.

[00:11:30] It just felt like India, the Indian bowlers were shell-shocked as well.

[00:11:35] But no, I mean, coming back to your original question.

[00:11:38] Yeah, well played, man.

[00:11:41] Like Devin Conway.

[00:11:43] Is that Chennai Super King?

[00:11:44] Yeah.

[00:11:45] Yeah.

[00:11:46] Yes.

[00:11:47] He batted really well.

[00:11:49] He batted really, really well.

[00:11:50] And of course, son of the soil, Ratchin.

[00:11:55] That guy.

[00:11:55] The home ground of Rahul Dravid.

[00:11:58] The first part of his name, according to Folk.

[00:12:00] Yeah.

[00:12:02] He's just, every time I see him, he gets better and better.

[00:12:06] Like he lit up that 2022 World Cup, at least the first half.

[00:12:11] He's, he had a soft IPL, I would say.

[00:12:14] I was expecting him much more from him.

[00:12:16] But in, when I saw him in this test match, he just, again, took the game away from India.

[00:12:24] 134 at a strike rate of 85.

[00:12:27] In a four-day test effectively.

[00:12:29] Scoring fast.

[00:12:30] Putting the pressure on.

[00:12:32] Batting through, I mean, batting through the tough, tough periods.

[00:12:38] Getting through to bat with the tail.

[00:12:41] Now, Tim Saudi gave him great support.

[00:12:44] 65 of 73.

[00:12:46] More than the entire Indian team.

[00:12:48] It's, it's absolutely more than the whole team.

[00:12:51] We have seen this too often with a Sam Curran and other lower order guys who just, just don't let us get that in role.

[00:12:59] Right.

[00:12:59] And, and a 65 on its own is okay.

[00:13:03] Maybe you could live with it once in a while.

[00:13:05] 65 paired with that 134.

[00:13:08] DJ, that just took the game away.

[00:13:09] Right.

[00:13:10] New Zealand ended at 402.

[00:13:11] Yeah.

[00:13:11] I mean, you had Conway make 91.

[00:13:13] Ratchin made 134.

[00:13:15] Saudi made 65.

[00:13:17] And honestly, it's the Saudi and Ratchin partnership that, let's say, put the nail in the Indian coffin.

[00:13:22] Because we had bowled well on that day three beginning.

[00:13:26] We had made inroads.

[00:13:28] We picked up, I think, four wickets.

[00:13:29] So, they were seven down for 233.

[00:13:33] And then, I mean, that's under 200 almost.

[00:13:38] Yeah.

[00:13:39] We could have hoped to keep the lead under 200.

[00:13:41] But, I mean, Saudi, when he got out, the score was 370, man.

[00:13:48] And he'd hit sixes.

[00:13:52] Yeah.

[00:13:54] They added almost 140.

[00:13:56] I mean, I was thinking about it as you're talking.

[00:13:57] Yes.

[00:13:58] I mean, if we had even given them a 40-run partnership instead of the 140, this would have been a very different game.

[00:14:05] Yeah.

[00:14:06] So, that, you're right.

[00:14:07] That, obviously, the 46 all out changed the game.

[00:14:10] But that partnership, I think, broke India's chances completely.

[00:14:14] I mean, if you're all out for 46 and your opposition gets 402, in most worlds, you're done for, right?

[00:14:24] In that third innings, you lose by an inning.

[00:14:27] So, at that point, most teams would be looking to avoid an innings defeat.

[00:14:31] Even that would require a superhuman effort to bat out in the second innings.

[00:14:37] Absolutely.

[00:14:39] So, before we get to the second innings of India, DJ, I just want to ask you one question before the break.

[00:14:47] What's your take on Mohamed Siraj?

[00:14:49] There's been a lot of chat about him.

[00:14:51] Now, he's five years in, I think, in his career.

[00:14:54] He is, let me give you my view.

[00:14:57] I think he's a workhorse.

[00:14:58] I think he's a guy you want on that team.

[00:15:00] You know, when the going gets tough, I think he can bowl 30 overs a day, 40 overs a day if needed, right?

[00:15:06] With the same intensity.

[00:15:10] But my sense is just that he's not the second pacer.

[00:15:13] He's almost like a third pacer in overseas conditions.

[00:15:17] So, when you've got options with guys like Akash Deep who may move the ball, they are young.

[00:15:23] And there will be other options in the absence of Shami.

[00:15:26] What's your take on Siraj?

[00:15:28] Is he the partner to Bumrah?

[00:15:31] Or does India need to think a little bit differently?

[00:15:35] I mean, it's a good question.

[00:15:36] It's difficult for him right now because you would have thought that he would have performed a bit better in these conditions given what New Zealand did to us, right?

[00:15:46] But he didn't really cover himself in glory.

[00:15:51] He's very much a third seamer if Shami is fit.

[00:15:54] Who is…

[00:15:55] And you sent us the link saying Shami had a full session in Bangalore on the sidelines of the test match.

[00:16:00] I mean, how much would India have loved to do a quick super sub?

[00:16:05] Yeah, imagine.

[00:16:06] Impact player.

[00:16:07] All of a sudden, Kuldeep says, oh, I've got a concussion in my head and he leaves.

[00:16:11] And then suddenly, Shami comes in.

[00:16:14] Yeah, bowling.

[00:16:15] Like he did in that warm-up game in the last World Cup.

[00:16:20] Last over.

[00:16:21] Yeah, chilling in that warm-up game.

[00:16:23] The game is done.

[00:16:24] Everything is finished.

[00:16:25] They toss Shami in the ball who hasn't bowled forever.

[00:16:27] He's got like four wickets in that over.

[00:16:30] Yeah.

[00:16:31] But no, I think he's definitely a third seamer.

[00:16:34] He's had his moments in one-day cricket.

[00:16:37] He's had his…

[00:16:38] With the new ball.

[00:16:39] So, he's definitely been a great performer for India in white ball cricket.

[00:16:46] I think in test cricket, he is very much still a third seamer.

[00:16:53] But in the absence of Shami, the question is, has he been able to step up to that second seamer spot?

[00:16:59] I can't remember any spectacular test performances.

[00:17:04] But maybe I'm missing something here.

[00:17:06] I don't know.

[00:17:07] No, I agree with you.

[00:17:08] I was also…

[00:17:09] My view is he's the third seamer.

[00:17:10] I think in the absence of Shami in Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, I think he can come good.

[00:17:19] But even in India, like, you know, you think of like, he's not at an Umesh Yadav level.

[00:17:24] Umesh Yadav has played like I think the maximum India test in the last decade or something.

[00:17:28] He's not at that level where you're just bringing in somebody in who's good, who can bowl when everyone's having a rest.

[00:17:34] He's a top bowler, right, for India.

[00:17:37] So, I just…

[00:17:38] I don't know.

[00:17:38] I'm just expecting a little bit more.

[00:17:39] But I don't know who the second seamer would be in the absence of Siraj even.

[00:17:44] I mean, everyone seems to be a good third seamer.

[00:17:47] You've got Akash Deep.

[00:17:49] I'd say Mukesh Kumar.

[00:17:51] Why has he disappeared?

[00:17:52] Because he played some test matches for India.

[00:17:54] I think he made his…

[00:17:55] In South Africa.

[00:17:56] But he made his debut within like three days in all three formats or something like that.

[00:18:00] Yeah.

[00:18:01] Something ridiculous.

[00:18:03] And who else?

[00:18:04] Prasid Krishna.

[00:18:05] He's out after one test.

[00:18:07] Two test matches in South Africa.

[00:18:10] Navdeep Saini has come in the news recently saying he's been bowling fast.

[00:18:13] I'm just trying to go through the names of bowlers that we…

[00:18:17] Yeah, yeah.

[00:18:17] Even…

[00:18:18] I think Ashdeep is not in a test consideration.

[00:18:21] Ashdeep isn't there.

[00:18:22] Was that lefty that we picked, right, recently?

[00:18:24] In the squad?

[00:18:25] Khalil?

[00:18:26] Is it Khalil?

[00:18:28] I thought we picked another lefty.

[00:18:31] I'm sure there's…

[00:18:32] I don't know.

[00:18:32] But like there's a Mayank Yadav.

[00:18:33] I think these guys have to be groomed for the short game first.

[00:18:36] This is too intense.

[00:18:37] Yeah.

[00:18:37] To bring them into the long format, especially in India.

[00:18:42] But yeah, I mean, look, he's…

[00:18:45] I think we've addressed it.

[00:18:46] I think he's the third pacer.

[00:18:48] And we have a lot of third paces, right?

[00:18:50] Like he needs to step up to the plate of being the second seamer.

[00:18:54] Taking three, four, five wickets.

[00:18:56] Supporting Boom with the new ball and beyond.

[00:19:02] Absolutely.

[00:19:03] All right.

[00:19:04] On that note, we're going to take a very quick break.

[00:19:06] And we'll be right back.

[00:19:16] Welcome back after the break.

[00:19:18] So, DJ, before that India second inning started,

[00:19:22] do you think they watched the VBS Lakshman and Rahul Ravid partnership from 2001?

[00:19:28] No.

[00:19:28] In Eden.

[00:19:29] No.

[00:19:30] Definitely not.

[00:19:31] Don't they?

[00:19:32] You don't think Gambeer had a big screen out there that was just playing that on loop?

[00:19:37] Not at all.

[00:19:38] In fact, I mean, 36 were allowed.

[00:19:42] I would have just hoped to get a word in innings defeat at that point.

[00:19:46] Honestly, like that.

[00:19:47] I don't think that amount of deficit has ever been overturned in test cricket, has it?

[00:19:53] I'm sure it cannot.

[00:19:55] It couldn't.

[00:19:55] I mean, it's too big.

[00:19:57] For me, it's too big.

[00:19:59] Genuinely, it's too big.

[00:20:01] But they did well, DJ.

[00:20:04] They like at one point, they had us believing.

[00:20:07] That's the worst part about being an Indian fan.

[00:20:10] That's the worst.

[00:20:10] It is.

[00:20:10] Yeah.

[00:20:11] I mean, you see Jaeswal jumping out, missing one and getting stumped.

[00:20:15] You're like, what are you doing, dude?

[00:20:17] That was ridiculous.

[00:20:18] This is a text match.

[00:20:19] But that's how this team plays.

[00:20:21] Like, Rohit plays.

[00:20:22] We scored at five runs and over in that second innings.

[00:20:27] I mean, it was incredible.

[00:20:29] It was actually that partnership between Kohli and Sarfara.

[00:20:31] It was actually quite comedic as well.

[00:20:34] I don't know.

[00:20:35] Because remember, these guys played together at RC week when Kohli was captain.

[00:20:38] Yeah.

[00:20:38] Where he told you, you need to lose weight.

[00:20:40] Then we'll retain you.

[00:20:42] He actually retained him also.

[00:20:43] But then he dropped him because he wasn't fit enough.

[00:20:46] How long has Sarfara been around?

[00:20:49] Because he's 26 or something.

[00:20:52] Really?

[00:20:53] And I remember all of this.

[00:20:55] He played two Under-19 World Cups.

[00:20:56] I remember that.

[00:20:57] Because he scored 100 in the Under-19 World Cup final.

[00:21:01] Which I think, I want to say, who was a Delhi Daredevil's batsman?

[00:21:07] Unmukh Chan.

[00:21:09] Unmukh Chan who was bowled by Brickley in the first ball.

[00:21:12] Of the IPL.

[00:21:13] That was the best start to the IPL ever.

[00:21:17] Yeah.

[00:21:17] Sorry for going on that tangent.

[00:21:19] But I think he played under Unmukh Chan in the Under-19 World Cup.

[00:21:25] Unmukh Chan is now 30 plus and retired.

[00:21:28] And he was gone to the US and didn't get picked in the US team for the World Cup.

[00:21:31] Which is the worst bichara.

[00:21:34] Wow.

[00:21:35] But I think he played under Unmukh Chan.

[00:21:38] I think so.

[00:21:40] Maybe I'm wrong.

[00:21:40] Yeah.

[00:21:41] And I'm just reading as you're talking.

[00:21:43] So he's 26 years old.

[00:21:45] He got picked for that RCB side where he got retained in 2015.

[00:21:52] What?

[00:21:53] So 9 years ago.

[00:21:54] So he was 17.

[00:21:56] Just 16, 17.

[00:21:57] When he got retained.

[00:21:59] Dude, this doesn't sound right.

[00:21:59] When he got retained.

[00:22:01] Like, and he definitely looked half his size then.

[00:22:06] But dude, I mean, what a comeback story, right?

[00:22:08] Like, he left Bombay.

[00:22:11] Went to Assam.

[00:22:12] Where did he go to play?

[00:22:13] What are his teams on clicking for?

[00:22:14] I think he went to Assam or somewhere.

[00:22:17] I'll try and put it up.

[00:22:19] But then he came back to Mumbai.

[00:22:21] And he just reeled off 100 after 100.

[00:22:23] 200.

[00:22:24] 300.

[00:22:25] 100 after 100.

[00:22:26] 200.

[00:22:27] 300.

[00:22:27] He made like aggressive gestures when he made a 100.

[00:22:31] And people said he had an attitude problem.

[00:22:33] There's that.

[00:22:34] Made his test debut in the England series.

[00:22:36] Got four 50 plus scores in a row.

[00:22:39] And I mean, if there was ever a time to prove your critics wrong.

[00:22:46] It's probably when India 346 runs behind.

[00:22:49] Virat Kohli is at the other side.

[00:22:52] Virat Kohli goes on the last ball of the day.

[00:22:54] That was...

[00:22:55] It was too much, man.

[00:22:56] That was just...

[00:22:57] That was too much, man.

[00:22:59] It was bought.

[00:22:59] And he reviewed it.

[00:23:00] And he took a second run.

[00:23:01] And he took a second run.

[00:23:03] Yeah.

[00:23:03] That was just...

[00:23:04] Like, he could have taken one.

[00:23:06] But Kohli's athleticism didn't allow him to do that.

[00:23:09] He went back for the second.

[00:23:10] He's like, my steps?

[00:23:11] I need to get my Fitbit steps out.

[00:23:12] Yeah.

[00:23:12] He's looked at it.

[00:23:14] Sarfraz has finished his month's steps.

[00:23:18] Kohli's like, I'm short for my day.

[00:23:21] And then he edges it and he takes a review.

[00:23:23] But I'm like, dude.

[00:23:25] But isn't one review just reserved for Kohli?

[00:23:27] Yeah.

[00:23:28] Except when he hit it once and didn't review it.

[00:23:30] In the last test match against Bangladesh.

[00:23:33] Oh, he did?

[00:23:34] Yeah.

[00:23:34] He hit the ground and he walked off.

[00:23:37] Anyway.

[00:23:38] Maybe he didn't want to bat against Bangladesh or something.

[00:23:40] I don't know.

[00:23:41] But yeah.

[00:23:42] And then Sarfraz and Pant, man.

[00:23:45] That was great to watch, sir.

[00:23:46] It was exciting.

[00:23:47] That was great.

[00:23:48] Like, it was tough.

[00:23:49] For those three hours or so, nothing else mattered.

[00:23:52] I was just sitting in front of the TV.

[00:23:55] And they both play a similar style, right?

[00:23:58] They've got a similar vibe to them, I have to say.

[00:24:02] Yeah.

[00:24:02] They've got a chilled out vibe.

[00:24:04] They've been at Delhi Capitals together.

[00:24:06] Judging now by the age, they probably played under 19.

[00:24:10] Maybe it was the Pant.

[00:24:13] Maybe it was the Pant team that he played together.

[00:24:16] Maybe.

[00:24:16] That makes more sense.

[00:24:17] Given the…

[00:24:18] Age-wise.

[00:24:19] Not the Unmukcha.

[00:24:19] Yeah.

[00:24:21] Yeah, exactly.

[00:24:22] Given the age.

[00:24:22] Otherwise, he was playing when he was 10 or something.

[00:24:26] Which does feel like he's been around that long.

[00:24:28] But it was so good, dude.

[00:24:31] Like, they were…

[00:24:31] Between them, like, 76 strike rate, 94 strike rate.

[00:24:35] This is just…

[00:24:36] Did you see the run that they took?

[00:24:37] Like, Pant was just strolling back.

[00:24:39] And remember, Pant is the one with the ninjiri.

[00:24:41] So, he's not kept in the innings.

[00:24:44] In the New Zealand inning.

[00:24:45] Pant is strolling for the second one.

[00:24:48] And this guy is, like, sending him back, waving his hand.

[00:24:51] In the middle of the pitch.

[00:24:52] In the middle of the pitch.

[00:24:53] Pant is not even looked.

[00:24:55] He's just like, this is definitely two.

[00:24:56] I'm just going to jog the second one.

[00:24:58] And Sark Paraj is, like, doing a full dance.

[00:25:00] That was a great moment.

[00:25:01] But yeah, I mean…

[00:25:02] That was a great moment.

[00:25:03] It was a disaster moment also.

[00:25:05] Like, it was just a bad throw.

[00:25:07] But there was still enough time for the keeper to turn around and still hit the stumps.

[00:25:10] Like, it was…

[00:25:11] But if the keeper just stayed where he was, that was out.

[00:25:13] Yeah.

[00:25:14] Yeah.

[00:25:14] Yeah.

[00:25:15] It was just a lapse for some second for New Zealand.

[00:25:19] Yeah.

[00:25:20] But it was great.

[00:25:20] I mean, that was a great partnership.

[00:25:22] That's the kind of partnership that you, like…

[00:25:25] Makes test cricket worth watching.

[00:25:27] Like, it must be so irritating for Tom Latham, right?

[00:25:30] As a captain.

[00:25:31] Just watching those two guys do their thing.

[00:25:33] Hit sixes.

[00:25:34] And it's…

[00:25:36] It's the run.

[00:25:36] They hit 170 runs.

[00:25:39] Yeah.

[00:25:39] So, I'm trying to do…

[00:25:41] Ashwin is not here.

[00:25:42] I'm trying to do the math.

[00:25:44] 36 overs, 170 runs.

[00:25:48] That's about four runs a little over.

[00:25:49] Just under.

[00:25:50] I mean, that's ridiculous.

[00:25:51] That's ridiculous, right?

[00:25:52] Five runs a little over.

[00:25:53] Five, yeah.

[00:25:53] Just under five, yeah.

[00:25:56] But anyway.

[00:25:57] And so then, Sarfraz, I think…

[00:26:01] I'm just very, very happy to see him.

[00:26:03] Still, I'm not saying that I'm convinced he will work in Australia against the Australian bowlers on Australian pitches.

[00:26:08] But he just stuck in there and fought, right?

[00:26:13] So, I give him a lot of credit there.

[00:26:15] Pant, on the other hand, does it in every country.

[00:26:17] He plays the same way.

[00:26:20] He is, you know, watchful at the start.

[00:26:23] Says, bring it on.

[00:26:24] DJ, did you see when they took the new ball?

[00:26:27] I think he hit 107 meters six of Saudi.

[00:26:31] Yeah.

[00:26:32] And there's a whole…

[00:26:34] Jared Kimba, Good Areas article on this.

[00:26:36] About how that ball may have lost India at the Test match.

[00:26:42] Because they changed the ball.

[00:26:43] Why?

[00:26:43] They changed the ball.

[00:26:44] Oh, they changed the ball.

[00:26:46] It was like the MS Dhoni six in the RCB.

[00:26:49] There, Yashael got a dry ball.

[00:26:53] Here, New Zealand got a different ball.

[00:26:55] And if you look at the stats after the six, I think it was 50 for seven or something.

[00:26:59] Pulled out.

[00:27:00] Yeah.

[00:27:00] That was a collapse.

[00:27:01] The trigger of the collapse was actually Rishabh Pant.

[00:27:03] Just casually down on one knee, sweeping Saudi out of the ground.

[00:27:09] For six, dude.

[00:27:10] I mean, it sounds so ridiculous.

[00:27:12] It actually went out of the ground.

[00:27:13] Yeah.

[00:27:13] It actually went out.

[00:27:14] It sounds so ridiculous when you say it.

[00:27:16] But wasn't that around the time of the new ball anyway?

[00:27:19] Do you think…

[00:27:20] No, no.

[00:27:20] It was a new ball that he hit for six.

[00:27:23] Correct.

[00:27:23] The first new ball was lost.

[00:27:24] Then they got a second new ball.

[00:27:27] So, you're saying that…

[00:27:28] Which is actually the third new ball, technically.

[00:27:30] Because the second new ball was lost in Caban Park.

[00:27:35] So, oh, and so what you're saying is that they basically started from a new ball again.

[00:27:39] So, the 8-9 overs that had passed…

[00:27:41] Yeah.

[00:27:41] Or the ball moved more.

[00:27:44] It's a different ball, right?

[00:27:45] It's not that scientific.

[00:27:47] Not all of them behave the same.

[00:27:49] Some swing more.

[00:27:49] Some seem less.

[00:27:50] Some have a better seam.

[00:27:52] It's not a scientific thing.

[00:27:54] So, the…

[00:27:55] Okay, got it.

[00:27:56] The ball they replaced.

[00:27:58] It's just the ball changes.

[00:27:59] Actually got more…

[00:28:00] Got wickets.

[00:28:01] Pant got cramped out for 99.

[00:28:03] He's got 607 90s.

[00:28:06] Yeah, dude.

[00:28:07] It's just ridiculous.

[00:28:07] He's almost got out on every score in the 90s now.

[00:28:10] Yeah.

[00:28:11] And I think a lot of those at home, if I'm not mistaken.

[00:28:14] Yeah.

[00:28:15] That is true, actually.

[00:28:16] I mean, he's had a few…

[00:28:17] Look, I'm not counting the not outs.

[00:28:19] He's had an 89 not out, a 93 or something like that.

[00:28:22] 97.

[00:28:22] I can't remember what that number is.

[00:28:24] No, Sydney also got out in 90s, right?

[00:28:26] 97.

[00:28:27] Haa, 90s.

[00:28:28] Yes, 97.

[00:28:29] That's the one.

[00:28:29] And then Gabba was 89 not out.

[00:28:32] But I just feel like at home, it's a lot more.

[00:28:35] I don't know why.

[00:28:36] Maybe he's just anxious to get there with this big six.

[00:28:38] Maybe it's just like small ground.

[00:28:39] I'll hit a six.

[00:28:40] But here, actually, Poga was trying to hit a one for once.

[00:28:45] And anyway, when the six happened, Rahul's face was just in disbelief.

[00:28:49] And when Pant got out, actually, you could see Rahul was shell-shocked.

[00:28:52] And then KL's face was in disbelief as he nicked one behind again.

[00:28:57] Yeah.

[00:28:58] And that's when it just started.

[00:28:59] And then Janeja hit a rubbish shot.

[00:29:00] And then Ashwin got us.

[00:29:02] I mean, to be honest, yeah, to be honest, these guys, they got us.

[00:29:06] I mean, 433 for 5 with Rahul, Janeja and Ashwin to follow.

[00:29:11] You are thinking that this could be a 600, right?

[00:29:13] Yeah, but tell me, when are middle order and our top order will both bat together?

[00:29:19] Why can't they ever bat together?

[00:29:21] It just doesn't work.

[00:29:23] It just doesn't work.

[00:29:24] It's like, okay, the top order has taken holiday today.

[00:29:28] So, middle order will bat today.

[00:29:30] Top order is mid-runs.

[00:29:32] Middle order won't make runs.

[00:29:33] What?

[00:29:35] It's a disaster.

[00:29:37] I mean, I was expecting...

[00:29:38] So, India ended up at 462.

[00:29:41] Effectively, with New Zealand to chase 107.

[00:29:46] I, at the bare minimum, expected 100 more runs from those three guys.

[00:29:52] Janeja and Ashwin.

[00:29:53] And I'm not saying I wanted Ashwin to hit another century.

[00:29:56] No.

[00:29:57] 33 runs per person more is what my base level expected.

[00:30:01] Yeah, because the pitch was not seemingly doing that much.

[00:30:04] You see the dismissals, right?

[00:30:05] Rahul catch one behind.

[00:30:07] Ashwin got one.

[00:30:09] Okay, that was a good baller.

[00:30:10] But Jadeja slapped one to cover.

[00:30:11] Even Sarfraz, the way he got out.

[00:30:15] That was not a great shot, right?

[00:30:17] He hadn't played those kinds of shots.

[00:30:19] He had hit over the top.

[00:30:20] But that was a bit of a weird shot on 150.

[00:30:23] Maybe he lost concentration after getting to 150.

[00:30:25] I don't know.

[00:30:26] But that was the moment to do something special.

[00:30:30] Yeah.

[00:30:31] Right?

[00:30:32] Correct.

[00:30:33] And actually for Rahul, right?

[00:30:35] Because you've been in and out.

[00:30:36] You've been up and down the order.

[00:30:39] And they have changed their whole order to accommodate Rahul at 6, by the way.

[00:30:43] Kohli went up to 3.

[00:30:44] He has an average of 19 or something.

[00:30:47] Yeah.

[00:30:47] Sarfraz is batting at 4.

[00:30:49] Again, not his position.

[00:30:50] Even Pant is sticking to 5 to accommodate Rahul at 6.

[00:30:54] So, it's almost like they are seeing him in this role for the foreseeable future.

[00:30:59] And they want him to cement it.

[00:31:01] Which I don't agree with.

[00:31:02] But I just expected more.

[00:31:05] Like I said, another 30 runs each from these three guys.

[00:31:08] And I think it would have been a different story.

[00:31:10] As it turns out, New Zealand made it very comfortably.

[00:31:14] Boomba got the ball to do a little bit at the start.

[00:31:16] A beautiful delivery to Latham.

[00:31:19] Got Conway out.

[00:31:20] But then Will Young and Ratchit Ravindra just easily, I think just very, very easily finished off this game.

[00:31:28] They caught their 110, 27 overs.

[00:31:30] And that was it, man.

[00:31:33] The game was done.

[00:31:34] Interestingly for everyone hoping for rain, I heard that today it was raining cats and dogs in Bagelow.

[00:31:41] To the point that a match would have been called off.

[00:31:43] So, DJ, second and third test very quickly.

[00:31:47] What changes?

[00:31:49] Like if Gill is fit, does he come back?

[00:31:52] Does Rahul go out?

[00:31:53] Do we try Natash Deep instead of Siraj?

[00:31:59] And I do want to put one more plug that, you know, the domestic season is going on.

[00:32:04] So, Ayer has scored a century.

[00:32:06] Pujara, when I last checked, was batting, I think, close to double hundred.

[00:32:10] And Washington Sundar hit a hundred.

[00:32:13] And Washington Sundar has actually been added to the squad.

[00:32:18] So, Ayer and Pujara I was mentioning, but they are not in discussion.

[00:32:21] Sundar comes in.

[00:32:23] What happens?

[00:32:24] What happens to the squad now?

[00:32:26] Second and third test.

[00:32:27] You are behind.

[00:32:28] Keep in mind that you have got a tough series to come.

[00:32:30] You have the World Test Championship in sight.

[00:32:34] What happens from here?

[00:32:37] So, I actually think we're playing at Puna where I suppose there's going to be a slow turn.

[00:32:46] I actually think Rahul will go out for Gill if Gill is fit.

[00:32:55] So, if Gill is fit, Rahul will be replaced by Gill and Gill will go back to his number three spot.

[00:33:01] Everybody will drop down one.

[00:33:03] If Pant is unfit, I suspect Jarrell will play instead.

[00:33:10] Because Rohit said something like, we need to keep him wrapped in cotton wool.

[00:33:13] He's too special a player.

[00:33:15] Extra careful or something.

[00:33:17] I actually think they should just rest Pant.

[00:33:20] Because he's too crucial for the Australia ho.

[00:33:22] So, give him a test matchup.

[00:33:25] Jarrell looked good behind the stumps and he's a damn good batter.

[00:33:28] I really like the look of Jarrell.

[00:33:33] So, I would swap Pant for Jarrell.

[00:33:36] Just for precaution right now.

[00:33:38] You don't need to win all of these games right now.

[00:33:41] It's not come to a do or die must have.

[00:33:43] It's a nice to have situation right now.

[00:33:44] So, keep Pant fit for Oz.

[00:33:47] That leaves us with the interesting question of Vashi Sundar.

[00:33:50] I actually think he's going to replace Kuldeep.

[00:33:54] Playing that Akshar kind of role.

[00:33:58] But why would you have got Akshar?

[00:33:59] Why do you want somebody who can play an Akshar type of role?

[00:34:02] I wonder whether it's because there are so many left-handers in the team.

[00:34:06] In the New Zealand team.

[00:34:08] Bowling.

[00:34:09] So, he's bowling.

[00:34:10] He bowls offspin.

[00:34:11] And he has a dog called Gabba.

[00:34:14] So, again this is all prep for Oz, right?

[00:34:17] Like, this is all leading up to, say, at the Gabba Ash.

[00:34:24] Gosh.

[00:34:25] I couldn't.

[00:34:26] I just don't understand the Sundar.

[00:34:29] The Washington Sundar.

[00:34:30] I agree with everything you said about Gale and Jarrell.

[00:34:33] And I'm saying Akash Thiep.

[00:34:35] But I just didn't understand this Washington Sundar move.

[00:34:38] No.

[00:34:39] Maybe it won't be.

[00:34:40] Maybe they've just caught him in because they want him to be around the team.

[00:34:45] But, I mean, Conway got 91.

[00:34:49] But, I mean, equally you'd argue that if Ashwin can't get a left-hander out, who in the world can't, right?

[00:34:55] I think 50% of his test wickets are left-handers.

[00:34:58] And 50% of all batters are not left-handers.

[00:35:01] So, that just tells you how many left-handed wickets he's taking.

[00:35:06] Absolutely.

[00:35:07] So, let's see.

[00:35:08] It's not a long gap, actually.

[00:35:10] We're recording Monday night, India time.

[00:35:13] And the next test is on Thursday.

[00:35:14] So, we've basically got two days to see how this unfolds.

[00:35:18] And we'll be back to discuss the next test.

[00:35:22] DJ Quick, shout out to the New Zealand women's...

[00:35:24] What a day for New Zealand, right?

[00:35:27] T20 World Cup.

[00:35:28] What a day indeed.

[00:35:29] And spare a thought for South Africa.

[00:35:34] They've hit two T20 World Cup finals in the last three to four months.

[00:35:40] And come out on the wrong side of both.

[00:35:42] Just very, very unfortunate.

[00:35:44] But huge shout out to the New Zealand team.

[00:35:47] Congratulations for winning.

[00:35:48] I mean, favourites always, Australia and India.

[00:35:51] I think New Zealand had lost 10 T20s in a row before this World Cup.

[00:35:55] Yeah.

[00:35:56] And they beat India.

[00:35:59] In the first shock of the tournament.

[00:36:03] Yes.

[00:36:03] Which is the biggest...

[00:36:05] I mean, which is the reason India has knocked out.

[00:36:07] I mean, India didn't help themselves.

[00:36:09] And then Pakistan imploded completely.

[00:36:12] I mean, if you follow this Women's World Cup,

[00:36:14] there have been some serious comedy moments in that World Cup.

[00:36:18] Of course, India lost to Australia.

[00:36:20] Harman Preet played a good knock.

[00:36:23] But some questionable decisions in that last over.

[00:36:25] I mean, I think Ashwin was trying to tease me comparing her to MS Dhoni.

[00:36:29] And I'm like, Dhoni would not be taking any singles in the last over.

[00:36:32] There's no chance.

[00:36:33] Yeah, Dhoni sends them back.

[00:36:34] Yeah, he sent Raidu back.

[00:36:35] Don't you remember?

[00:36:36] He said...

[00:36:37] Yeah.

[00:36:38] He sent Ashwin back also in an IPL game where he hit four sixes.

[00:36:42] Yeah, so...

[00:36:43] I mean...

[00:36:44] But even then, India had a chance because it only lost by nine runs, I think.

[00:36:49] But that meant that Pakistan had to beat New Zealand,

[00:36:51] which they were on track to doing.

[00:36:54] Because they only needed to get 110 runs or something.

[00:36:57] But of course, there was a Pakistan qualification angle

[00:37:00] in which case they had to win it in 10 point something over.

[00:37:03] So, they went for it and got bowled out for 50 something.

[00:37:08] Which meant India obviously went out.

[00:37:10] Then South Africa shocked Australia,

[00:37:13] who was basically...

[00:37:14] Ali Sahili was injured.

[00:37:15] Lots of injuries.

[00:37:16] Yeah.

[00:37:17] But still, big team to beat.

[00:37:19] And yeah, South Africa makes the final.

[00:37:22] New Zealand gets past the West Indies.

[00:37:25] Quite a close game, to be fair.

[00:37:27] And then, yeah.

[00:37:29] Congratulations to the...

[00:37:30] To the...

[00:37:32] T20...

[00:37:33] World T20 Women's Champions.

[00:37:35] Is it their first...

[00:37:38] T20 trophy, I think, the women's team?

[00:37:41] I don't know.

[00:37:42] Because I was hearing something that they...

[00:37:44] They won something in 2010.

[00:37:47] But...

[00:37:48] I think they lost the final to Australia in 2010.

[00:37:51] Elise Perry, I think, bowled that last over.

[00:37:54] Yeah.

[00:37:56] Interesting.

[00:37:57] Interesting.

[00:37:58] But yes, they...

[00:37:59] They broke the curse that New Zealand has had for the last 10-15 years.

[00:38:04] An ICC trophy.

[00:38:05] Well, they won the World Test Championship final, don't forget.

[00:38:08] They did.

[00:38:08] They did.

[00:38:09] Absolutely against India.

[00:38:10] We won't forget.

[00:38:11] So...

[00:38:12] We never forget that.

[00:38:14] So...

[00:38:14] Anyway, on that note, guys.

[00:38:16] That's the episode.

[00:38:18] We will see you next week.

[00:38:20] As always, please like and subscribe.

[00:38:22] Follow us.

[00:38:23] And yeah.

[00:38:25] We look forward to chatting from the second test.

[00:38:27] Thank you.