Yes, the cricket world is waiting for the India vs England series to resume. After two intense Tests in Hyderabad and Vizag, there was a lull before the storm as the teams enjoyed a week’s break. But, plenty happened. Even as the buzz has been around the Rajkot Test, a BCCI diktat to players dominated the narrative on social media. Reports have suggested that BCCI was not happy with players skipping Ranji Trophy duties to prepare for IPL 2024. Why should the players prioritise Ranji Trophy? Yes, the domestic red-ball tournament is part of Indian cricket’s rich tradition, but have the selectors rewarded Ranji Trophy performances while picking squads for the senior national teams? Go ask, Jalaj Saxena. Also, where is the continuity in terms of selection? Avesh Khan, who was part of the first two Tests, has not been picked for the remainder of the series. Why no place for Cheteshwar Pujara? Yes, India’s envious domestic structure is something that needs to be preserved. But at what cost? Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss why it’s not entirely right to blame players in the latest episode of the Sledging Room. We answer this in the Sledging Room! Tune in! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

Yes, Jasprit Bumrah bowled one of the greatest spells of reverse swing bowling by an Indian fast bowler in Vizag. But, what about R Ashwin? 9 wickets in 2 Tests while Tom Hartley, who made his debut in Hyderabad, has 5 more than the Indian off-spinner. Is it just a lean patch for R Ashwin or is that he needs rank-turners to pick up heaps of wickets? Well, we are not saying this. On several occasions, former spinners have attributed Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's incredible numbers to the nature of pitches in India. Hyderabad and Vizag were not rank-turners, but traditional Indian pitches that offer more turn as the Test match progresses. Okay, let us ask you this. Can this Indian side be beaten again? From the Vizag Test showing, were you convinced that India can go on and win the series? Or do England have it in them to land another punch? We answer this in the Sledging Room! Tune in! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

Okay, let’s start with an apology. An apology to England, their captain Ben Stokes, their head coach ‘Baz’ McCullum and their much-talked-about approach, Bazball. Bazball won’t work in Pakistan, they said. Bazball won’t work against Australia in the Ashes, they said.  Bazball has no chance against India in India, they said.  Stokes’s all-conquering England side have proved naysayers wrong, and have done so in some style with the flair and fearlessness that McCullum was known for in his playing days. Questions have to be asked of India, especially captain Rohit Sharma. Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan have launched into his captaincy as a lack of proactive approach in Hyderabad cost India. Rohit was happy to sit back and wait for things to happen, while Ben Stokes made things happen on the field. Was Rahul Dravid not overseeing things when Ollie Pope was reverse-sweeping the Indian spinners? Why did experienced R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja fail in the second innings? Were they spooked by England’s approach? Is this England’s best chance to push for a Test series win in India? Do you think Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma are capable enough to challenge the intimidating approach from England? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss the Hyderabad heist and the Gabba thriller. Tune In! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Barring the circus in Pakistan cricket, nothing has offfered more entertainment to world cricket like the Bazball in the last two years. The term was coined by an English journalist and it is derived from England men's Test team head coach Brendon McCullum's nickname 'Baz'. Does the legendary batter approve of it? Well, no! Brendon McCullum hates generalising England's new approach and the coinage of the term 'Bazball'. He believes there is more to their approach than just scoring at close to 6 runs per over. The former New Zealand captain, who took over as England's Test coach in 2022, has revolutionised the way England have played Test cricket. Yes, England have achieved away wins, notably in Pakistan and New Zealand. But, are they capable of breaching the fortress in India? Will India prepare rank-turners? Will such pitches help the future of Test cricket? Have India not learned their lessons from the past? Should there be more balance between bat and ball? Also, let's address the big question. Will Virat Kohli's absence hurt India? It definitely will, but the hosts have players who can step up. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer now have an opportunity to play together. For Bazball, the India series might prove to be make-or-break! Buckle up, the next 2 months are going to be an exciting ride. Listen in! Produced and Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Rohit Sharma’s return to T20I cricket has been underwhelming, but it's quite clear that the team management and selectors have zeroed in on the senior campaigner to lead India at the T20 World Cup. There's no doubting Sharma's class and a couple of good knocks in the IPL might be enough for him to book his ticket to the USA and the West Indies. On the other hand, Virat Kohli, like he always does, has stirred up debates with his first outing in T20I cricket in 14 months. The former captain, who is known for being an accumulator and an anchor, came out all guns firing in Indore against Afghanistan. Virat Kohli slog-sweep a spinner. Yes, you read that right. But, is that the Virat that India needs? Does this version of the star batter suit the team's needs? Would it not be wise for India to have the 'anchor' on what is expected to be slow pitches in the West Indies in the T20 World Cup? And have India found a proper back-up option for Hardik Pandya? Is it only a back-up or a replacement option? Shivam Dube is busy requesting MS Dhoni to give him a couple of overs for CSK in IPL 2024. Will 'Mahi Bhai' listen? India need Dube to sharpen his bowling skills ahead of the World Cup? What about Pakistan? The change in captaincy and the change in team management hasn't brought the desired results. Was it a witch hunt against Babar during the ODI World Cup? Is Shaheen Afridi the right man to lead Pakistan in the T20 World Cup? Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Alan John, a Virat Kohli fanboy, discuss the learnings and lessons from the T20I series against Afghanistan. Tune In! Produced and Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The Indian cricket landscape buzzed with fervent discussions as the BCCI made a significant move by reinstating two of its most experienced players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, into the T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. This decision marked a pivotal moment, especially considering both players had not participated in the shortest format at the international level since their last game in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Fans and pundits alike pointed out that Kohli's impressive T20I record, boasting the highest run tally in T20I history with 4,008 runs at an average of 52.73, could be a game-changer for the team. Similarly, Rohit Sharma's experience as a former captain and his ability to score big were seen as assets that could bolster the Indian batting lineup. But, the move was not without its detractors. Critics argued that the inclusion of Kohli and Sharma might come at the expense of emerging talents like Shubman Gill, who had an outstanding IPL season in 2023, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. There were concerns that this could potentially stifle the growth of these young players, who had shown promise and seemed ready to take on the mantle in the T20 format. The BCCI's choice also sparked debates about whether it was prudent to rely on the veterans' past glories instead of embracing the aggressive, modern style of T20 cricket that the younger players had been cultivating. Also, England are coming to India for a 5-Test series and the chatter about pitches has come to the spotlight at the right time. The English team cribbed too much about pitches last time they were in India in 2021. After the sensational win on an “unsatisfactory” pitch in Cape Town, the Indian Test team might want to play on rank-turners in the upcoming series, starting January 25. Listen in!

South Africa named a 14-man Test squad for their 2-Test series in January-February with 7 uncapped players. Uncapped opening batter Neil Brand was named as the captain of the side which has a collective experience of 50 Tests. Notably, Brand might become only the second uncapped player to lead a Test team after New Zealand's Lee Germon in 1995 in the last 50 years. South Africa began their cycle of World Test Championship 2023-25 with a dominant win over India in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. The Proteas are taking on India with a full-strength team, but they have opted not to send some of their star players to New Zealand. The series in New Zealand is clashing with the second season of South Africa's premier domestic T20 league - SA20. A significant number of players are now choosing the lucrative opportunities offered by these leagues over the traditional path of representing their national teams under central contracts. This shift is indicative of a broader transformation in the cricketing landscape, where the fast-paced, entertainment-rich format of T20 leagues is increasingly favored. One of the most striking examples of this trend is New Zealand's Trent Boult, a formidable pace bowler known for his wicket-taking prowess across formats. Boult made headlines when he turned down a central contract from New Zealand Cricket just months before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The West Indies, too, has seen a wave of its players opting for the T20 league route. A study by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) revealed that over 49% of players would consider declining national contracts to focus on T20 leagues, highlighting the significant impact these leagues have on the sport. Akshay Ramesh, Rounaq Sehrawat and Kingshuk Kusari discuss what is the future of the longest format of the game in the first episode of the New Year.  Tune in!

There are always two sides to a story, like two sides to a coin. Indian cricket in 2023 has a similar narrative. You can look it as another year in which India failed to win an ICC trophy or laud the processes that were put in place to achieve the ultimate glory. And none of you are going to disagree that 2023 was a landmark year for women's cricket with the inaugural edition of the WPL and the Test victories. Isn't it? Rohit Sharma's heroic World Cup show and his subsequent removal from Mumbai Indians captaincy dominated the headlines in 2023. Hardik Pandya was seen as Rohit's successor in white-ball cricket, but he has had some difficult injury concerns. Wasn't it the year of comebacks for the Rahuls? (Dravid and KL). The Indian women's cricket team also shone brightly in 2023, registering remarkable Test match wins against formidable opponents like England and Australia. These victories were significant, as they highlighted the growing prowess and potential of women's cricket in India. Adding to the jubilation of Indian cricket in 2023 was the triumph of MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under Dhoni's experienced and cool-headed leadership, CSK clinched the title, further cementing Dhoni's legacy as one of the most successful captains in the history of the IPL. Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

In the high-stakes world of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions, the 2024 event in Dubai was a spectacle of record-breaking bids and strategic acquisitions. Among the stars who shone the brightest were Australian cricketing sensations Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who not only broke the bank but also set new benchmarks in the history of IPL salaries. Mitchell Starc, known for his lethal pace and swing, made a triumphant return to the IPL after a hiatus, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) securing his services for an astounding Rs 24.75 crore. This deal not only made him the most expensive player in the 2024 auction but also the priciest buy in the entire history of the league. Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper and World Cup-winning hero, wasn't far behind in the financial windfall. The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won a fierce bidding war against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), purchasing Cummins for Rs 20.5 crore. The auction also highlighted the impact of meticulous scouting, as uncapped Indian players attracted significant interest and lucrative deals. But, RCB's quest to upgrade their bowling unit seemed to fall short post-auction. While they did secure four pacers, including Alzarri Joseph for Rs 11.50 crore and Lockie Ferguson for Rs 2 crore, the overall composition of their bowling lineup raised questions. Their inability to win the bid for Pat Cummins, who could have been a game-changing addition, was seen as a missed opportunity. Tune in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

After the World Cup, there was a lull, as expected. A section of heartbroken Indian cricket fans vowed to not watch cricket again. But the interest is back as plenty of irresistible cricketing action is all set to get underway. India have already headed to South Africa for a full-length tour. Pakistan are hoping to win a Test match in Australia for the first time since 1995. West Indies and England have begun their high-intensity preparation for the T20 World Cup in June next year. However, the buzz is high, as expected, for the IPL 2024 mini-auction, set to be held in Dubai from December 19. A maximum of 77 slots are now available with up to 30 being slotted for overseas players. As expected, MS Dhoni is among the biggest talking points. Will Chennai Super Kings go for a back-up for the wicketkeeper, who is recovering from a knee injury? Do Gujarat Titans need a replacement for Hardik Pandya? Yes, he led them to glory in 2022 and to the final in 2023. But the Impact Player rule has made it easy for teams to not feel the pinch of missing an all-rounder. Will Mitchell Starc have a big day? Will Shahrukh Khan be the most sought-after Indian player? Tune in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi