The Mumbai Indians pipped the Royal Challengers in the race to the IPL playoffs. But can make the final and win a sixth crown? The answer is yes. They have a wealth of experience in Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00When IPL started, people thought that IPL is T20, it's all about batsmen game.
00:06But after a couple of years, two years, then the bowlers learned so many things.
00:13And I'm so happy that fast bowlers are doing really well and actually they are clever.
00:23After 48 days, 70 matches, now we are entering the much-awaited playoffs in the Indian Premier League.
00:29Only four teams are standing right now. We have with us Chirag Suri, the UAE batsman opener.
00:37And Sai, our regular enthusiast who doesn't miss a match.
00:42And we have Shyam Krishna, Senior Associate Editor.
00:46It's Talking IPL again. Welcome to the show, guys.
00:50Thank you. Thanks for having us.
00:54Pleasure. Pleasure.
00:56Okay. Let's first start with Chirag.
01:00Chirag, the league phase has been a very closely fought-after affair.
01:04And it went all the way up to the final game.
01:07How do you think it has gone through so far?
01:10And is it because of this closeness of the match, the popularity of IPL is gaining?
01:16Your thoughts on that?
01:18I think most definitely. I think the season we've had this year, it's been second to none.
01:24The drama. Till the last few games, we didn't quite know who is going to be the last four.
01:30And obviously, yesterday, Gujarat has helped their fellow MI boys.
01:36So, I think it's been a very good tournament so far.
01:41And very close-fought encounters.
01:44I think the way the hype has lived up, especially after that mega-auction.
01:50I think it's what the fans wanted.
01:52And the IPL, like every year, has delivered to another level this year. For sure.
01:56Lovely. Sai, you might not be very pleased because Hyderabad couldn't make it.
02:04Anyway, we were not expecting Hyderabad to do well.
02:07But at least, in the last game, they did bat well.
02:10The bowling has been their strong point. But they failed miserably, isn't it?
02:14Yeah. There is something to do about Hyderabad.
02:17I mean, it was surprising that Adrian also was telling that he was not responsible for the selections.
02:21You know, in one of the public meetings.
02:24So, it's surprising that how they selected their team.
02:26Sometimes, Imran Malik was there. Sometimes, Imran Malik was not there.
02:29Though they have the best team on paper, unfortunately, they didn't fit as a team.
02:33And the result shows. They are standing on the table.
02:37But as Krishniraj said, it's one of the best IPLs ever in the entire 16th edition.
02:42I think this was the best. It was a climax. Like a real climax.
02:45We were waiting for the last 11 balls to decide whether it's RCB or Mumbai.
02:50RCB or Mumbai. So, it was interesting.
02:53Sai, let me just interrupt you there.
02:55See, this selection seems to be a problem with Hyderabad.
02:59Because if you remember, a couple of seasons back, David Warner complained the same thing.
03:04Saying that there is external indifference in the team selection.
03:09Now, it's Aydan Markram saying the same thing.
03:11So, there is something drastically wrong with the management of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
03:16Yeah, I totally agree. I mean, this is something really surprising actually.
03:19Where the coaches and captains make the team, I think it looks like the management is making decisions there.
03:24And that's something which cricket should not encourage.
03:28I will also add something to that.
03:31I think we have seen the teams with stable management.
03:34You know, not going to say whether it's financially.
03:37Of course, MI is backed by the Ambani's and Chennai with Indian Cements.
03:41But it's usually the teams which have very stable management.
03:44You have seen Dhoni, Fleming. You have seen now Rohit Sharma with the MI scouts.
03:50Now, of course, Mark Boucher has come in as coach.
03:53But these two teams have had the most stable management.
03:56Similar, not too many changes. Not too many things going on.
03:59And I think that is also a success.
04:01Because when the top end is stable and they know what they are doing.
04:05There's a couple of people making decisions. They are responsible.
04:08It's not like, you know, in a couple of the other teams where you play the blame game.
04:12If it goes well, everybody wants to take the credit.
04:14If it doesn't go well, everybody blames each other.
04:16So, you know, you need people to take the blame and say, okay, I've made a mistake.
04:22I've had a bad option. You cannot go on and say, oh, I wasn't responsible for this.
04:26So, this is very important when it comes to, you know, drafting a team and managing a team.
04:30Especially in the IPL.
04:32Okay. I have to interrupt here. Among us, we have the Sri Lankan great Chaminda Vaas, who has joined our show.
04:39Welcome, Chaminda. It's a pleasure to have you here.
04:44So, is your connectivity okay, Chaminda?
04:50Yeah, it's connectivity okay. Can you hear me?
04:53Okay. Yeah. Lovely. We can hear you now. Lovely.
04:56Okay. Chaminda, we have all been outside the IPL.
05:01But you have been, you have played IPL. You have been part of the winning Hyderabad Deccan Chargers team.
05:07So, talk to us about how, as a team, it will be, you know, like your experience with the IPL.
05:15How it was part of the winning team.
05:17And your, of course, you have a rich history of your game.
05:21But if you can talk to us about your experience, IPL experience as a Chaminda.
05:26Well, IPL, it's getting very competitive with the players as well.
05:37But when the IPL started, it's not that competitive.
05:44But now, it's very competitive and, you know, a lot of foreign players, you know, all the stars are playing.
05:53And it's getting very competitive.
05:57And I think everybody is performing really well.
06:00And it's a great platform for all the youngsters to prove themselves.
06:06And it's a good experience for them as well.
06:10Yeah. And IPL being one of the longest played tournament as a person,
06:16how hard is it for a fast bowler to be focused on getting his rhythm, line, amid all the glitz and glamour,
06:24and then the travel, all put together.
06:27How difficult, from your experience, Chaminda?
06:30Well, it's not easy. But long as you enjoy, you know.
06:35T20 is all about, it's entertaining.
06:39And, you know, when the IPL started, everybody thought that it's going to be a batsman game.
06:46But bowlers being very clever enough, smart enough, they have learned so much.
06:51And it's become a bowler's game now.
06:54So, it's very competitive even as a bowler.
06:59But the most important thing is to enjoy and play according to the situation.
07:06And play according to the team's respect.
07:09Yeah. Actually, before you joined us, we were talking about how Hyderabad's keeper,
07:16Aydan Makram, was complaining that he was not getting a free hand in selecting the best teams.
07:22And that's why, especially Sunrisers, had one of the best teams as a bowling unit.
07:27How important is the role of a captain for a bowler to be successful, Chaminda?
07:32Because you have played under some of the best captains in your life.
07:36Well, when you lose, even though you have a good team, when you lose, you can't give excuses saying that
07:46you don't get a free hand to select the team.
07:51But as a captain, you should ask for the team.
07:54Once they go in the middle, they have to play as a team.
07:58So, it's up to the captain and the management to decide and play the best team
08:04and do well for their franchise.
08:08So, it's no point telling now.
08:10But if you take all the 10 teams, they are very competitive.
08:14They played really well and some of the matches went till the last bowl.
08:19So, everybody is taking it serious and everybody wants to win the tournament.
08:24Cham, you have been waiting for a long time.
08:29You must be happy that Mumbai has come in.
08:32Though you didn't expect them to strike back.
08:36Take us through the good, bad and ugly of this league phase this year, Cham.
08:41I mean, Mumbai made the playoffs.
08:45But I am not really happy with the way they made the playoffs.
08:48They have to be completely at the mercy of the other teams.
08:51So, if you look at…
08:53Okay, we know that Mumbai are slow starters.
08:56They normally lose the first 3 games or 4 games before they really get into the picture.
09:00That's precisely what happened this year.
09:03But if you look at the team-make…
09:05I mean, it's been really bad.
09:07Like I emphasized in the previous chat shows here.
09:11They didn't have what you call a cutting-edge bowler.
09:16They bought Jofra Archer first year fully knowing that he will not be available.
09:21But they thought they will have Bumrah.
09:23But this year, they didn't have Bumrah and Jofra Archer, both of them.
09:27Which means, they didn't have a spearhead to lead their attack.
09:30Which is why you see that they suffered pretty much early on.
09:34And even if you look at the spin department, it is only Piyush Chawla who is just…
09:38Piyush Chawla, again, is a veteran. He is not a spring chicken either.
09:41So, they didn't have the kind of bowling that would take them through.
09:44See Berend Roff or let's say Riley Meredith.
09:48They are not the same class really.
09:50Okay, they are handy bowlers.
09:52But the thing is, they are not in the class of Jofra Archer or just with Bumrah.
09:57Or even Josh Hazlewood who turned up for RCB.
10:01So, this is what we saw in the early matches.
10:05As a bowling unit, they struggled.
10:07But early on, what happened was, even the batting struggled.
10:10Only Dilip Verma just kept them afloat.
10:13But things turned around once when Surya Kumari Yadav ran into form.
10:19And if you look at even Rohit Sharma, he has not been getting some runs.
10:24He has got 150 early in the tournament.
10:26And yesterday's knock was only his second 50 of the tournament.
10:30So, which means, their batting also had struggled.
10:32And they somehow managed to muster some victories on the back of some good knocks from Surya Kumari Yadav.
10:39And fortunately for them, the other teams, especially Rajasthan Royals, they ran into a bad run of form.
10:45So, it's all helped in Mumbai's favour.
10:49So, I am not really happy with the way they made the semi-finals.
10:53This is not the Mumbai I know.
10:55Mumbai, they just stormed into the finals on the back of some comprehensive performances.
11:00But this was sneaking through the back door, which is not really Mumbai.
11:05You are one of the mentors of the Mentor Academy by JMR.
11:08And what I wanted to ask you from a bowler's perspective is,
11:12there are many bowlers, whether it is spinners, whether it is pacers, they are bowling a lot of no-balls and wides.
11:22As a coach or as a mentor, what do you think will be your guidance to the batting fast bowler especially and batting bowlers?
11:31How to respect it or how to practice it, if you could tell me?
11:35Well, bowling no-balls in the game nowadays is like a crime.
11:42You can't give extras and it can cost you in the match as well.
11:49But you have to be disciplined when it comes to practice.
11:55When you bowl in practices, you need to bowl within those lines.
12:01So, for a fast bowler, if you are bowling really well, that's called your rhythm.
12:07So, it's no point bowling no-balls.
12:09Sometimes, people say that I am not bowling no-balls in the match.
12:14But you got to practice in the practice.
12:17So, same practice, you have to take it in the match.
12:20So, I always tell the bowlers, when you come to practices, you have to practice in a proper way.
12:27Discipline will take you right up in the game.
12:34Coming to Chirag, I know Bangalore was one of your favourites.
12:38And of course, a brilliant knock from Shubman Gill took the game away from them.
12:45So, one more year, no title for RCB. How do you feel?
12:50I mean, of course, being such a huge Virat Kohli fan myself.
12:58And the way he has battled the last couple of games.
13:02Back-to-back, hundreds in the IPL.
13:04You could just see from even the stands, his wife, what it means to them.
13:09He has gone through that phase where he has openly spoken about.
13:13When you are not in runs and how you feel, you have insecurities and things like that.
13:17But it's so good to see someone like that.
13:19Even the greats openly talking about the lows of being an international cricketer.
13:26And being such a great player.
13:27I think that's what makes him great.
13:29And the way he battled the last couple of games.
13:31I think Shubman learnt from the way he batted.
13:34And he went one notch better.
13:36Because he is batting that way now throughout the IPL.
13:40And everyone knows what kind of talent he has.
13:43And the way he has just been going about his work.
13:47It's just been super throughout the tournament.
13:51And he has just done it again.
13:53Yesterday, he has done a huge favour to the Ambani's.
13:56I think they were all partying and rejoicing and thanking Gujarat yesterday.
14:00And yeah, I think a bit disappointing for RCB, obviously.
14:04But I think we have seen some good performances.
14:08But again, the bowling has let them down.
14:11The batsman, you have Virat at the top.
14:13Du Plessis is at the top of the Orange Cap list.
14:15But somehow, they are not putting it together every single year.
14:19They really need to make some changes, I would feel, in management.
14:23In terms of the bowling department and the strategies.
14:25To really see what they can do.
14:28Yeah.
14:30Again, coming back to another big team.
14:34Rajasthan Royals, HSV.
14:37Brilliant knock from him as well.
14:39But again, it all went in vain.
14:42Rajasthan seems to be having the best of the balanced team, basically.
14:51They have one of the best balanced teams.
14:54But what's going wrong with them, Chirag?
14:59I think, like you said, Rajasthan Royals have been delivering.
15:03They found a couple of good players.
15:05Yashashree Jaiswal, someone who they backed.
15:08We spoke about this a couple of weeks ago.
15:10He has come off well for them.
15:12But somehow, they reached those times where somebody needs to step up.
15:17And I felt that maybe there was a little bit of a role.
15:21A role that Sanju Samson needed to play.
15:24Captain plays a very crucial role in these kind of situations.
15:27Especially in must-win games.
15:29The captain has to stand up and lead the way.
15:32And I felt that certain decisions, at certain times, getting different bowlers on.
15:36A couple of matches they lost in the last over.
15:38I feel that as a captain, maybe Sanju Samson can, going forward, take these sort of decisions.
15:46Evaluate how they could have handled these situations better.
15:50Rather than being on the losing side, they could be on the winning side in the coming season.
15:54I think there is a lot to work on for them as a team.
15:57They had the players though.
15:59I would still say that they had the team to do it.
16:02But they just didn't quite get over that last hurdle.
16:06You know, it happens in the IPL.
16:08You have seen that the more experienced captains are doing it year after year.
16:12So, it's definitely…
16:14The players are…
16:15The teams are all stacked.
16:16But their leadership, again…
16:19Why MS Dhoni, 16 IPLs, 14 playoffs?
16:22I mean, he is not great just like that.
16:29CSK had their downs in terms of auctions and things like that.
16:32Things have not gone their way.
16:33New auctions.
16:34But every year, he still manages to make that team qualify.
16:36So, I mean, that's all.
16:38Yeah.
16:41Sai, what are your thoughts about the other teams who have not made it?
16:48Say for Punjab or for that matter, Delhi.
16:51So, these are all the teams…
16:53In the auction and with the start of the tournament, we all feel that they have a balanced side.
16:58So, you also think that it has to do with the captaincy and the roles the captains play?
17:03Not for Delhi and Punjab particularly.
17:06But Delhi because it was a one-man army.
17:07Because David Warner was the only man playing and he was standing.
17:10And unfortunately, without Rishabh Pant, it did not look like a complete team for me.
17:15And David Warner tried his best.
17:17You know, he tried his best.
17:18And he did not…
17:19I mean, Aksar did not perform as much as we expected him to perform with his bat or the ball.
17:24I mean, except one or two games.
17:25But so, as a complete team, it did not perform.
17:28And for Punjab, unfortunately, I think Sam Karan also did not perform.
17:33Shikhar Dhawan did play, did perform in one or two matches.
17:36But again, down the road, as a complete unit, they failed as a unit rather than any individuals as such, you know.
17:41So, that's I think is the takeaway from this IPL is…
17:44I mean, it's how you are bonded, how your team, the openers and the middle-order plays.
17:49And then come back with a good effective bowling.
17:51So, the middle-order is also a big key.
17:53Because you can see KKR.
17:54KKR's middle-order was fantastic.
17:56Like with Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana doing a very good job.
17:59They had the opening.
18:00But unfortunately, the bowling…
18:02Somewhere down the lane, they were not able to get the entire, you know, wickets to break-even.
18:07But they did.
18:08They looked like a strong contender.
18:09And with Nitish Rana, I mean, not such a famous captain.
18:13I mean, he has just played for India.
18:15He is not like the big wigs like Dhoni, Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli or Faf.
18:19So, with him, taking this team to such a…
18:22I mean, to almost 12-14 points, it's fantastic.
18:25So, every team had its role.
18:27But it's how they paced the innings and how the middle-order played, that made a lot of difference.
18:33Yeah.
18:34Sharma, we had this big impact player substitution.
18:40Do you think one of the reasons why the young, new bowlers have not…
18:45Not many of them have come out this year.
18:47Especially the spinners.
18:48Because every year, we have at least 2-3 good bowlers who would come out of the IPL league stage.
18:54But this year, not many were able to produce the similar form.
19:00Is it because of the impact substitution?
19:02Because you could come back, bring the veterans like Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla, Karan Sharma.
19:07All these guys, so that fielding and batting can be done by somebody else.
19:11I totally disagree there.
19:15Because I think the impact player rule has nothing to do with it.
19:18It's simply because of the lack of resources.
19:20Because if you look at the team, they didn't have quality bowlers.
19:23Because if they had quality bowlers, they could have brought him in as an impact bowler.
19:27Case in point is KKR.
19:29You had Suyash.
19:30Suyash was who came in.
19:31The leg-spinner.
19:33Despite Varun Chakravarthy, they played him.
19:35Because he is a very good leg-spinner.
19:37But unfortunately, we don't have any other spinners of that class in other teams.
19:41Which is why you didn't see them.
19:44But I think the impact rule has nothing to do with that.
19:49It's just that we didn't have the talent pool.
19:51We have gone through the league phase.
19:53And only four teams are playing now.
19:55That is the first match between Gujarat vs Chennai tomorrow.
19:59Who do you think will be the favourite?
20:02Because I think it's the first time Gujarat are playing against Chennai as well.
20:05So, who do you think will be the favourites tomorrow, Chaminda?
20:09They will still win.
20:12Both teams are very balanced.
20:15If you talk about Chennai, Chennai have a well-experienced captain.
20:21Very quiet.
20:23He takes all the players in a right way.
20:28Giving 100% in the game.
20:31And he has been there for so many years.
20:35And I think Chennai also looks good.
20:39But at the end, the best team will win.
20:42But both teams have a good opportunity.
20:44And the way Gujarat is playing, especially Jill,
20:50batting really well.
20:52And the captain himself.
20:55So, they have to prove a lot.
20:58I think both teams have the best opportunity.
21:04I think the best team, people who do less mistakes in the middle,
21:10they will win the match.
21:13Playing against Chennai, basically, it's a fight between Dhoni and this prodigy.
21:19So, we would say, the Gujarat skipper, Hardik Pandya.
21:26So, it's the first time Gujarat are going to play.
21:29Kirag, what's your take on the first qualifier tomorrow?
21:34I think, like Hardik Pandya said, winning is a habit.
21:39And you know, even though yesterday, it wasn't a mass-win game.
21:44After the high of that win.
21:54And I think they have the momentum as well.
21:56And have very good experience and young players.
21:59So, I feel that the way they are doing, especially the top-water fighting and the depth they have in the batting.
22:03I think, for me, I would like to see a Gujarat Titans go through.
22:08And of course, lot of the CSK fans, obviously.
22:13And everyone from Chennai. Chennai boys won't like that.
22:20But I think they will get another bite tomorrow as the upper-hand.
22:22Sai, what's your thought?
22:26I totally agree with Chirag.
22:28Especially, Chepauk being a spinner's pitch.
22:30Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed will do wonders.
22:32I mean, it's one of the best bowlers of Spain.
22:36Let's hope for Chennai, I hope Ajinkya Rahane and Devon Conway comes to the party.
22:45So, it's going to be a tight match. And it's going to be a good match.
22:48And it's all depending on Dhoni and Pandya.
22:53How they marshal their teams around.
22:55So, my guess is that it should be Gujarat Titans to keep the winnings free.
23:00Okay. Cham, your thoughts?
23:04Okay, let me start from the beginning.
23:07Because, you know, preview to the IPL.
23:10I said that I had gone through all the teams.
23:12And I said the only team which is capable of winning this tournament is Gujarat Titans.
23:17Because I made an exhaustive study of each of the teams.
23:20And their strengths and weaknesses.
23:22And I thought the perfect team was Gujarat Titans.
23:24Now, coming to tomorrow's match, you are going into the lion's den.
23:28You are going into the Super Kings.
23:30Captain by Dhoni.
23:31To take Chirag's own words, it is the captain who has played all 16 editions.
23:36And qualified for 14 times.
23:38So, I have this pet theory that the best teams need not always win.
23:43So, tomorrow, I expect to see Dhoni turn up a trick or two to upset the Gujarat Titans.
23:52Only Hardik Pandya has a better consistency in the IPL.
23:56Because it's one season out of one for Gujarat Titans.
23:59Yeah, that's true. Very true.
24:01And the second qualifier, in fact, had RCB had come in.
24:08It would have been, again, a brilliant clash between Lucknow and RCB from what we saw last time on the field.
24:16A very acrimonious battle on the field.
24:19You mean, off the field.
24:20Off the field.
24:22But off the field after the match, basically.
24:25So, that would have spiced up the contest even better.
24:28But going with Mumbai's Pedigree and Lucknow without KL Rahul, what are your thoughts, Chirag?
24:36Look, I think that game is… It can go either way.
24:42It's on the day.
24:43Who really fires and what players step up.
24:46Of course, Mumbai with the sort of experience they have against Lucknow without KL Rahul.
24:52My go-to team for that game would probably be MI.
24:56Especially because they are now… They are super high after…
25:01They have got a lifeline.
25:02They have got nothing to lose.
25:03They weren't making the playoffs.
25:04But now, suddenly, they have a chance.
25:05So, you are going with a complete open mindset.
25:08You were not even in this position.
25:10Somebody else has helped you be there.
25:12Now, you have got nothing to lose.
25:13You just go out there and just express yourself.
25:16And I think MI is very dangerous in these situations.
25:19So, you can't count a side like MI out.
25:23Sai?
25:24See, I don't know why this time I am agreeing everything with Chirag.
25:27I totally believe… It is going to be MI and MI for sure.
25:32Because MI will be having the crowd support.
25:35They will be chanting Kohli Kohli.
25:37So, definitely, I believe it is going to be MI.
25:40Again, MI has a good track record in Chennai.
25:46They are one of the teams who have beaten Chennai on a regular basis in Chennai.
25:51So, they have a good track record in Chennai.
25:54The eliminator, basically.
25:57Okay, that makes it even more interesting.
26:01Whether it is Mumbai vs Gujarat or whether it is Mumbai vs Chennai in the qualifiers.
26:07We will have to wait and see.
26:09Okay, but what are your thoughts, guys?
26:12Who… Final… Sorry, Shyam, I didn't come back to you.
26:17I thought you ignored me completely.
26:19Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.
26:21The moment you know I talk about Chennai, I miss everything.
26:26You get lost, I know.
26:28Correct, correct.
26:29Your thoughts on your favourite team, Mumbai vs Lucknow?
26:34When you say favourite team, then you know who will actually be.
26:40But what I am expecting from you is who would stand out from Mumbai.
26:46Because you have seen Roy Sharma scoring runs.
26:49Of course, Ishan is… Looks like… I will come back to Chirag on that.
26:54Ishan has not been scoring runs.
26:56Only Surya and yesterday, Cameron Green came to the party as well.
27:01And Roy Sharma as well.
27:03I would disagree with you.
27:06But the thing is… See, all these guys have been scoring runs.
27:10But different times.
27:11There are matches where Ishan has scored.
27:14If you look at the two matches back, you saw Ishan and Rohit had a good partnership.
27:20That was against Lucknow, if I remember right.
27:23They were 100-100 for Nola at one point of time.
27:26They went on to lose that match very mysteriously.
27:28But then, Surya has been firing in some matches.
27:33Rohit fired in two matches.
27:35Tim David fired, remember, the three sixes against Rajasthan Royals.
27:39Then you had Cameron Green turning up yesterday.
27:42So, these guys have been contributing at various times.
27:47It's just that they are not firing at the same time.
27:50But that also gives you some hope in the sense that there is somebody who is turning up for every match.
27:55Which is a good sign.
27:57Now, why I picked Mumbai to win the first qualifier, the second qualifier is simply because…
28:04Or to beat Lucknow is simply because…
28:09See, if you look at 16… I mean, we have had 15 IPLs.
28:13After 15 IPLs, 9 of them have been won by two teams.
28:18And out of that 9, 5 is by Mumbai.
28:23And other is Chennai.
28:25So, Mumbai and Chennai are certainly a cut above the rest of the teams.
28:29Which means, they know something about winning.
28:31See, they might not have the best teams.
28:34But with the team they have, they know how to win.
28:37So, which is simply why I would pick Rohit Sharma's team to win tomorrow.
28:44Even against Lucknow's James.
28:47Okay. Chirag, I need to ask you about the technique of being an opener.
28:52I want to ask you this question.
28:55Ishan Kishan has got strokes all around the ground.
28:59But somehow, he seems to be standing on the back foot and he is just waiting to hit the ball.
29:03Just short of length.
29:05Pick-up shots.
29:08Why is that the players get into this kind of mindset when you can play almost 180 degrees?
29:16See, I think, like you said, he has got good shots.
29:21And you know, for his size, we call him the pocket-sized dynamo.
29:25You know, when I played with him, even when I was in Gujarat Lions.
29:28You know, I remember the way he picks up length.
29:31Anything short of length, he picks up and he helps it.
29:34Like square leg or over-fine leg for six.
29:36He plays that really well.
29:38But saying that, like you said, he hits the ball straight down the ground to spinners, mid-wicket, covers.
29:42You know, he plays all around the ground.
29:43But it's a matter of confidence.
29:45You also have certain shots that are working for you.
29:47And I feel that he is not at his most confident level right now.
29:50Yes, he has had a good couple of innings.
29:52But he has not been that flowing, the way he bats naturally.
29:57It's not been as easy for him this season.
30:00It's been a bit scratchy.
30:01He has got in a couple of performances.
30:03And you know, now maybe the confidence comes to him after a couple of games.
30:06But I know one thing.
30:08You know, when the big times come, he is someone who steps up.
30:12So, I think going into these big games, he will be itching to put in a performance.
30:16Because these guys know.
30:17You know, a right in these qualifiers and eliminators, it does all those wrongs which you have done throughout the IPL.
30:25Everybody forgets about that.
30:26You are again a hero.
30:27You just have to perform well.
30:28So, all these top players, let me tell you.
30:30Even Rohit Sharma.
30:31If he puts in bad performance in these qualifiers, nobody is going to talk about what he did before this.
30:37All of that is out.
30:38And every single person will be only talking about how this guy manages again and again to step up when it matters the most.
30:45So, you know, these are the kind of occasions these players rise in.
30:48And that's why they are great players.
30:50So, don't be surprised when you see magical performances from one of these openers in the next game.
30:56Lovely.
30:57I like that.
30:58Okay.
30:59Now, the final question.
31:00The final two teams for the title game in Ahmedabad.
31:04Whom do you think of the four will make it to the final?
31:07I am going MI vs GT.
31:13Okay.
31:15Sai?
31:17MI vs GT.
31:18100%.
31:19Okay.
31:20Sharma?
31:21MI vs CSK.
31:23Well done, Sharma.
31:24I am there as well.
31:26MI vs CSK.
31:27The clash between four-time winners versus five-time winners.
31:31The giants.
31:32The giants of the IPL.
31:34I think Satish wanted to hear that.
31:36Somebody telling CSK.
31:37Absolutely.
31:38Absolutely.
31:39How I wish Dhoni will be a champ one day.
31:42Satish, I love you.
31:48Sorry, Shyam.
31:50We are breaking up, Shyam.
31:51Sorry.
31:53Okay.
31:54I think there is some connectivity issue there.
31:56Okay.
31:57On that happy note, Shyam, you broke up in between.
32:00Can you just repeat what you said, please?
32:03Okay.
32:04I said you need not get your hopes high simply because I have a knack of getting my predictions
32:09wrong.
32:10That's okay.
32:11Shyam, that makes two of us because I was predicting SRH and they are in the bottom
32:15of the table.
32:18Okay.
32:19Lovely.
32:20Lovely having you guys.
32:21Thanks.
32:22Thanks for joining the show.
32:23Lovely.
32:24It was a great show.
32:25For all the news and updates, please log on to gulfnews.com and all the social media channels.
32:31Happy watching the playoffs.
32:32Good luck, everybody.
32:33Thanks.
32:34We'll see you again next time.
32:35Thank you, everybody.
32:37Thank you very much.