Mumbai Indians take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.
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00:00We were expecting that, you know, the team who wins the toss will probably field first.
00:06And, you know, that's what happened. Hardik Pandya chose to bowl in a big contest.
00:12But like they say, runs on the board.
00:19Hello, everyone. Welcome to Talking RPL. One more episode.
00:22Well, now we are from eight teams. We are only three teams remaining.
00:27With Chennai in the 10th final. Let's talk about what happened during the
00:36playoffs, basically, the qualifier and the eliminator. And joining me is UAE opener Chirag
00:43Suri. Cricket enthusiast Sai Prasad, who has got an immense passion for the sport.
00:49And Shyam Krishna, Senior Associate Editor. Welcome, everyone, to the show.
00:54Thank you so much. Thank you.
00:57Yeah. Chirag, let me start with you. Because the two playoffs, if you look at,
01:02the openers played a big role in both the playoffs, if you look at.
01:06So, talk to us about what are your thoughts on the two matches, basically, and especially the
01:13roles of the openers in these two games. I think we were expecting that, you know,
01:20the team who wins the toss will probably field first. And, you know, that's what happened.
01:25Hardik Pandya chose to bowl in a big contest. But like they say, runs on the board. Once you
01:33have those runs on the board and you are able to get good totals on the board, there's always
01:37pressure for the team chasing. So, this is what has happened in both the games. Two totals were
01:43scored that, you know, they were very, very good, strong totals. Especially for a, you know,
01:48do or die, playoff encounter, lot of pressure on a Chennai wicket. We all thought that,
01:55you know, dew would come into play and second innings, it will not grip. But we saw, you know,
01:59Jadeja was able to come into the play. And, you know, the other spinners also came to the party,
02:05which is not what we were expecting. So, you know, like they say, you know, these kind of
02:11contests can go either way. And it's, you know, who puts the hands up. And clearly, the two of
02:15the experienced sides, like, you know, the veterans have put their hands up and they've
02:21taken the opportunities. They've held their nerve. We've seen some amazing performances. You know,
02:26a young fast bowler coming in, taking 5 wickets. You know, we've had very good performances from
02:32the Chennai guys. So, I think overall, a very exciting couple of games. I think, of course,
02:39little bit one-sided, the second game yesterday. But the Chennai encounter, you know, Rashid Khan
02:44put a bit of life into it. But, you know, not quite there. But yeah, definitely two good,
02:52strong, strong games, I would say, yeah. Yeah. As a follow-up question, I would like to ask you,
02:58like, as an opener, what would be your approach? Whether it is, you know, like,
03:01chasing the target or setting the target. So, how would you approach Chirag?
03:07I think definitely in such games, you know, you need to get off to a very good start. It's very,
03:12very important. We've seen it. You know, the teams that do well in that power play,
03:16you don't want to lose too many wickets. At the same time, you want to get that above 45-50.
03:21You know, you don't want to be like 30 for no loss. You know, that's where the conflict
03:25in your mind is that, you know, do I have to play my shots or not? But I saw that the openers were
03:30playing freely. You know, they were very clear with their approach. They went out with that
03:33mindset that, you know, we need to put the bad world away, rotate the strike as much as possible,
03:39not too many dot balls. So, I think the plan really worked for CSK and, you know, they've
03:44executed very well. As openers, sometimes, you know, you feel it's a high-pressure game. You
03:49don't want to be, you know, 15 for 2 or 20 for 2, you know, because then you're always back-fiddling.
03:54Then the opposition is on top. So, I think the way they batted just, you know, risk-free cricket,
04:00good high-percentage shots. So, I think it goes to show a lot of the maturity of the batsmen.
04:06And you know, the way they're thinking and the think-tanks, how they are, you know,
04:10giving that confidence into the players. So, yeah, definitely full credit to the way they batted.
04:16So, as Chirag mentioned, some young fast bowlers are making their way into this
04:23IPL. Of course, Shami is leading the purple cap and you have somebody like Deshpande.
04:30Isn't it unexpected? Because generally, IPL has been a show dominated by the spinners. Whereas,
04:36in the top 10, we are looking at both the spinners and the fast bowlers are kind of
04:42sharing the spoils, mixed ones right now, basically. So, what are your thoughts on that, Sai?
04:49Well, really, Shami is doing fantastically well, you know. And I am surprised. I mean,
04:54he has been an ace bowler. And actually, this IPL is missing Bumrah. If Bumrah would have been there,
04:59we would have seen a competition between the two fast bowlers. Yes, but definitely,
05:03in the fast bowlers, even Tushar Deshpande is giving a chase. But I do, I mean, today,
05:09yesterday's performance of Akash Manwal was fantastic. I mean, unbelievable. I mean,
05:14he is now number four in the list after Sohail Tanvir, Adam Zampa and I think Anil Kumble
05:19in the wicket-taking list. I mean, the best figures in a match. He's got 5 for 5 and that.
05:25Sometimes, a tennis ball cricketer comes and plays an international level T20,
05:30unbelievable. And I think he deserves… I mean, his wicket of Puran, what a ball it was. I mean,
05:35it was one of the best balls. And I think there is a good competition between spin and pace.
05:39And everyone is doing the best, you know. Yeah, yeah, true. And Mumbai seems to have
05:46invested a lot on their youngsters this year, isn't it? So, it seems to be paying off the season.
05:53So, what do you… How do you view it? Or what's your take on that?
05:57Mumbai, I mean, that is the best part of Mumbai. I mean, it's got a fantastic financial backing,
06:02a big support from the reliance industry. And they have done a fantastic thing in
06:07backing up individuals. And I understand there is a selection committee that
06:11actually goes and sees each and every match to select the best youngsters and, you know,
06:15for the match. So, they have done a fantastic job in nurturing youngsters. And they are giving
06:20everybody a chance. They have got a bench strength that is there for future. If you look at the
06:25cricketers that they have cropped up. Today, even Hardik Pandya is a Mumbai product. Jaspeet
06:31Bhrumar is a Mumbai product. So, for me, the playoffs, the eliminator will be Mumbai 1 versus
06:36Mumbai 2, actually. So, that's how I think it's going to be. Which Mumbai will win?
06:43Basically, all three games. All three games, if you look at, eliminator also had a Krinar.
06:49And the qualifier 2 will have a Hardik. Yeah. Correct. All are Mumbai products. Correct.
06:54True. And I know, the question is, which Mumbai will win? That's a thousand questions.
06:59We will come to it later. Later in the show. With that, we will save it for the last.
07:03Shyam, again, you have been following Mumbai very closely for a while. And you must be very
07:09happy with the way the youngsters have come in this year, isn't it? Which was not happening last year.
07:14I hate to say that you have been walking up the wrong tree. You guys have been
07:19talking so much about youngsters. This Madhavan is not a youngster. Look at his age. He is 27 or 29.
07:26So, he is not a youngster. And the thing is… Okay, I will rephrase it. It's a rookie.
07:32Rookies are doing well. Maybe you can put it that way.
07:35That I would admit. See, he has played only 17 first-class games. To come to a high-pressure
07:44situation like this and perform like the way he did, I think that is phenomenal. And like
07:52Sai was saying, a tennis ball cricketer, from tennis ball to cricket ball, the gulf is huge.
07:57But we have had similar situations or similar episodes in the past. If you look back at
08:05Hyderabad's Natrajan, he was also a tennis ball cricketer. So, tennis ball cricketers coming into
08:12white ball cricket is nothing new. But I think as long as you learn the basics right, you are good
08:17enough. And in tennis ball cricket, bowling a yorker is not so easy. So, I guess these guys are
08:23perfect yorkers. And also, Shami, he is not a youngster. So, a lot of these guys you mentioned…
08:31No, I am talking about the youngsters like Yash Thakur, Naveen or Mehdwal. Along with
08:37Shami is also doing well. I am talking about the path bowlers.
08:42Basically, yeah. So, you look at somebody like Mohit Sharma, who has been around for quite
08:46some time. He has done well. So, one thing I would admit is, yes, the fast bowlers are,
08:54or the seam bowlers are coming into the picture. And like we discussed last time around, it's no
08:59longer the slower ones are doing the trick. I mean, we saw the classic example of Harshal Patel
09:07being sorted out by the batsmen. Because last year, somebody like Harshal Patel was a terror,
09:13especially in the slog overs. Now, you could see that the batsmen have seen them through.
09:19But it's good to see. I would say, okay, it is not just the fast bowlers. There have been
09:26matches where spinners also held the whip hand. So, there are some matches where the fast bowlers
09:33have also done equally well. So, I would welcome that for the simple fact that normally in T20
09:41games, it is the batsmen who call the shots. So, for a change, it's good to see bowlers coming
09:47and getting just rewards. I think, which is why that one was 5 wickets. I really applaud that.
09:54Yeah. Chirag, I will quickly come to you. Because we were talking about the slower ones.
10:00How prepared are you these days to face the slower ones, Chirag? Basically, I am sure you will be
10:05at least getting 2 or 3 slower deliveries every over, isn't it?
10:09Yeah. I think now, as we sit down with analysts and we see the percentage of slower ones
10:16that a particular bowler will bowl in the depth. So, we are told to set up for the slower one.
10:22And the fast ball, you just sort of, you know, you react to. If it's a fast ball, you sort of
10:27react to and get a single. But you wait for the slower one and you wait, wait, wait and then
10:32hit your shot. So, you are trained to do that. Because with some of these bowlers,
10:36now they bowl 4-5 slower ones in an over. So, you have to rather set up for the slower one,
10:43not the fast one. And then the fast one, you just react and get a single or something like that.
10:47So, that's how we have been taught with the analysis that if a bowler is gonna bowl this,
10:52you rather prepare for the slower one. Because his percentage bowl is a slower one in the depth.
10:56So, that's how you have been trained now. So, everybody, like he said, Harshal Patel
11:00has been worked out. Because last year, they have gone, he has done so well. He is a threat.
11:04Every team identifies that. So, to be consistent at IPL over seasons and seasons. Like say,
11:10why is Rashid Khan so great? He is a spinner. To be successful over so many years,
11:15that's what is special. You can do it. You can have one good season, two good seasons.
11:20But then, they figure you out. And that's what they have done with so many bowlers,
11:23we know. So, to do it, to be consistent in so many seasons, even as batsmen.
11:27You know, you had like, there was a guy called Paul Valtati. He had an amazing season. Then
11:31there was a couple of other guys who had like terrific seasons. And then, the next day,
11:35they came. They couldn't get back to work. Because every team had done their homework.
11:38Because nobody cares when you are not scoring. But when you score, teams prepare for you even
11:43more. Because they think you are a threat. So, when I was doing well, teams used to come with
11:48more preparation the next time. So, then, they look at where his areas are. What kind of bowlers
11:53is he getting out to? So, you start working these kind of things out, even as batsmen.
11:57So, the research and the data has gone to another level with cricket now. It's no longer
12:03just a bat-and-ball sport. Yes, it is that. But there is so much information. So much information.
12:09Yeah. Shyam, I have to go to Chirag Bhatt, coming back to you. Now, with Mumbai coming
12:16into the qualifier 2, when they are kind of finding their groove, how dangerous are they now, Shyam?
12:22Very. Very, very dangerous. Mumbai in the home front is very dangerous.
12:27That too, the main batmen are not scoring then. Rohit and Ishan are still not scoring. But still,
12:32some good individual performances are coming from the rest, isn't it?
12:36Yeah. Which is why they are very, very dangerous. This is typical Mumbai. See,
12:41if you look at the Lucknow match, there is no single player who scored well. But all of them
12:47have scored. All of them have chipped in with their 20s and 30s. And that is good enough. And
12:52of course, in the end, Nihal was there. He provided the final thrust as well. So, I think for a while,
12:58Cameron Green rallied them around. But I was looking at the score sheet. Each of them has
13:05scored 20-plus runs. And if you have six batsmen scoring 20-plus runs at a good clip, that suits
13:13it up. And that is precisely what happened yesterday. So, I would say Mumbai are a huge
13:21threat. And my picks would be a Mumbai-Chennai final. And I hate to break your heart, Sathesh,
13:29that Mumbai could even win this. Absolutely, Shyam. I am okay, Shyam.
13:3610th final, I am okay with it. We want to see good cricket. We just want to see good cricket.
13:41Absolutely. Shy, coming to you again, we spoke about Lucknow yesterday.
13:50With Lucknow, we don't have the confidence in the team where Mumbai or Gujarat or Chennai were.
13:59They didn't do anything spectacular. But somehow, they managed to sneak into the playoffs
14:04through some individual brilliances. Is the absence of Rahul as a batter and a captain
14:10was the reason for Lucknow's loss yesterday?
14:14I don't think actually that is the case. Because it was whether KL Rahul's absence did matter.
14:19It was more about the selection. Whether De Kock was... I mean, in my opinion, he should have been
14:26there instead of the opening KL Myers. Because De Kock is a classy batsman. He has played in
14:31Indian pitches. He has performed well. And in the three or four matches that he got a chance to play,
14:36he would have done well. And also, another point is, once Kunal got out, and though he has taken
14:43the blame for getting out, I think it looks as if LSG gave up. And you know, Stoinis tried his best.
14:49And the unfortunate run-out and I think they lost the way there. They lost the direction there.
14:53So, it's all about the... I don't think the strategic time-out... I don't know what was
15:00the discussion in the strategic time-out. That actually, after the strategic time-out,
15:03they started falling like a pack of cards. Yeah. And even bowling is also a little...
15:09Don't have such strong performances like the other teams, isn't it?
15:13Yes. Very true. Very true. I mean, and also, they took a risk with spin. That was a big,
15:19big, big risk. They had... Yesh Dayal was doing pretty well. So, they should have actually gone
15:24ahead and tried with... Started off with pace. And pace did well after the second, third over
15:30in the first two overs. And he was able to break the partnership of Rohit's... And that's the
15:37worrying factor for Mumbai is Rohit's form. So, I think, I have to tell Satish that I think this
15:44time the prediction may go vice-versa. Probably CSK will win. Thank you. Thank you. Bye.
15:52Okay. Chirag, in the first qualifier, Hardik should have bowled, isn't it? He didn't bowl
15:59even a single over. Because especially, he's got the habit of getting early wickets. And Chennai
16:05depended a lot on the opening partnership. So, would it have made any difference if Hardik had
16:11bowled? Look, I think, these are ifs and buts. And on the day, one can't really say... These are
16:23the kind of decisions you make as a captain. And sometimes, it goes your way. And sometimes,
16:27it doesn't. And it's one of those days where it quite hasn't gone their way with the ball.
16:33Saying that, I do feel that Hardik is at least a bowler who should give you 1-2 overs. Because
16:38he's got that skiddy. He rushes you. I have seen him bowl in the nets. And I have faced him as
16:44well. So, he comes off very gentle. He walks in. But then, he's skiddy. Because he's got a very
16:49quick action. So, he does surprise you. And he has the knack of picking crucial wickets. We know that.
16:54So, could he have bowled? Yes, no. But you have your sort of pattern already. You guys have done
17:01well for you. You are feeling good giving them the ball. They have delivered for you the whole
17:05season. So, I think, just one of those things on the day. I can't be too harsh on that.
17:11Yeah, okay. But what about Dhoni's decision to talk to the umpires for four minutes and
17:18keep that time, waste that time to make sure that Patirana bowls? Do you think it's a smart move?
17:25Dhoni is a genius. It's time. Now, it's been 16 seasons. I think everybody knows that Dhoni is
17:32a genius. And there is no two opinions about that. You know, wherever he goes in India,
17:37he is treated like it's his home ground. Chennai is like the home ground wherever Dhoni is.
17:43I think, I don't know if this is going to be his last season. But I think we will sure miss
17:49the Dhoni magic. And in Chennai, we will feel it. Because you remember when Jadeja took over
17:53the captaincy, what Chennai went through. This is the same team. Mind you, this is the same team.
17:58There is only one or two changes. No major changes. This team has struggled to make the playoffs.
18:05So, if somebody tells you that Dhoni is not making a difference as a captain, sorry.
18:14They do not know what's going on. They do not know what's going on. So, I don't know who's
18:18going to take over the reins when he goes. But it will be big, big shoes to fill.
18:23I think Chirag is being very diplomatic. I think Chirag is being diplomatic.
18:27No, no, no. He is supporting Chennai. So, I can't blame him.
18:34No, I am not giving any cutthroat answers. I am afraid of getting it wrong.
18:38So, I am supporting all teams. Very, very well said, Chirag.
18:42But the fact remains, there have been so much talk happening outside in the media,
18:48social media, everywhere. As a player, does it affect you? Because I am talking from your
18:53perspective. Because that's something which you can give us the input. As a player, will it affect you?
19:00It will affect everyone. You know, these kind of things. And what's the noise outside.
19:05And what the expectation is of everyone around you as team, as players. These things do matter.
19:11For players, you need that mental stability. And I think, it definitely plays a role on
19:19the mental side of things. Cricket, everybody is… Like we said, this guy has come from
19:24table cricket. And he started. It's all mental. So, it's a mental game when it comes to a certain
19:31level. All the players have tremendous ability. That's why they are there, I feel. Now, it's
19:35only about who holds the nerves and who rises to the occasion. So, I think the management,
19:40team, captain, all these things really do play a role, for sure.
19:45Yeah. Okay. Now, we are looking forward to the next game that is a qualifier 2.
19:51Each one of you, starting from Chirag, who do you think will win tomorrow's game?
19:58And then… Because before saying that, between Mumbai and Gujarat, they have played
20:05a total of 3 times. And Mumbai holds the edge. But Mumbai has not beaten Gujarat in Gujarat.
20:13Let me put it that way. So, now, who is your pick?
20:18You know what? I think all of you guys might disagree. But I will go with Gujarat. Somehow,
20:23I feel that they have… They sort of turn it around and they have something that… I just
20:30don't feel that Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan are going to… They are not finding the rhythm
20:36or something. And it's another big game. And Gujarat has a very, very good bowling lineup.
20:41So, I feel that if they don't quite get the start, it will be tough to get that 170-180. And
20:48you need that 170-180. Because this team has batting till Rashid Khan. Till number 9,
20:53they are batting. So, if we don't have a good total on the board, this team has got the batting
20:58bat first and score runs and chase. So, they have had a bad day against Chennai. But
21:05I think I am backing them to… Otherwise, I want to see Chennai and Gujarat.
21:13Gujarat-Chennai final.
21:14Adani. Adani, Gujarat.
21:20Okay. See, my heart says Mumbai. My head says Gujarat. So, whoever I have chosen…
21:25Very diplomatic.
21:27No. Whoever I have chosen, I have actually lost. Because I was thinking,
21:30Sunrise was on top. They are on the bottom. So, let me put it this way. My heart says Mumbai.
21:34Head says Gujarat.
21:36Okay. Ishaan.
21:38See, I mean, I won't be diplomatic here. I will stick my neck out. Simply,
21:43see, you look at Gujarat, I completely agree with Chirag. Because if you… See,
21:47player for player, if you look at Gujarat and Mumbai, Gujarat holds the edge. I told
21:54right at the beginning of the tournament, when I went through the whole list of players,
21:59the best and the most balanced team was Gujarat. Which is why I had at the time predicted that
22:04Gujarat would win the IPL. But now, the time has passed. We are on our last two matches.
22:12Now, it's between Mumbai and Gujarat. So, Mumbai, I had said that they may not even qualify.
22:19Because the team they have and the kind of injuries they have been carrying.
22:25Somebody like Jofra Archer and Bumrah, we spoke about their injuries many a time.
22:31And if you look at somebody like Madhavan, we didn't even hear. He is the guy who actually
22:36pushed them into the playoffs. If it was not for him, maybe Mumbai would have made it.
22:41But then, this is the team which knows to win. Not for nothing, they have five titles.
22:48So, to me, the strength of the team doesn't matter. Like Chirag was saying, finally,
22:54it's on the day who performs or how they perform or how they handle their nerves or
22:59how they handle the pressure point. That is what matters. The players don't matter. The
23:03player calibre doesn't matter. The experience doesn't matter. Who performs well on that
23:08particular day. I think the momentum is with Mumbai. And that might push them through.
23:15Not just that. Gujarat, if you look back, they have been on a roll throughout the league. They
23:20have had only two or three losses. And maybe this is the time they are stumbling. So, a sudden loss
23:27of confidence can affect you. But on the contrary, it can even lift you up. Okay, now that we have
23:32lost one match, let's put our heart and soul into it and bounce back. That could be the thinking as
23:37well. But I think the momentum is with Mumbai. And Mumbai might beat Gujarat this time around.
23:45Okay. Cham, since you said the players will be picking up. Who do you think will make
23:50the difference? Just a wild guess tomorrow. Just your pick.
23:54I wouldn't do that. Simply because if you look at Mumbai, it was sold by everybody.
24:00And somebody like Madhavan, nobody expected him to pick a fiver.
24:08So, it's difficult. But I can sort of blindly, if I can pick, okay, it's going to be Surya Kumar.
24:15Okay. Chirag?
24:19You want someone who is going to score for Mumbai?
24:24Either of the team. Who will be the top performer tomorrow?
24:30It's like a dream-loving kind of a situation.
24:34I feel that Hardik Pandya could come to the party. I want to see Hardik Pandya do well. And
24:41I think if we see Hardik Pandya do well going forward, T20, India needs a captain. And he is
24:49someone, especially with his three-dimensional game, batting, bowling and fielding. I think it's
24:57very good leadership qualities. I have seen him throughout the season. Wickets are falling.
25:01Him and Nehra are sitting at the back. No stress. They are enjoying themselves. They don't panic
25:09in tough situations. Even when wickets were falling, they were having a chat and they were
25:13checking in on things. And you see these kind of things in the dugout. Because when you go through
25:18these things, I feel that he is super calm and I think he will step up tomorrow. I hope so.
25:24Soni 2.0.
25:25Yes, absolutely. He is.
25:29Sai, who?
25:32I want Rohit Sharma desperately back into action. Because now the test match is coming. That will
25:36give him a lot of confidence if he performs well in T20 and with the World Test Championship at
25:42stake. And he is actually a performer during the main tournaments. Previously also we have seen,
25:49when there were talks of him being dropped, he comes at 264. So, I think this will be a chance
25:54for him to come back. Because his fielding is still ace, because of that run-out yesterday.
25:58So, for me, Rohit Sharma will be the top performer. He is expected to be the top performer.
26:04Lovely. Okay, you guys have your picks. Very good. Let's see what happens tomorrow.
26:09And then thanks everyone. Thank you all for joining. And please follow our website for
26:16latest news and updates, groutnews.com and all of our social media channels.
26:20Thank you all for joining, guys. Thank you.