India can’t bowl to left-handers
PBKS beat CSK (again), Khawaja won't be bowed by CA, a SWOT analysis of India's bowlers, & a Hayley interview
Sometimes it’s better not to be Super
PBKS has 5-in-a-row against CSK, Rahane can’t find form, & Yadav will get a bowling contract.
The Punjab Kings beat the Chennai Super Kings by 7 wickets. Cricket.com’s Shubh Aggarwal says that Ajinkya Rahane has been unable to replicate his power-hitting form, while also investigating what’s going wrong with CSK this year.
Mayank Yadav may miss the rest of the IPL due to injury, but he is in line to earn himself a BCCI bowling contract.
The Telegraph’s Nick Hoult writes about the scourge of the Impact Player Rule, and says it’s one IPL innovation he hopes doesn’t spread across cricket. [Paywall]
Economic Times’ Javed Farooqui reports on the state of advertisements in the IPL; SRK & Ajay Devgn have the most celebrity-endorsed ads, while Hardik Pandya & Virender Sehwag have the most cricketer-endorsed ads.
I was wondering if India had picked their best pacers for the World Cup…
…and I’m not sure they have. There are obvious reasons why you don’t pick Yadav, but why not Sharma or Deshpande? And Natarajan’s exclusion is unfathomable. He’s the best bowler in an IPL team that includes Pat Cummins.
By the way, I’ve set up a Twitter and Instagram account under @BestCricStories where I post all these graphs & images, and would appreciate the support if you like them!
Happiness can’t be derived from your boss
Khawaja moves past AUS’ decisions, Asian players can’t get games in Ireland, & Cam Steel has 20 county wickets already.
Reproduced from the Wisden Almanac 2024, Daniel Brettig has a great interview with Usman Khawaja about not letting Cricket Australia get in the way of his happiness.
The Part-Timer’s Nathan Johns talks to Simi Singh, Ireland’s Indian-origin off-spinner, about his involuntary retirement, the odd lack of opportunities for Asian players in Ireland, and more.
The Guardian’s Taha Hashim writes about Surrey’s latest star; all-rounder Cameron Steel who has already picked up 20 wickets in three County Championship matches.
ESPNcricinfo’s Srinidhi Ramanujam writes about D Hemalatha’s 41-run burst at the top of India’s innings against Bangladesh yesterday, and how she is rounding herself back into form.
Cricket.com’s Pramod Ananth looks back at the Gillette Cup, the first 50-over tournament in cricket.
India can’t bowl to left-handers
A SWOT analysis of IND’s bowlers, can Dube be an X-factor, and nurturing Fraser-McGurk.
Cricket8’s Shayan Ahmad Khan analyses India’s bowling options. My biggest takeaway is that they’re incredibly susceptible to left-handed batters. Hindustan Times’ Sanjjeev K Samyal writes that Yuzvendra Chahal can be the country’s missing link in attack.
ESPNcricinfo’s Hemant Brar & S Rajesh write about the differences in Sanju Samson’s game that might have got him a call up. Hindustan Times’ Nikhil Narain thinks that Shivam Dube can be India’s X-factor at the tournament.
Cricbuzz’s Bharat Sundaresan explains that Cricket Australia wants to be patient with Jake Fraser-McGurk, while Cricket South Africa’s President is concerned that only one black player was able to be called up for the World Cup squad.
The imported pitches have touched down in America, and have been built for entertainment and big scores.
AB de Villiers has his weekly video up, and this time out he’s evaluating everyone’s World Cup squads. Disclaimer; he does think India’s team has “fantastic balance”.
A chat with a legend
Hayley Matthews in PAK, the fascinating career of Sai Sudarshan, & is selling The Hundred teams a good idea?
Grassroots Cricket’s Hijab Zahid catches up with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews as her team is touring (and winning in) Pakistan.
Red Inker’s Jarrod Kimber & Behram Qazi discuss the short and fascinating IPL career of Sai Sudarshan. [Apple Podcasts]
The Final Word’s Geoff Lemon & Adam Collins discuss the England & Wales Cricket Board’s decision to sell a 49% stake in The Hundred teams for £500 million. [Apple Podcasts]
Editor’s Note
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