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00:00I think the same XI will play. That played in Delhi. They like to have that depth in the batting.
00:07I think Shahrukh has been in reasonably good form with the ball. He has done a really good job as a touch schemer.
00:12And I think Hardik has actually complimented that. So, I don't see any changes happening from the last game.
00:18And you probably won't see too many changes in the World Cup unless someone is injured.
00:22Welcome to Straight Bad with Gulf News, our video chat on the World Cup. I am Shyam Krishna and joining me are Satish, our Gulf News Sports Editor and Senior Associate Editor Ashfaq Ahmed.
00:39We have two very special guests today. Robin Singh, former India player and former UAE coach. We have UAE opener with us, that is Chirag Suri. Welcome gentlemen. Welcome to the show.
00:50Thanks, Shyam.
00:51The World Cup has been 10 matches old, lots of action and at least one major upset. So, let's dive in and find out what our guests have to say.
00:59Robin, first up, it's you. What are your impressions of the 10 matches so far?
01:04I think it's pretty keenly contested. You can't really predict who is going to win the games. Most of the teams are evenly matched.
01:17And I think, you know, with the playing conditions today, it's important that you consistently have good batting throughout the tournament.
01:26I think the key factor will be the bowlers, right? Whichever team has good bowling, especially in the middle overs of the game, they are the ones who are going to actually succeed.
01:38Because if you take the India-Australia game, for example, where India won, I think that's where they strangled the Australians.
01:46So, right now, the Australians are struggling. They seem to be lost a little bit. I think the combinations are all over the place.
01:54And you know, the moment you start making drastic changes, especially this early in the tournament, it's definitely a red flag as far as I am concerned.
02:04So, I think they will find it difficult to go through to the last stages of the tournament.
02:10Chirag, what do you think of the game so far? Has it gone according to the script? Or you see anything other than the major upset in the first match?
02:17Look, I think it's been pretty much what we expected. You know, high-scoring games, good batting wickets in general.
02:27We've had a couple of teams, you know, struggle batting first. But we've seen that wickets got better, you know, second half of the game.
02:35I think, overall, I think the surprise for me has been the way South Africa came out and they've played.
02:41You know, I think they've been very positive, looking very solid, batting-wise, bowling-wise as well, the spinners as well.
02:49I think, you know, a lot of the teams, you know, who've got good fast bowling have fell short in their spin department.
02:56But South Africa is a very balanced team and, you know, everybody writes them off in World Cups.
03:00We know what tag we've given them over the years. But I don't know. I don't know. After the first few games, I think you might see, you know, South Africa looking good throughout the tournament.
03:12I think, you know, New Zealand's looked good as well. Solid as well. And let's see how things go. So far, I think so good.
03:20India's had two clinical games. The batting has, you know, showed up. We've talked about the top three guys getting runs.
03:26And I think we've seen that in all games so far. You know, all the openers, number three, number four have got runs.
03:33And this is what you see. When the top order does well, I think you see those 300, that 300 being surpassed.
03:42And then after that, you know, it's just about taking early wickets and then the pressure just keeps building.
03:46So, yeah, I think it's been good so far and exciting, exciting day tomorrow.
03:51All right. Before we come to tomorrow's match, Satish, 10 matches gone so far in the tournament. Do you see any kind of a pattern or a trend emerging?
04:00It's by and large, as we all spoke about it, it's good start. The spinners come into the play in the middle overs. You need to curtail the runs.
04:10Of course, the early wickets, you could get. Because in one-tires or T20, the start is making a big difference these days.
04:18So, if you look at the teams that have done well, all the teams that have done well have been served well by the openers.
04:24So, I think we are very much seeing a very similar pattern. But yes, as we thought, the surprise package was South Africa doing well.
04:34At the same time, Australia not doing well. Yes, Australia didn't have the team coming into the tournament.
04:41The spin department was pretty weak. At least, I thought the batsmen would do well. But sadly, in two matches, they have not crossed 200 runs with such a strong batting lineup.
04:49That's a bit of a worry for them. As Robin says, they have made two changes after the first game, which is something we don't do in such a long tournament.
05:00So, in all, it's going in a very nice way towards the teams that are already in the wake with a couple of wins under Kitty.
05:11At the same time, it's going to get worse and worse for the teams that have not got any victories.
05:16Because almost every team has played two games. And the gap will start building up from now on if the team don't respond in a positive way.
05:26Ashfaq, you are a Pakistan expert. So, I'm going to pepper you with questions on Pakistan.
05:30In our last video chat, you said the bowling was a worry, but batting doesn't seem to be a worry after having chased down a record score against Sri Lanka. Your impressions?
05:39Yes, Shyam, as I said, Pakistan's batting was a worry, but they are doing well, very well.
05:46In the last year's highest-ever chase, 344 runs in the World Cup, that proved that Pakistan has a very strong batting lineup compared to its bowling attack.
05:55Bowling attack, Shyam Afridi is not performing. And apart from Haris Rao, Hassan is doing well in respect for Naseem Shah, replacing Naseem Shah.
06:07But I would say that it's a huge morale-boosting last win, because that proved that they are able to chase.
06:15And this is a good sign for Pakistan. And coming to this big match with this big win is definitely a positive sign for the team.
06:25Robin, back to the India scene, basically. Before the World Cup, they talked about the India conditions, the subcontinent conditions, and fair spin will play a huge role.
06:37But we have, by and large, got batting wickets. Do you expect this trend to continue, the trend of high-scoring matches?
06:44Yeah, I mean, if you look at the wickets in India, most of the wickets, right? And especially at this time of the year, the wickets are generally good for batting.
06:54They are not tired wickets. It's the start of a season. So, you will get reasonably good batting wickets, I am pretty sure.
07:01And remember, each venue had enough time to prepare those wickets as well. And it's not the hottest part of the year.
07:09So, you will find that the wickets are generally very good for batting. If you look at any of the venues, it's relatively the same.
07:17Chennai, probably, has been one of the hottest places. And we have seen that the wickets are a little slow, right?
07:23But apart from that, I don't see much change in what we expect in terms of good batting surfaces throughout the venue.
07:32And I expect the same tomorrow as well for the game in Ahmedabad.
07:36Alright. We will come to Ahmedabad match a little later. But Chirag, have you had any surprises in the tournament so far?
07:46Okay, the biggest surprise was England. But other than that?
07:49Look, I think, not surprises, I would say. But we have been quite right in terms of what discussions we had previously as well.
08:00I think we saw that the teams in general, with the strong batting up top and the guys delivering up top.
08:07I think we missed Shubh Mangal from an Indian point of view. I think, especially in that first game, when we lost those couple of early wickets.
08:15You know, Ishan played a reckless shot. You don't need to. You are chasing such a low score and then you lost another couple of wickets.
08:22So, you need a stable opening combination. You need a stable number three.
08:26And we have seen Quinton De Kock getting runs. And you have seen how smooth it has been for South Africa.
08:31You have seen Rachin Ravindra score runs and how it has been for New Zealand.
08:34So, that top three, like we said, once they deliver, I think it's a smooth sailing for the teams.
08:40When they have good opening stands, especially up top.
08:44My surprise would be, I think, England. I have not been impressed with the way England has played so far.
08:52I think they have fallen a bit short of the expectation.
08:54Especially with the amount of cricket. Their players have been playing with the IPL and coming to India so regularly.
09:01I would have felt that they would have adapted to the conditions faster.
09:04But it's still early days. We can't write anyone off right now.
09:08But I was expecting a better show from England, I would say.
09:12And South Africa has surprised me, like I have said.
09:15And Sri Lanka, again, they are batting exceptionally well.
09:19I think better than what I expected. Even Pakistan.
09:22But Sri Lanka just doesn't have the bowling depth.
09:25If you can't defend 345, the batsmen did what they can.
09:29If you can't do that, then it's going to be tough for you.
09:35You can't put it all on the batsmen every single time.
09:38Satish, in terms of surprises, Australia's capitulation in two matches has been a surprise, isn't it?
09:47But you also, previously, had talked about how thin their spin department has been.
09:51But you can never write off Australia, isn't it?
09:54But do you think they will found bones back?
09:56They should, Shyam. But I doubt.
10:01Because this time, both the departments look very thin.
10:06I don't know what went through their selection process.
10:08If you look at the batting, it's dependent on two main batsmen, Warner and Smith.
10:12And the bowling is also on the two or three fast bowlers that they have.
10:15And on Indian wickets, the fast bowlers generally don't get enough purchase.
10:19But at least they were bowling a lot of cutters in the previous matches, which I didn't see them doing it in the last couple of games.
10:25So, all together, they have not done well.
10:29But you can't write them off for sure.
10:31But coming two losses against two top contenders, that is, India and South Africa, who are also going to compete with you,
10:37then that makes it that much more difficult for you to come back.
10:41Because at the end of it, then you will be dependent on somebody else beating these two players' teams.
10:46Then you have to come in.
10:48So, a lot of permutation combinations work then, come into play then.
10:52So, in that sense, I think Australia are very, very thick wicket right now.
10:58Which even if they do very well in the next six matches or other seven matches, it's going to be difficult for them to come through.
11:04Ashfaq, again, back to you with the Pakistan question.
11:08And this time about the bowling.
11:10Is bowling a worry, especially the spin?
11:13I would even say the paceman also.
11:15Shaheen Shah has not been at his best.
11:17And the spin has been quite bad for Pakistan.
11:20Yeah, absolutely, Shyam.
11:22I would say, only trump card is Haris Rauf.
11:27We have, I think they should play this leg spinner against India.
11:31I would insist on that because this is the time for him to prove himself.
11:35As a new guy, India team hasn't played him.
11:39And of course, Shaheen Shah really have to perform tomorrow.
11:44Otherwise, there's no other match to perform.
11:47And they have been talking.
11:49Mickey Arthur apparently has devised some secret plan with the team yesterday in the nets.
11:56So, let's see whether it works or not.
12:00Ashfaq bhai, did they call you with a secret plan?
12:05Kind of planned.
12:06But they hope they can break the jinx this time.
12:10World Cup jinx.
12:12Several losses in the last nine World Cups.
12:15So, they are hoping for this.
12:18I would personally say if Pakistan win the tour, they should elect to field.
12:23I think their batting lineup is better than their bowling lineup right now.
12:27Asif Shafiq is firm.
12:28Openers in the key.
12:29Babar Azam hasn't fired yet.
12:31He has to perform.
12:32Otherwise, it's going to be tough.
12:37Robin, you've been part of the India setup.
12:39You have an insight into them.
12:41After two matches, what do you make of the Indian team?
12:43Because generally, the public goes like after two big wins,
12:47India is the team to beat or they're going to win the World Cup.
12:51But give us a reality check on the situation.
12:54I think it's pretty simple as far as I see it.
12:57I mean, judging from the comments that I've heard and some of the interviews that the
13:01players have given and most of the players who I know, I think they consider it a pretty
13:09special World Cup in India.
13:11Most of the players are on the verge of playing the last World Cup.
13:15And I would say that most of them are actually in pretty tough form.
13:19So, the fact that they have been extremely mature players now.
13:26If you see the approach of Roy Sharma, for example, it's not just about this game.
13:29But I've been watching him for the past six months.
13:33He's changed his approach.
13:35He's a lot more solid.
13:37And he's critical to the success of the team.
13:40And similarly with someone like Kohli.
13:43I think for me, the biggest plus has been DL Rahul.
13:47He's somebody who has stepped in, stepped up and has played as well as anybody else.
13:52And that has really actually strengthened the depth of the batting.
13:56And I would say that most of these guys would take the game as a particular game rather
14:04than taking it as an India-Pakistan game.
14:07To actually eliminate all the outside pressure that is happening, right?
14:11And you see that they're not too much into the news.
14:14They're pretty much in their own space.
14:17And that's how you would probably want to be in a tournament like this.
14:20Because it's a pretty long tournament.
14:22And you need to ensure that you don't get into any unnecessary stuff.
14:27You stay calm.
14:28You prepare yourself well.
14:30And you don't have to really practice during these tournaments.
14:33Because I think you've done enough practice.
14:34It's only really to go out there and execute what you want to achieve.
14:39I think importantly, I think the overall department, the overall team is doing very well.
14:47The bowling is looking really good.
14:48And you still have someone like Shami who is sitting out, who is a top bowler, right?
14:56So, if I do have a comparison with the Pakistan team, there are a few holes in the Pakistan
15:02team at this point in time.
15:04They have to fill a few gaps.
15:06I can't see too many in the Indian team, right?
15:09So, at this point in time.
15:10I think another really big plus is that Hardik has actually bowled reasonably well in the
15:14tournament so far.
15:16And getting into his own.
15:17So, I mean, they have literally covered most of the bases.
15:21I think the feeling has been pretty good as well.
15:24Which is one area that was always a bit of a concern.
15:27So, in general, I think they are in a really good space.
15:31It will be tough.
15:32It will be tough for oppositions to take them down that easily.
15:36Because they become pretty resilient the way they play the cricket now.
15:40And they are not afraid.
15:42I think that's more important.
15:44They will go out there and play really good cricket.
15:48Chirag, Robin made a point about Shami.
15:52I mean, it pains us to see a player of Shami's quality sitting outside, isn't it?
15:58But at the same time, Mohamed Siraj hasn't had two good games.
16:03Do you think it's time for Shami to elbow his way into the team?
16:07Look, I think we have got a good combination going with Shami and Debumra.
16:13They complement each other at the top quite well.
16:15So, right now, I don't think we need to play around with the side too much.
16:21I think go with the same side.
16:22You know, Siraj has done so well.
16:25You know, we saw him in that Australian series as well.
16:27And what a threat he was with the new ball, old ball.
16:30You know, especially even in the depth.
16:32Right now, we haven't really been tested by anyone.
16:34You know, especially in the depth as well.
16:36So, let's see.
16:37Let's see how it goes.
16:38You know, give it a couple of more games.
16:39I think definitely, I agree with Robin.
16:43The way the middle order.
16:44You know, we always spoke about how our batting in the middle has not been, you know, at the best.
16:50You know, especially after those early wickets fell.
16:52The way KL Rahul batted, the way Virat batted, I think.
16:54It just goes to show that, you know, what depth we have in our batting.
16:57And, you know, it's all looking good for Team India right now.
17:01We are very, very excited to, you know, see the game tomorrow.
17:04And I think we are in a good space.
17:07I think the openers are doing well.
17:08Guys have got runs.
17:09Bowlers are taking wickets.
17:11Jadeja is spinning it square.
17:13And I think we are in good stead before the game.
17:17Satish, let me put the same thing to you.
17:20How do you expect tomorrow's game to pan out?
17:22We have seen Pakistan play two matches.
17:24India play two matches.
17:25So, we have a fairly good idea of how it's going to pan out.
17:29So, and of course, being arch rivals and the amount of pressure there.
17:32Will it make a difference?
17:34Chum, going by the… looking at the two past matches,
17:38India is in very, very good form.
17:41Everything is set.
17:42Everything is going well.
17:44Whereas Pakistan still haven't peaked in terms of their bowling.
17:47And of course, our last game, they managed to get some runs behind their belt.
17:52So, that will give them the confidence.
17:55Of course, the attack, bowling attack is different to what…
17:59Sri Lanka's attack is different to Indian attack.
18:01But on the whole, whatever be the case, tomorrow's game is different.
18:05Because when you enter a game, it's a new day, new beginning.
18:08And that kind of a scenario, you cannot really write off Pakistan.
18:12So, I'm sure it will be as tough as possible.
18:16At the same time, you can't look at these two past matches and say,
18:21OK, yes, you can think that it could be an edge
18:25and that confidence can rub off on those matches.
18:28But still, you cannot take any match lightly and especially the one against Pakistan.
18:33So, they will come back very hard tomorrow.
18:36Because as like every other match, it's not about just India game.
18:40So, it's going to be…
18:42Hopefully, it should be a cracker of a game.
18:44And I expect it to be a very close contest than what we think.
18:48Ashfaq, an India-Pakistan game is not like any other game.
18:52The form book goes out of the window.
18:54The form doesn't matter.
18:56None of these things matter.
18:58Players have enormous pressure heaved on them.
19:01So, that pressure is the main factor in an India-Pakistan match.
19:05How do you think tomorrow's match will pan out?
19:06So far, all the games have been warm-up games.
19:09And tomorrow, the World Cup is starting.
19:10Let's be honest.
19:11Tomorrow is the opening ceremony.
19:13Even ICC is doing all the events tomorrow.
19:16Nothing was done for the first game.
19:19It's all happening tomorrow.
19:20Yeah.
19:20All the performance and everything is happening tomorrow.
19:23This is the actual opening ceremony of the World Cup.
19:25Let me tell you that.
19:27We can't disagree with you.
19:28That is the biggest match of the tournament.
19:31Absolutely right.
19:32Tomorrow is the blockbuster of the game.
19:37I see India definitely on cards.
19:40As Robin said, it's a way better team than Pakistan.
19:43They have a lot of loopholes.
19:44But, you know, the Pakistan team is very unpredictable.
19:48You never know.
19:49There's a dark house like Abdullah Shafiq in the last match.
19:53He scores NC out of nowhere.
19:55So we have to see if they can get India out under 300.
20:03Then probably we'll have a match.
20:04Above 300 is going to be a very, very tough game if Pakistan is betting second.
20:09And if Pakistan is betting first, they have to go 320, 330 to make a match.
20:15Because for 300 runs, India can score easily,
20:18having seen the Pakistani bowling lineup.
20:21But tomorrow's match, I would say they should drop Imam and bring in Fakhar.
20:26Fakhar has good record against India and probably he will do better
20:30because he had already been made to sit outside against Sri Lanka.
20:36He must have a good thinking over his performance.
20:40So I would say Babar, Fakhar, Abdullah Shafiq and Rizwan.
20:45So if the top order works, then probably we'll give good tough time to India.
20:51Otherwise, if the top order didn't perform,
20:54then probably it's going to be a very, very tough call for Pakistan.
20:57But again, we believe in our nation,
21:00believe in like a lot of prayers behind that match that everybody does.
21:05But we believe in more miracles than performance.
21:11Let's see if the miracle happens and if they can break the chinks tomorrow.
21:15But definitely it's going to be the biggest game,
21:18as Chirag said, the tournament is starting tomorrow.
21:22We can't disagree with you on that.
21:24With one more question, I will wrap up.
21:26Last question over to you, Robin.
21:28Do you see any changes in the Indian team?
21:32Will Shami make way for, will he come in for Siraj or will Shardul be replaced by Ashwin?
21:39Because we are playing in Ahmedabad, where England lost to New Zealand.
21:44No, I don't really see any change.
21:45I think the same XI will play, that played in Delhi.
21:50They like to have that depth in the batting.
21:53I think Shardul has been in reasonably good form with the ball.
21:55He's done a really good job as a touch schemer.
21:58And I think Hardik has actually complimented that.
22:00So I don't see any changes happening from the last game.
22:04And you probably won't see too many changes in the World Cup unless someone is injured.
22:09If at all, I don't really know if Shubman would play.
22:13I think it's very tough coming back from that, you know, in-game.
22:18You need to rest up because it's a high-pressure game.
22:21And you don't want to get into a situation where there is a relapse or something.
22:25So, honestly speaking, I see the same team playing tomorrow.
22:29All right.
22:30Thank you very much, gentlemen.
22:31Thank you, viewers, for joining us for the latest updates and breaking news.
22:36Please head over to gulfnews.com and all our social media channels.
22:39Thank you and goodbye.