Gully Boys of Cricket

On September 13 2020, at Santander Triathlon, Spanish triathlete Diego Mentrida gave up his podium finish to British rival James Teagle who made an error at a turn, meters from the finish line. In a moment of supreme sportsmanship that caught attention of the world, Diego stopped so James can cross the finish line first. In this special episode, listen to Diego Mentrida talk to host Prakash Wadhwa, about that moment, finding balance between winning and sportsmanship, and making an all important connection between sports and society.  

"I didn't want to be on the podium in that fashion, my position was behind him" - Diego

This story of grace and sportsmanship has a parallel to 2019 Cricket world cup final, meanwhile the organizers have awarded Diego with a honorary third position. 

What do tied super overs at IPL in presence of leaders Anil Kumble and Kumar Sangakara signify? Why is Zimbabwe coach Lalchand Rajput pulled away from Pakistan tour, shouldn't this be a question asked by the ICC? Does ICC exist in the power position that it should as a governing body? & a discussion on role of India in leading cricket.  Host Prakash Wadhwa is joined by Darshit Pandya (NZ), Sapan Dholakia (Ind), and Tyrelle Audain (Trinidad) in this freewheeling conversation. 

What is the purpose of having rules in sports? Are there instances where common sense can override the rules? Join host Prakash Wadhwa as he talks with Aaron Kumar, #sharethetrophy leader and an ardent Tennis fan, who brings a very interesting talk on Novak Djokovic disqualification from the US open, and draws a parallel to the World Cup Final result of 2019. 

Host Prakash Wadhwa and #ShareTheTrophy leader Aaron Kumar discuss the relevance of common sense and satisfaction in defining history. Aaron brings forth couple elements from recent news, Mark Ramprakash, ex England player, thought New Zealand won when #CWC19 final was tied. Also, ICC reversal of a Pakistan-England Test match result from 2006 provides an important parallel to correcting 2019 World Cup result. 

A World Cup result remains unfair, handling of the situation remains questionable, fans have time and again shown their resentment with #CWC19 result, but ICC remains silent since a Big Two team was awarded the trophy, how clean is the game at the end? Host Prakash Wadhwa and #ShareTheTrophy leader Darshit Pandya discuss the opportunity that lies in front of ICC to unite the cricket community by addressing a result that is obviously not clean. 

'Inability of the players to be match ready" reason cited by ICC for postponing Women's ODI World Cup in New Zealand. Host Prakash Wadhwa along with Darshit Pandya from New Zealand ponder on any genuine reasons for the postponement, and the message this sends to value of women's game relative to men's game.  

Host Prakash Wadhwa along with #ShareTheTrophy leader Aaron Kumar discuss key observations from World Cup final anniversary. How telling is the choice to stay silent of star players on the anniversary? Fans are beginning to question integrity of that result, how good is that for the game? The importance of inspiring generations, Eoin Morgan agreed the result in unfair, the role of subcontinent fans towards justice for #CWC19 final & more. 

Are India and England the developing Big Two of cricket? Is Australia falling out of the Big Three power position? Host Prakash Wadhwa along with Aaron Kumar from England discuss the lessons on state of world cricket we are learning from the bio-secure English summer.  

A world cup is postponed by ICC & IPL 2020 has a green signal. How important is this moment for the game and its power dynamics? Host Prakash Wadhwa along with Darshit Pandya and Sapan Dholakia discuss this moment and India's role in providing a balanced leadership.

Who are most likely to be in a future set of Fab 4? Does the present set of Fab4 need an expansion? Join host Prakash Wadhwa along with Robin Rounder and Priyansh Chandra from India as each bring forth their own selection of players for a future set of Fab 4.

Can cricket afford to be a vehicle for a few in times of crisis? With cricket tours and schedules out of balance, where is ICC as a balancing power of the game? Should there be more talk on equality within the game? Aaron Kumar from England brings out powerful points on fairness, equality and #sharethetrophy in this conversation with host Prakash Wadhwa. #ENGvWI

If IPL was not an option, would we consider postponing T20 World Cup? How much power does ICC have as a governing body? IPL with Indian players only? World cricket at neutral venues Down Under free from Corona? Join host Prakash Wadhwa along with Darshit Pandya (New Zealand) and Sapan Dholakia (India) on this freewheeling conversation on underlying currents of power in world of cricket.

Did you know England shared an ODI trophy at Lord's after a tied final? Did you know this ignited England's greatest cricket summer and 2005 Ashes? Aaron Kumar from England shares this memory of a strikingly similar match to 2019 World cup final in this conversation with host Prakash Wadhwa. 

Aaron Kumar from England brings in important theme of fairness in Corona crisis with West Indian summer tour to England as an example. Is cricket ready to restart or is it the broadcast deals forcing the restart button? How fair is IPL in place of WT20 for the smaller nations? How fair on players and families to be quarantined in foreign lands for weeks? Join host Prakash Wadhwa and Aaron on this important subject of humanity in times of crisis.  

In this part 2 of conversation on Virat Kohli's captaincy era and India's global trophy drought, host Prakash Wadhwa along with Priyansh Chandra, Robin Rounder and Vikalp Thakor, discuss India's leadership options post-Corona. Can India afford having different captains for different formats? How long do we see Virat's era lasting? 

How would you want to remember Virat Kohli's captaincy era? Is Virat's captaincy plan on track despite being one of the most successful captains of all time? Do the controversies around team management have a role in trophy drought? What is the yardstick for appropriately backing a player? Host Prakash Wadhwa is joined by Priyansh Chandra and Robin Rounder from India and Vikalp Thakor from the US, in a freewheeling conversation on India's lack of global trophies over the past 6 years and Virat's time at the helm so far. 

We talk of questionable umpiring, we talk of boundary count at #CWC19 final, but in these bigger controversies we forget that there was no toss at the super over either. While global T20 leagues that provided super over - boundary count to ICC, were starting to use toss at the super over, how did ICC miss it for a 50 over game? Join host Prakash Wadhwa along and #sharethetrophy advocate Darshit Pandya sharing the super over research that highlights the importance of toss and yet another uncontrollable that evening. 

What is one result in history that you would like to change? What is one memory you would like to erase? ICC asks for fan opinion but ignores the overwhelming emotion of fans on #CWC19 final. Clearly, it raises question of integrity, and leaves one wondering if there is a bigger story to the World Cup final? Catch Darshit Pandya in conversation with host Prakash Wadhwa. 

Does cricket need tie-breakers at all? Isn't tie a genuine result in the game of cricket? What can Tennis and Football tell cricket about tie-breakers? Join Aaron Kumar with host Prakash Wadhwa in this final part of a 3 part conversation on #CWC19 side stories including discussion on dead-ball rule, the role of MCC in the game, #KumarDharmasena part of MCC, & #SpiritOfCricket. 

What is MCC and its role in cricket? Umpire Kumar Dharmasena, part of MCC cricket committee, and spirit of cricket? In this part 2 of developing stories from World Cup final, join Aaron Kumar and host Prakash Wadhwa on fine balance of rules and spirit of cricket.