The Cricket Podcast

Who is the team to truly fear in IPL 2026? Just five games into the season, the league hierarchy is already looking like a total rollercoaster. In this episode of The Cricket Podcast, we break down a whirlwind opening week that has left some giants reeling and others looking absolutely lethal. We dive deep into the tactical shifts and standout performances defining the early narrative of the 2026 tournament, analyzing whether these trends are here to stay or just a flash in the pan. We start with the Rajasthan Royals masterclass against Chennai Super Kings. Nandre Burger’s dismantling of the Yellow Army has propelled the Royals to the top of the IPL 2026 points table with a staggering +4.171 net run rate. Not far behind, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a massive statement at the Chinnaswamy with Jacob Duffy leading a clinical victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, proving their bowling unit finally has the bite to match their superstar batting. The fireworks continued at the Wankhede as Mumbai Indians pulled off a high-octane chase against Kolkata Knight Riders, spearheaded by Shardul Thakur. We also analyze Cooper Connolly’s ice-cold debut for Punjab Kings and the tactical clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals. Join us for the latest IPL 2026 highlights and our early-season power rankings. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6313687373840384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our final preview show, The Cricket Podcast finally get around to looking at last year's runners up, Punjab Kings, alongside Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. The Royals may have given away Sanju Samson, but they've got their new superstar now. A year older, maybe a year better, we wonder whether the now 15-year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi can show his prowess over a full IPL season. With some moves made to shore up the middle order, can RR deliver a better season? PBKS were the nearly men last year, and have stuck with much the same formula. Shreyas Iyer's men are aiming for solidity and competence to see them through this year, within a tournament more commonly sprinkled with extremes. Is it finally their time? Last but not least, we turn to Delhi. With King Legend back at the top of the order and a strong looking bowling line-up, could they be the dark horses of the tournament? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re cutting through the PR and "process" talk to look at the high-stakes gambles defining IPL 2026. This is a tactical breakdown of three franchises that have completely nuked their old identities to build something more volatile. Lucknow Super Giants have officially killed off the KL Rahul era. By handing the captaincy to Rishabh Pant and pulling off a blockbuster trade for Mohammed Shami, LSG has gone full "vibes and violence." We debate whether Pant’s chaotic leadership is the spark this sterile franchise needed, or if a lack of batting anchors will lead to a total car crash. Sunrisers Hyderabad made the shock move of the off-season by trading Shami away. It’s a massive middle finger to traditional bowling balance, proving they are obsessed with outrunning every target. With Pat Cummins leading a thin domestic pace attack, the pressure on Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen to post 240-plus scores every night is astronomical. Gujarat Titans have created the most terrifying opening partnership in the league by pairing Shubman Gill with Jos Buttler. While their top order looks like a cheat code, the real intrigue is in the middle. We look at why they dropped ₹8.4 crore on uncapped sensation Auqib Dar and whether this "top-heavy" blueprint can survive a long season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of the podcast is a deep-dive tactical preview of the IPL 2026 season, breaking down the massive off-season moves for the league's big four franchises. We are moving past the hype to look at the cold, hard data defining the 2026 trophy race. We start with the "New Look" Chennai Super Kings. After a disastrous 2025 where they finished at the bottom, the front office finally hit the reset button. We break down the blockbuster trade that sent Ravindra Jadeja out to bring Sanju Samson in. It is a total shift in philosophy for the Yellow Army, moving away from "safety first" toward an aggressive, spin-hitting middle order. We also look at their gamble on uncapped speedsters and whether Noor Ahmad can carry a spin attack at Chepauk without veteran backup. Then there is the Mumbai Indians, who seem to have finally moved past the captaincy drama of the last two years. With Hardik Pandya firmly at the helm and Rohit Sharma still providing the veteran backbone, MI looks like a clinical machine again. We analyze the return of Quinton de Kock and why Shardul Thakur might be the "missing link" for their death bowling—an area that leaked critical runs in the 2025 playoffs. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, are in a fascinating position. After 18 years of waiting, Rajat Patidar delivered the trophy in 2025. Now, the challenge is the "double." We discuss the massive acquisition of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and how his Powerplay control changes the game for Virat Kohli. Can they survive the first few weeks without Josh Hazlewood, or will their pace depth be their undoing? Finally, we look at the Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR hijacked the auction, dropping record sums on Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana. We debate if Ajinkya Rahane can actually control a team with this much volatile power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Cricket Podcast, we break down India’s historic victory as they are crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 champions! Relive the magic from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the Men in Blue secured a dominant 96-run win over New Zealand to become the first team ever to defend the T20 title on home soil. We dive deep into the India vs New Zealand final scorecard, analyzing Sanju Samson’s masterclass innings that earned him Player of the Tournament and Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal opening spell. Is this the greatest Indian white-ball era? With three consecutive ICC trophies now in the cabinet—including the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy—we discuss India’s undisputed dominance in world cricket. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6313687373840384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we break down an absolute blockbuster at the Wankhede! India has marched into the T20 World Cup 2026 Final after a pulse-pounding 7-run victory over England. It was a game of "what ifs" and "could have beens" as 499 runs were scored in a single night—a record for a Men’s T20 World Cup match. We deep-dive into Sanju Samson’s redemption arc. After being dropped on 15, Samson made England pay with a blistering 89 off 42 balls, proving exactly why he belongs on the biggest stage. His masterclass propelled India to a mammoth 253/7, the highest score in a T20WC knockout. But the story didn't end there. England’s 22-year-old sensation Jacob Bethell nearly pulled off the impossible, smashing a legendary 105 off 48 balls. We analyze his heartbreaking run-out in the final over and how Jasprit Bumrah’s death-bowling masterclass (conceding just 6 runs in the 18th over) saved the day for the Men in Blue. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6313687373840384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack and Max dissect the first T20 World Cup semi-final where unbeaten South Africa took on New Zealand at Eden Gardens. Batting first, SA struggled, with Marco Jansen dragging SA to an okay but undercooked total. From then on it was all about one man - Finn Allen. He blitzed a 33-ball ton, the fastest in world cup history, as NZ romped home to a 9 wicket win to book their place in the final. Will they face India or England? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we break down a night of pure theatre at Eden Gardens as Sanju Samson played a knock for the ages to send India into the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Chasing a daunting 196 in what was effectively a virtual quarter-final against the West Indies on 1 March, Samson silenced the critics with a breathtaking 97 off just 50 balls*. We dive deep into the tactical mastery of Samson’s innings, which featured 12 fours and 4 sixes, guiding India to a 5-wicket victory with 4 balls to spare. We also recap a frantic final 72 hours of Super 8 action that decided the final four. From South Africa’s clinical 5-wicket win over Zimbabwe to secure the top spot in Group 1, to Pakistan’s heartbreaking exit despite a thrilling 5-run victory over Sri Lanka on 28 February—where Sahibzada Farhan’s heroic century (100 off 60) wasn't enough to overcome New Zealand’s superior net run rate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Cricket Podcast, we dive into the high-stakes drama of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s, where the semi-final picture is finally becoming clear. England have become the first team to officially qualify for the knockouts, completing a remarkable turnaround after a shaky start to the tournament. We break down Harry Brook’s sensational match-winning century against Pakistan that punched their ticket to the semi-finals. With their place secured, we ask: is this the most balanced England T20 side we’ve seen in years? Meanwhile, India have kept their World Cup dreams alive with a dominant 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai. After a bruising loss to South Africa, the Men in Blue found their spark through an Abhishek Sharma masterclass and a clinical bowling performance. We look ahead to Sunday’s "virtual quarter-final" at Eden Gardens, where India must defeat the West Indies to join the Proteas in the last four. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Cricket Podcast we break down the massive T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 upsets that have blown Group 1 wide open. First, we analyse how South Africa ended India’s 12-match winning streak in a dominant 76-run victory in Ahmedabad. Was it David Miller’s explosive 63 or a rare failure from the Indian top order? We dive deep into the India vs South Africa highlights to see if the Proteas have finally found the formula to win big ICC trophies. Next, we ask the burning question: Are England back? After a clinical 51-run win over Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Harry Brook’s side looks like a serious contender again. We review Will Jacks’ game-changing bowling performance and discuss whether England's aggressive style will hold up against Pakistan’s spinners in the next round. Plus, we cover the fallout of the Pakistan vs New Zealand rain-out and what the current T20 World Cup points table means for semi-final qualification scenarios. Can India recover their Net Run Rate, or is a shock exit on the cards? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6313687373840384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Cricket Podcast, we pick through the wreckage of the most chaotic week in international cricket as Australia crash and burn in the T20 World Cup group stage. While the Baggy Greens pack their bags after a defeat to Sri Lanka and the awesome Nissanka, the focus shifts to the subcontinental powerhouses making noise in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. We dissect India’s clinical run to the Super 8s, headlined by a bowling unit that looks absolutely unplayable on these Sri Lankan and Indian decks. Can anyone actually stop the Men in Blue on home soil, or is the pressure of the Narendra Modi Stadium final already looming too large? But the real story of the fans belongs to Nepal. We recap the ‘Rhinos’ and their incredible atmospheric presence, breaking down their key moments and the passion of a fanbase that has truly taken over the tournament. From Kathmandu to Colombo, the Nepal cricket rise is no longer a fairy tale—it’s a warning to the elite. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6313687373840384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ross and Max talk through the latest games, where India booked their place in the Super 8s with a comfortable win over Pakistan, while also starting a minor diplomatic incident over handshakes. Australia are in trouble after they were soundly beaten by Zimbabwe, meaning they likely need to beat Sri Lanka to stay in the competition. We also cover England overcoming Scotland, and the state of play in the 4 groups as we approach the Super 8s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a pulsating day of T20 Cricket World Cup action, by far the best viewing was between South Africa and Afghanistan, who put on a show with not one, but two super overs, and more twists and turns than twisty turny thing. Both teams looked to have won it throughout the day, but SA ultimately came away victorious. Elsewhere, Australia got their campaign up and running despite missing their skipper, and West Indies throttled England to take control of the group. And Pakistan v India is back on! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Cricket Podcast, we dive headfirst into the pure, unadulterated chaos of the opening six matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup. It has been a weekend of "Associate Uprising" and major-nation meltdowns, headlined by England narrowly avoiding one of the greatest humiliations in sporting history. We break down the "World Cup DRAMA" at the Wankhede, where Harry Brook and the "bleached boy wonder" Jacob Bethell (55) dragged England from the depths of 57-3 against Nepal. Despite a late surge from Lokesh Bam (39* off 15), Sam Curran held his nerve in a final-over masterclass to secure a 4-run win. Is this "cling-on" energy sustainable, or are England already cooked? The episode also covers: India vs USA: Suryakumar Yadav (84*) rescues the defending champions from a 46/4 collapse to see off a spirited American side by 29 runs. Pakistan’s Great Escape: Faheem Ashraf goes "bonkers" in the 19th over to deny the Netherlands a historic opening-day upset in Colombo. West Indies Power: Shimron Hetmyer's blitz and a Romario Shepherd hat-trick—part of a stunning five-wicket haul—blow away Scotland. New Zealand Clinical: Tim Seifert (65) and Glenn Phillips overcome the "Group of Death" landmines to chase down 182 against Afghanistan. We ask the big questions: Why are the big teams struggling to put away the smaller nations? Is the Nepal crowd the best thing to happen to cricket? And who is the early favorite for the Super 8s? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6313687373840384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we're diving into the absolute 'Group of Death' in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: Group D. With matches unfolding across India and Sri Lanka, all eyes are on whether the 'Afghan Atalan' can survive a brutal pool to reach the Super 8s. Can Afghanistan replicate their 2024 semi-final heroics? Standing in their way are two massive heavyweights: South Africa and New Zealand. While the Proteas and Blackcaps are perennial favourites, this group is widely considered the toughest on paper, leaving no room for a slow start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jack, Ross and Max turn their attention to Group C. England come into the tournament off the back of on-field prowess and off-field embarrassment, but will their batting firepower carry them through to a world cup final? West Indies have been pretty poor of late, but surely their T20 stars can pull it together at some point? Also in Group C, Nepal, Scotland and Italy lie in wait. 3 teams with very different stories: Nepal on the up and up, Scotland in last minute, and Italy here for the very first time. Can any of them spring a surprise? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it really "Easy Street" for the Aussies? In this episode, Jack, Ross, and Max dive into the chaotic lead-up to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, specifically dissecting the landmines waiting in Group B. After a bruising 3-0 series sweep at the hands of Pakistan, Australia arrive in Sri Lanka looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. With Pat Cummins officially ruled out due to a back injury and Josh Hazlewood set to miss the opening phase, Mitchell Marsh’s side is suddenly leaning heavily on fresh faces like Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett. Can Adam Zampa and a spin-heavy attack—including bolters Cooper Connolly and Matt Kuhnemann—carry the load on Colombo’s turning tracks?. We also size up the competition. Co-hosts Sri Lanka are licking their lips at the prospect of an upset on home soil, while Sikandar Raza’s Zimbabwe and a battle-hardened Ireland side are more than capable of crashing the Super 8 party. We ask the big questions: Is the aggressive "ultra-batting" mindset sustainable without their senior bowling core? And which of the "smaller" nations is most likely to provide the tournament's first massive "boilover"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this finally the moment Team India cements their legacy as the undisputed greatest T20 side in history? With the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup kicking off this week, we’re diving deep into Group A to see if Suryakumar Yadav and his squad are ready to defend their crown on home soil. In this episode, the boys break down India’s "ultra-attacking" squad selection. We discuss the shock exclusion of Shubman Gill, the explosive potential of an Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson opening pair, and whether Jasprit Bumrah can carry a bowling attack featuring the mystery spin of Varun Chakaravarthy. But it’s not all smooth sailing—we tackle the big questions around Surya’s recent dip in form and whether the middle order can survive the pressure of a home World Cup. The drama doesn’t stop there. We provide a full Group A preview, analyzing the massive political fallout as Pakistan confirms a boycott of their high-stakes February 15 clash against India in Colombo. What does this mean for the tournament’s integrity and Pakistan’s path to the Super 8s? We also look at the "giant-killer" potential of the USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. Can Saurabh Netravalkar haunt the big guns again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ashes might be done and dusted, but our cricket chat is just heating up. In this week's jam-packed episode, Jack, Max, and Ross revisit their infamously "dodgy" pre-series Ashes predictions. We're talking bold shouts, massive flops, and a good dose of self-deprecation as we review just how wrong (or maybe, just maybe, slightly right?) we were about the world's greatest Test rivalry. Did Bazball fizzle out Down Under? We dig into the stats and the real story behind Australia's dominant 4-1 victory. Expect sharp analysis, a bit of banter, and some brutal honesty about England's performance and the systemic issues plaguing the ECB. But wait, there's more! The glorious chaos of white ball cricket is back with a bang. We spin through all the latest from the shortest formats, covering the big hits, controversial dismissals, and tactical masterstrokes. Get your essential dose of cricket analysis and entertainment, blending serious chat with the sort of unfiltered opinion you won't find anywhere else. Tune in, subscribe, and join the conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices