Couch Talk

Former ICC Chief Executive and current Chief Executive of Cricket South Africa Mr. Haroon Lorgat talks about his career in cricket administration, the challenge of transformation in South Africa, his rocky relationship with the BCCI, The Woolf Review he initiated towards the end of his time at ICC, Test Championship Proposal, ICC Revamp etc.

Former WI opener Daren Ganga talks about his stop-start career, being captain of Trinidad and West Indies, the highest successful chase of 418 vs Australia he was part of, and also the Test vs India on a tough Sabina Park wicket in Jamaica, amongst other things.

Former South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince talks about choosing to play cricket while growing up in the Apartheid era, the quota system, his debut, the controversial circumstances under which he was made to open the innings on his comeback amongst other things.

Former Indian captain and coach Ajit Wadekar talks about the landmark tours to England and West Indies in 1971, handling 4 great spinners, taking over as captain from Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, slip catching, coaching India in the 1990’s, etc.

Former India opener Madhav Apte talks about his short international career despite averaging close to 50, tour to West Indies in 1952-53, playing alongside legends like Vinoo Mankad and Vijay Hazare, learning the art of opening batting from Vijay Merchant, his estimation of Subhash Gupte, his early impressions of Sachin Tendulkar and Mumbai dominance in Ranji Trophy.

Former Indian opener S Ramesh talks about his debut in 1999 vs Pakistan where he faced perhaps the most complete bowling attack ever, his method to facing fast bowlers, his lack of footwork, disappointment over being dropped even with runs behind him, and his memories of the epic 2001 India-Australia series.

Zimbabwean cricket commentator and journalist Dean du Plessis, who also happens to be visually impaired talks about his introduction to cricket and his love for commentary, and the mechanics of visualizing the cricket action in his mind’s eye and his hopes of being a regular on-air commentator amongst other things.

Former Pakistani fast bowler and current UAE head coach Aaqib Javed talks about his playing career, playing alongside Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, the art of reverse swing, match fixing in the 1990’s Pakistani team, his opinion on Mohammed Amir’s expected return to international cricket and UAE’s prospects in the world cup.

Former Bangladesh captain and current national selector Habibul Bashar talks about the early inspiration in his career, the travails of leading Bangladesh in the first 7 years of its Test status, Bangladesh’s first Test win, the fall out from World Cup 2007, and the current team led by Mushfiqur Rahim.

Former Sri Lankan batsman Asanka Gurusinha talks about his batting role models, his Test career, the landmark 1996 World Cup victory including the semifinal vs India and the final vs. Australia, Aravinda de Silva’s batting, his relationship with Arjuna Ranatunga amongst other things.