In this episode of the show, Baldy, Jamie and Stu look back at the opening game of IPL 2025, before diving into team by team previews of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.

Recorded on Sunday 23 March, we start by discussing game 1 of the tournament, which saw RCB record an impressive victory against the defending champions KKR. New recruit Josh Hazlewood was excellent, as well as Krunal Pandya, as RCB restricted Kolkata from 100-1 to 174-8. Then it was Virat Kohli, Phil Salt and Rajit Patidar who took charge as the away side cruised to a comfortable victory in the end. Was that the perfect formula for RCB? Will they be able to repeat it enough times to make the playoffs in 2025?

For the Delhi Capitals, there were questions around how much Harry Brook's decision to withdraw has left them short on options, plus a chat about the potential impact of spin duo Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

Gujarat on the other hand have a big-name Englishman in the squad in the form of Jos Buttler, but do he and Shubman Gill have enough batting support to help out their well-balanced bowling attack?

Punjab have completely overhauled their roster, with Ricky Ponting bringing in a host of his fellow countrymen to join Arshdeep, Prabhsimran and Shashank Singh, plus a new captain in Shreyas Iyer. Will the overseas matchwinners bring enough consistency to lead this team to the knockout stages? And will the young Indian talent like Priyansh Arya, Suryansh Shedge and Nehal Wadhera perform well enough to give Punjab a wide range of options for their bowling attack?

For Lucknow's not-just-regular giants, their strategy seems to have been to stack the batting with overseas talent and rely on a quality local group of seamers to assist Ravi Bishnoi with the ball. But have injuries to Mayank Yadav and co. already crushed their title dreams?

To round out the show, the boys do their best to predict some playoff teams and give their pick for who will be lifting the trophy at the end of May.

We'll be back in your feed at least a couple of times a week for the duration of IPL 2025. So if you're enjoying our content then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

0:00 Intro

1:15 RCB's win against KKR - a template for future success?

13:45 DC: Has Harry Brook's withdraw set them back?

23:15 GT: Do they have enough batting quality?

33:05 PBKS: A talented side, but what will it look like in reality?

44:30 LSG: Have injuries already curtailed their chances?

50:20 Prediction time!

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In this episode of the show, Binksy, Jamie, Baldy and Stu kick off the IPL 2025 coverage by previewing the fortunes of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.

We start with a Baldy explainer, and a quick chat about the impact of the mega auction, before moving straight into the team previews. We discuss what excites us about our chosen teams, whether that's particular players or team storylines, and whether they'll be in title contention come the business end of the tournament.

First up is KKR, in which Binksy asks why they aren't favourites with the betting agencies, highlights the importance of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine again, as well as the talented Indian bowling core featuring the likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora. There's also a word on Ajinkya Rahane taking over as captain.

Next is Sunrisers Hyderabad, in which Stu gets excited about songs, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, the power-packed batting lineup and bowling reinforcements, before asking whether this team can go one better in 2025.

For the Rajasthan Royals, the absence of Jos Buttler is the question on our minds. Without him and others, they look weaker and the betting agencies have written them off. But can Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal and co. make those odds look silly when the winners medals are handed out at the end of May?

The Mumbai Indians are up fourth, and Baldy proceeds with caution when discussing their favouritism with the bookmakers. Will the star-studded batting lineup featuring Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and friends deliver in 2025? Or will the absence of Jasprit Bumrah - for how long? - be too difficult to overcome with the ball in hand?

To round out part one of our preview, Jamie takes a look at CSK, highlighting the plethora of options their allrounder-packed squad provides them. What role will Rachin Ravindra play? Will MS Dhoni continue his six-hitting exploits? And when the team does settle on a best XI, will it be strong enough to take them to the final?

We'll be back in your feed again at the end of the week with the second episode of our IPL 2025 Preview. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

0:00 Intro

4:20 Impact of mega-auction on overseas fans

7:00 Kolkata Knight Riders

14:05 Sunrisers Hyderabad

21:30 Rajasthan Royals

28:50 Mumbai Indians

37:30 Chennai Super Kings

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This week on the show, Binksy, Jamie, Baldy and Stu felt like bouncing around a few topics in the aftermath of the Champions Trophy before the news cycle is dominated by the IPL. There's a bit of ODI format chat, then a quick check-in on the teams we support - Australia, England and New Zealand.

The episode starts with a discussion about the Champions Trophy format and ODI cricket in general. Did the tournament make a convincing case that there's still life left in 50-over cricket? Or are ODIs too formulaic? If the number of bilateral ODIs are declining, is that a problem? Or does it make these tournaments more exciting? Was the jeopardy of knockout cricket something the World Cup should consider? Or is a longer tournament still the best way to find out who the best team in the world is?

We round out the show by touching base in Australia to wonder whether any of the fringe players did enough to force their way into best XIs when Cummins, Hazlewood and co. return? Then in England to ponder on the white-ball captaincy after Jos Buttler decided to step down. And we finish by looking at New Zealand's home series against Pakistan, which saw the return of some familiar names in Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Jimmy Neesham and Ish Sodhi, but it was Kyle Jamieson who stole the show in the first T20 as the Black Caps powered to an emphatic win.

We'll be back in your feed again later with the first instalment of our IPL 2025 Preview. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

0:00 Intro

1:30 Was the Champions Trophy fun? Is ODI cricket still in trouble?

11:50 Did Australia learn anything about their fringe players in the Champions Trophy?

15:25 Jos Buttler steps aside as white-ball captain - will he be replaced by Harry Brook or AI?

20:00 Black Caps v Pakistan - old faces return and Kyle Jamieson looks fantastic

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Binksy, Raj and Stu look back at the tournament final between New Zealand and India.

It's a tough morning for Black Caps fans as another ICC final ends in defeat, but for India it was congratulations all around as we saw a continuation of an astonishing run of form for their white-ball side - which has seen them as runners-up in 2023 and winners in 2024 and now 2025.

We discuss the key contributions and moments - from Matt Henry's injury-enforced replacement to KL Rahul's calmness, Rohit Sharma's leadership, the quality (yet again) of this four-pronged Indian spin attack, Rachin Ravindra's tournament, the Black Caps' ability to stay in the fight even when it seemed like they were slightly behind for the majority of the game and much more.

We'll be back in your feed next week - possibly to review the tournament as a whole, or maybe even look ahead to the IPL and the Black Caps white-ball series against Pakistan. If you've enjoyed listening and/or watching throughout this tournament, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Binksy and Stu look back at the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, then glance forward to a Dubai final where the Black Caps will face the might of India.

It was just about the perfect performance for New Zealand, with Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson both scoring hundreds to set up a platform from which Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell could put the icing on the cake.

On the other hand, right when it looked like South Africa might do the same, Mitchell Santner ripped the heart out of the Proteas middle order, picking up Bavuma, Van der Dussen and Klaasen within a short space of time. David Miller scored a consolation hundred, but the Black Caps spinners continued to squeeze and booked themselves a date with India in the final.

To round out the show, we discussed a couple of the key things to watch out for in that big dance, which sees the best two sides in the tournament line up in what we hope will be a classic final.

We'll be back in your feed to review that final, and if you've enjoyed listening and/or watching throughout this tournament, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Binksy and Baldy reflect on a command performance by India as they cruise past Australia on their way to the ICC Champions Trophy final.

Mohammed Shami set the early tone for India, and despite Australia trying to match India's strength by also selecting four spinners, the slow bowlers dominated Australia's batting efforts. Crucial chances cost Australia, but did they get the selection wrong? Baldy dissects some possible alternatives. India's batters come in for some praise from both Baldy and Binksy. What can stop India from picking up the silverware?

Looking ahead to NZ and South Africa, Mitchell Santner's captaincy comes in for some praise, and the lads discuss where the second semi-final could be won or lost. Will Binksy and Baldy agree on the prediction for the semi-final?

We'll be back in your feed tomorrow to recap the second semi-final. If you've enjoyed listening and/or watching, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Raj and Stu look back at the final group match of the tournament between India and New Zealand, then glance forward to the semi-finals.

The Black Caps made a brilliant start in Dubai, with a quality opening burst from the seamers and some outstanding catching headlined by Glenn Phillips' screamer to dismiss Virat Kohli, but ultimately it was India's spinners who had the final say. We discussed the approach of both sides, how it might translate to the semi-finals and give praise to the efforts of Varun Chakravarthy among India's four-pronged spin attack and Kane Williamson's fighting knock.

To round out the show, we look ahead to India's semi-final against Australia and New Zealand's game against South Africa. Will Varun play? Can NZ take wickets through the middle? Will Rohit and Shubman take the game away from Australia in the first 10 overs? How scared are we about Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller?!

We'll be back in your feed to review the semi-finals and again for the final. If you've enjoyed listening and/or watching, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Jamie. Raj and Baldy dissect the disappointment of England's performance against South Africa. South Africa are on a roll with bat and ball, but do they have a selection headache for the semi? For England, their exit with a whimper raises questions for the future of white-ball Baz-ball.

The hits keep on coming in this episode as Baldy lays into the Australian bowling attack for conceding 37 extras in 50 overs and ponders a crucial change to the lineup for the semis. Have Australia over-achieved by making it out of the group stage?

In the final feel-good segment, the boys preview India and New Zealand. Who will have the best spin attack for the middle overs, and will each side hold back their trump tactics for a possible meeting in the final? Jamie gives us great insight into the psychology behind preparation for big matches.

We'll be back in your feed tomorrow and again with regular updates throughout the tournament. If you've enjoyed listening and/or watching, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Binksy and Jamie discuss another ICC tournament catastrophe for England as they crash out in the group stages. They discuss England’s batting order and bowling plans and the stand out performers for Afghanistan. They also take a look forward to the closing fixtures of the group stages and early thoughts on the knockout stage.

We'll be back in your feed tomorrow and again with regular updates throughout the tournament. If you've enjoyed listening and/or watching, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy daily review, Binksy, Raj and Stu review the Group A clash between New Zealand and Bangladesh, and look ahead to Australia v South Africa.

On paper things looked fairly comfortable for the Black Caps, thanks in part to Michael Bracewell's 4-26, which helped restrict Bangladesh to 236-9. And despite a few nervy moments, a Rachin Ravindra hundred and a fifty from the calming presence of Tom Latham eased New Zealand to the top of the table and into the semi-finals.

We'll be back in your feed tomorrow to review Australia v South Africa. If you've enjoyed listening and/or watching, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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