The Top Order Cricket Podcast

In this episode of the show, the team are all back in the same room to discuss the IPL 2024 final, which saw a dominant performance from the Kolkata Knight Riders that reflected their dominant season.

We discuss Mitchell Starc’s magic delivery to Abhishek Sharma, and how his best performances of the season came in the biggest games. There’s praise for Venkatesh Iyer and the young bowling pair of Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana, plus special mention for Sunil Narine’s outstanding campaign.

We also discuss Sunrisers Hyderabad and what they need to improve to go one step further next year, as well as some general thoughts about the length of the tournament, the impact player rule and global fan engagement with such a big window carved out for the IPL. .

This episode ends our IPL coverage, but the T20 action doesn’t stop - we’ll back in your feed in a couple of days with a full preview of the ICC T20 World Cup, which starts on 2 June. 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

1:05 KKR win IPL 2024

2:30 KKR's dominant bowling attack

3:53 Mitchell Starc's peach and how he stepped up

5:15 Complete team effort from KKR

9:30 Sunrisers season - where did they come up short?

11:45 Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head

17:10 Gautam Gambhir's impact and potential India coach?

23:50 Impact player rule

30:13 Is the length of the window too long?

31:30 How can the IPL improve global fan engagement and buy in?

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In this episode of the show, Binksy and Stu look back at the final week of the IPL 2024 regular season before previewing the upcoming knockout fixtures.

Recorded on 20 May, we talk about a week that saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru storm into the playoffs, Sunrisers Hyderabad snatch second place, Kolkata Knight Riders watch some rain fall, Rajasthan Royals extend their losing streak and missed opportunities for Lucknow Super Giants and the Chennai Super Kings.

We discuss the epic match between RCB and CSK, which essentially became a quarterfinal thanks to LSG's slip up earlier in the week, and then take a closer look at all four playoff teams as we move to the business end of the season.

We might be back again later in the week with more news and views if there's an incredible game we can't wait to talk about, but if not we'll be in your feed again about this time next week to wrap up the final and also look ahead to the T20 World Cup. 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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 RCB beat CSK to roar into the playoffs

5:20 Rachin Ravindra's contribution

7:45 Virat Kohli's fantastic season

10:50 RCB's all-round game

14:50 Rajasthan's losing streak - can they turn it around?

21:15 Rajasthan's middle order struggles

24:05 KKR fully deserve their number-one spot

29:20 Potential for KKR v SRH to be a run-fest

31:30 Do the Sunrisers chances rest solely on whether Head and Sharma fire?

36.50 Predictions

40:30 Final general thoughts

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In this episode of the show, Binksy and Stu look back at another week that was in IPL 2024.

Recorded on 13 May, we rank all 10 teams into 3 tiers, as we unpack the key themes emerging from this tournament as a whole as during the lead-in to the playoffs.

We'll be back again later in the week with more news and views, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

4:00 KKR - Are they in a tier of their own now?

8:50 SRH - Will Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma's approach carry through to the T20 World Cup

12:40 RR - How much will momentum matter in the knockout games?

22:10 RCB - Five wins in a row

25:10 CSK - Are they good? Or not?

31:55 DC - A long shot now

32:40 LSG - Still a chance, but a huge run-rate hit against SRH

36:00 GT - Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan's partnership - are hundreds even special anymore?

39:45 MI - Should Team India worry about the form of Hardik and Rohit?

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In this episode of the show, Baldy, Binksy and Stu look back at another week that was in IPL 2024.

Recorded on 6 May, we review all 10 teams, handing out the power rankings along the way, but with a much bigger focus on the top half of the table this week.

We'll be back again later in the week with more news and views, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

1:45 KKR - Varun Chakravarthy's improvement is rounding out KKR's bowling attack

8:55 KKR - Has Sunil Narine's batting success changed T20 cricket?

13:20 RR - A loss this week against SRH, but still plenty of positives

17:40 SRH - Sunrisers at their best are serious contenders

24:55 LSG - Right in the playoff picture, but still a tier below the top 3

29:50 CSK - Injuries mounting up

35:10 DC - Net run-rate is an issue

39:15 RCB - Mohammed Siraj is back! And what's Cameron Green's best role?

46:30 PBKS - An impressive week for Rahul Chahar

49:50 GT - What else is there left to say?!

51:40 MI - Batting woes this week, and where has Nuwan Thushara been?

57:25 Players leaving the IPL for international cricket

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In this episode of the show, Binksy and Raj review the past two days of IPL 2024 action - Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings - as well as discussing the India and England provisional T20 World Cup squads that were named this week.

We'll be back again early next week with more news and views in the next instalment of the power rankings, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

1:35 Mumbai v LSG

8:25 CSK v Punjab

16:15 T20 World Cup squads - India

20:20 T20 World Cup squads - England

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In this episode of the show, Raj, Binksy and Stu look back at another week that was in IPL 2024.

Recorded on 30 April, we review all 10 teams, handing out the power rankings along the way.

We'll be back again later in the week with more news and views, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

1.40 RR - The Royals march on, thanks to contributions all throughout the squad

7:05 KKR - Can Varun Chakravarthy's strong performance kickstart his season?

13:35 CSK - Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the way

22:05 LSG - Right in the playoff picture, but why are we struggling to believe in them?

31:20 SRH - Are they too reliant on their openers?

36:25 DC - A side hitting form, but is it too late?

42:45 RCB - Finally a good week!

49:25 PK - Bairstow, Shashank and Prabhsimran power Punjab in an epic chase

56:30 GT - A difficult week for Gujarat, and for Mohit Sharma

59:50 MI - Bowling is still a mess, and what's going on with Hardik Pandya?

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In this episode of the show, Stu and Raj review the past three days of IPL 2024 action - Rajasthan vs Mumbai, CSK v LSG and the most recent game between the Gujarat Titans and the Delhi Capitals = which saw 3 hundreds, a couple of thrillers and some results that could be hugely impactful come playoff time. 

Recorded on 25 April, we discuss hundreds from Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Marcus Stoinis, plus the power hitting from the likes of Nehal Wadhera, Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant in particular, who has been oh so impressive since returning from serious injury.

There are also shout outs for Sandeep Sharma and Shivam Dube, the regular 'Get MS Dhoni up the order' conversation and questions about CSK and Mumbai's title credentials - and how far the game has swung in favour of the batter in the death overs. Plus much more!

We'll be back again early next week with more news and views in the next instalment of the power rankings, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

0:30 Delhi Capitals v Gujarat Titans - How far have the death overs swung in favour of the batters?

3:10 Rishabh Pant - What a comeback it has been from serious injury!

8:00 Jake Fraser McGurk

9:55 Worries for the Gujarat Titans?

13:35 Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians - Sandeep Sharma takes 5

17:50 Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliant century

19:40 Mumbai Indians - tough loss, but nice to see Nehal Wadhera

22:00 Mumbai's bowling is a problem

25:15 Chennai Super Kings v Lucknow Super Giants - Huge back-to-back wins for LSG

26:15 Ruturaj Gaikwad's century lifts CSK over 200

28:30 Get MS Dhoni up the order!

29:30 Matt Henry contributing for LSG

31:20 Marcus Stoinis's match-winning performance

35:30 LSG's finishing on point

37:00 Where does this leave LSG and CSK going forward?

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NOTE: The introduction of this episode was cut off from our recording, so the show jumps straight into team number one to start this podcast and there's odd sound glitch.

In this episode of the show, Baldy, Binksy and Stu look back at another week that was in IPL 2024.

Recorded on 22 April, we review all 10 teams, handing out the power rankings along the way.

We'll be back again later in the week with more news and views, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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 RR - Jos Buttler's outstanding hundred

7:40 SRH - A powerful week for the Sunrisers

15:30 KKR - Sunil Narine and Andre Russell matchwinners

20:10 Waist-high controversy?

23:50 CSK - Are they true contenders?

30:35 LSG - KL Rahul's captain's knock

37:25 MI - Big string of games coming up

41:45 GT - Will their net run rate prove costly?

46:00 DC - Jake Fraser-McGurk making an impact

52:50 PK - Ashutosh Sharma the bright spot

57:55 RCB - Complete shambles

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In this episode of the show, Binksy and Baldy review the past three days of IPL 2024 action - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals and the Gujarat Titans v Delhi Capitals.

Recorded on 18 April, we discuss the record-breaking runfest at the Chinnaswamy, which saw a Travis Head century, plus excellent innings and giant sixes from Heinrich Klaasen, Dinesh Karthik and many others.

There's also praise for Jos Buttler's remarkable effort for Rajasthan, as they chased down KKR's 223-6 off the final delivery, meaning Sunil Narine's hundred was in a losing cause. The trend of praising wicketkeepers continues with Dinesh Kathik also mentioned in despatches for his effort in a losing cause against the Sunrisers.

Some sides are making a run (we're looking at you Sunrisers and the resurgent Delhi Capitals) whereas the Gujarat Titans look to be in a big hole. Are they done for the season, or is there life yet?

We'll be back again early next week with more news and views in the next instalment of the power rankings, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

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In this episode of the show, Baldy, Binksy, Raj and Stu look back at another week that was in IPL 2024.

Recorded on 15 April, we review all 10 teams, awarding the turquoise cap and handing out the power rankings along the way.

We'll be back again later in the week with more news and views, but 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 a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars 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

0:35 RR - Are they over-complicating things?

8:45 KKR - Full speed ahead

15:20 CSK - MS Dhoni sixes and a statement week

24:50 SRH - Bowlers getting into a rhythm

30:50 GT - Are they about to go on a winning streak?

37:50 LSG - Is Quinton de Kock having fun?

44:00 MI - Jasprit Bumrah is awesome but the other bowlers are struggling

51:45 DC - Are they becoming a dangerous side? Kuldeep Yadav & Rishabh Pant pushing for India spots

56:25 PK - A lack of matchwinners hurting them

61:50 RCB - Bowling attack at rock bottom

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