Has IPL given India edge over Pakistan?: The Cricket Pod

In this episode, sports writer/broadcaster Chetan Narula laments the lopsided rivalry between Asia's two heavyweights

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This week on The Cricket Pod, writer/broadcaster Chetan Narula points to the reasons why India have once again beaten arch-rivals Pakistan at the Cricket World Cup.

Plenty of things went wrong for Pakistan during their 89-run loss at Old Trafford on Sunday, such as team selection and tactics (should they not have opted to bat first after winning the toss?).

But there are bigger, structural challenges that Pakistan cricket faces which have had a direct impact on their performances on the field, especially against a side of India's quality.

The onset of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition has catapulted Virat Kohli's team to a whole new level in every respect, from fitness to mental toughness to the quality of cricket being played, even as the Pakistan Super League struggles to catch up.

So, is there hope yet for Pakistan cricket? Listen in to find out.

Also in this episode:

  • Paul Radley and Chitrabhanu Kadalayil discuss the best of the rest: what is ailing Afghanistan cricket; are we beginning to see the top four teams pull away; and are there long-term solutions to the rain problem?
  • Kadalayil provides his take on whether a well-behaved Kohli has indeed turned over a new leaf.

India's Vijay Shankar, second left, celebrates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq, lbw, during the Cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Sunday, June 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
India cricket has grown leaps and bounds in recent years while the game in Pakistan has stagnated. Dave Thompson / AP Photo