Then there were four! DK joins us to preview the T20 World Cup semi-finals

21:11And both you fossil sets, that's one of the main reasons why India did so well in Champions Trophy. By that same accord, they should have done something in this World Cup. But clearly it works for one team. It doesn't. So there's a genuine lack of skill there. And I backed Pakistan to say, you know, they'll fight a lot more, but just losing most of the games and in the end, almost losing to Sri Lanka was mad. And then you hear this thing that they've been docked a penalty. That's taking it to a different level altogether.

21:37Dinesh Karthik:Is it becoming, I mean, the cliche of all cliches is T20 cricket is a lottery, is unpredictable. But actually, if you look at the sides, three of the four semifinalists were three of the four semifinalists last time. England have been to the last five semifinals in this format. South Africa's record in T20 cricket, World Cup T20 cricket, is incredible. And the runs of South Africa, England, India, bilateral and World Cup cricket has been superb recently. So it is not as much of a lottery as everyone makes out. Those three teams in particular have been the gun team. Now, only India, you know, India have gone on to win it, and England have gone on to win it before that.

22:26Dinesh Karthik:But it's not as much of a lottery as you think. I agree. I don't think it's a lottery. At the start of the World Cup, I think most of us would have had these three teams, unless you're an answer to say, but most of us would have had these three teams. India, South Africa, New Zealand. I mean, they just look like a solid team. I was a little sceptical about Australia, not for anything, it was because of the injuries. That is why I was like, oh, will they have a tough time? and I think it was the batting that eventually let them down. Bowling did play a part. But it feels like these three teams are much better than the others as of today.

22:56And both all their bilateral records are quite good.

22:58Dinesh Karthik:Going back to the, sorry, I'll go off piste here a little bit, but going back to the Pakistan issue and Barbarazam, do you think the anchor role has gone from T20 cricket? Joe Rue, Barbarazam, that type of cricketer, is it just 20 overs and you go hard? All these four sides, 20 overs and you go hard. Or will that rank anchor role ever come back? Even though they are world-class players we're talking about, but they've just gone, the game's moved on. On good pitches, no anchor role is required. On pitches which are like in Colombo, you almost need to empower one of your batters and have them get into a mindset of playing longer, not go slam bang.

23:40For example, if I was the England coach, I would empower somebody like either one of the top three, Putler, Brook and Salt and have a conversation regarding if one of you all get going, try and play in such a way where you are taking risks. But if it is not required, play in a strong way to get to a certain point. That would be the anchor. I wouldn't at the start of a game, put somebody like a Joe Root in as an anchor in the current P20, even if the pitches were what it is, because the push and pull of the game would also mean at a lot of the times, a boundary is required. And for that boundary, you need to take a certain amount of risk, or you should have that as part of your white ball game.

24:17So I look at it that way where Anker is the word that I completely refrain from using, but I would empower one of the current batters to almost use that as one of the skills in game.

24:30Nasser Hussain:For South Africa, looking ahead to that game tomorrow, I mean, they've been very powerful. Aidan Markram has moved up to the top of the order. I mean, that's the other trend, isn't it? Which England have followed now belatedly, but giving your best players maximum opportunity to impact the game. And he's striking at 175, averaging 50. I think he's the third highest run scorer. And they, to me, look a very good all-round side, apart from the lack of a wrist spinner. If you put a wrist spinner in there, you'd probably say it's a perfect template of a T20 side. I believe South Africa is a team to beat everybody, saying India.

25:08But I feel they're playing much more, much more united cricket than India. India have relied on one or two people here and there. But South Africa have played it as a team. Makram gets runs. Rickleton has done well. Quinton has had a decent one. Whereas through the middle, Brevis, Stubbs, everybody have performed their role. In fact, I felt starting of the tournament before they reached Super 8s, it was Kahiso Rabada who wasn't bowling as he normally does. But he's found some form as well. Nungu Engidi has been phenomenal. And I agree, if they had a good wrist spinner, it would have been pretty much the perfect team for a t20 game and i feel south africa is a team to beat and come the big game uh is when you can put pressure on them so you know i i back south africa to have a fantastic semis and final how important is the toss in that game with it being in kolkata extremely important that is one thing that can go against you you can almost say the moment the toss is done it becomes a 70 30 game to the chase a bit of due there

26:05Nasser Hussain:Which is problematic, isn't it? Because in big knockout games, you'd probably want to ideally bat first and put the pressure on the opposition. But Kolkata forces you to chase, you're saying? absolutely it does force you in a big way because there is a proper effect of dew setting and even they use the anti-dew spray i don't think the effect is as much as it is in probably other grounds because of the amount of dew and there's a definite drop in temperature if you go to the city you'll realize and it plays an effect and there's uh there is a distinct advantage for batting second there is no shying away from that and if we turn our attention to the to the game in Mumbai then, is that less pronounced?

26:45Nasser Hussain:I mean, we've done a few games in Mumbai in this tournament so far and the dew has not been particularly noticeable. I mean, if it's been there, it's been, you know, hard to discern really. But I guess it's always a little bit of an imponderable. You just don't know. I look up that word in dictionary, but yes, it is hard playing in Mumbai right now. I mean, not playing in Calcutta right now compared to Mumbai. It's a more even game in Mumbai. The toss is not so... Yeah, comparatively. You can say it's a 55-45 on the team that wins the toss. It's not as 70-30 for sure. But there is still an effective duo.

27:29It's better to actually chase in Mumbai. There is no shying away from that. I won't be surprised if both teams winning the toss will chase down a total.

27:36Dinesh Karthik:And if England bat, they will bat at some stage. Who are you giving the new ball to? Because Jasprit Bumrah, the best multi-phase bowler in the world at the moment, sometimes comes in later. And you've got Butler and Salt out of nick and out of runs. Are you keeping them down by going with Jasprit Bumrah? Or are you introducing him later? I'll introduce him later. I think the bigger wicket right now is Harry Brook. And I would keep Bumrah for that. I have Chakravarti for Harry Brook. Yeah, that is a good... I mean, I feel Bumrah and Chakravati bowling in tandem, which pretty much could be the case, would be great match-ups to someone like Harry Brook because you need to knock him over early.

28:16He is someone who can change the game on its head. Butler and Salt, I think Hardik and Arsteep are still very good match-ups. Salt has had his spare share of struggles against Arsteep, but he's overcome it in the recent past, but that'll be a good match-up. And Hardik is someone who is known to be a wicket-taker, even though interestingly in the power play in this World Cup so far, it just picked up the one wicket. So even though he's got the ball to swing, which it will in Mumbai. He hasn't picked up too many wickets in the power play. It's been more at the back end that he's picked up wickets.

28:43But I'll still start with Ardik and Arsteep Sik.

28:47Dinesh Karthik:And heaven forbid, heaven forbid, Joss Butler picks up his phone and texts Dinesh Kartik tonight and say, D.K., you are the guru on all things T20 cricket at the moment. Help me. What advice would you give Joss Butler? Wow. Wow. it's not that straight an answer is it when you're a coach it's not about always talking about skill it's about understanding the person it's so easy he looks like someone who takes his game a bit too personally looking at his face but i could be completely wrong here i haven't had too many interactions with joss you know people might think that i spent a lot of time in england but i've had a lot of interactions a lot of players just not being one of them i've never played with him never played too much against him either obviously the odd ipl game here and there uh he's a very soft offspoken, lovely, affable guy from the little that I've spoken, but not had a conversation of depth.

29:42It almost feels like I'm shying away, but I need to know the person to give any sort of advice. But the one thing that I would say is the game, he is so good and he needs to trust that deep down. Sometimes I feel he's playing the situation and the reputation and everything else when he is someone who can, who is so threatening as an opponent. I've seen games where I walked into Rajasthan Royals when he was playing and there was one wicket needed. Joss Butler at the start makes the difference. Just couldn't get him because he has the perfect template where he has three, four balls that he sees and then plays an unorthodox shot a lot of the times to get himself going.

30:21And then he just keeps constantly coming at you till the time he plays, which is so hard to deal with as a skipper. And when I look at that Joss Butler and I look at the Joss Butler who is now searching for some runs, there is a distinct difference in body language more than anything else. And that is what I would like to address first up front. What is weighing you down? Is it weighing you down if it is? That's the first question I ask.

30:45Nasser Hussain:And when I've watched India, obviously they've got an exceptionally strong batting lineup, although it's not quite clicked yet for various reasons. Probably, you know, Abhishek and the top order being key there to that clicking. But I've watched their fielding And they look a bit vulnerable in the field They've dropped three catches the other night They dropped three catches in the game against Netherlands That I did at Ahmedabad A is that a concern And B the bowling I feel that obviously Bomber Is outstanding and it's a good bowling attack But if one of them has a bad day Then the spare bowler Is not quite so obvious Are those two areas Of concern for you ahead of the big game or no?

31:30First up, fielding is a reflection of the mindset and belief of your team a lot of the times. Now, if you have one bad game, that's always okay. It happens to the best of teams, best of fielding units happen. But if it's happened one too many times in the same tournament, then there is something that you need to address. And the beauty is fielding is such a thing. It is not like, oh, if you go and have a fantastic fielding session the night before the game, you're going to field well. No, it's an attitude. Fielding is more often than not a reflection of the mindset of the current team of the wanting to be there for your friend and hence putting in the extra yards because individually each person knows at this point where I stand it could be I'm standing a deep square leg I'm so scared I don't even want the ball to come to me then you need to have the courage to go and tell the fielding coach you know what I want you to give me catches or fielding in such a way that when I'm standing a deep square leg I want to feel better so it's a very individualized thing that is number one and fielding is always done as a team when you address it it is so hard because it is so physically exhausting that you can't do it beyond a point as a team because there is a fast bowler there, there is a spinner, there's people needing different needs.

32:35So the more individualized it is, the better chances that you go. So it comes from within because the most selfless act on a cricket field is fielding. Whatever you do is one of your friends bowling out there, you're doing it for them. So it needs to come from within. And if that is not there, then you know, okay, they don't care as much for the others. It's an attitude thing. That is number one. Now the second thing, walking into the World Cup, there were three players who India couldn't do without in terms of dropping a form. At the top, it would be Pumrah. For me, second was Varun Chakravarti.

33:05He was the number one ranked bowler in the world walking into this World Cup, if I'm right. And obviously, the impact that Abhishek Sharma has had in the last two years has been phenomenal. And increasingly, two out of the three have not had a great World Cup. And that is why you feel this Indian team at this point before the semifinals are touched vulnerable.

33:21Dinesh Karthik:Ath, what about England? It's a repeat of the last two semifinals where England won by 10 wickets in Adelaide and then Guyana lost comfortably. Which England do you see? You've not been overly convinced by this England side in the group stages. What do you make of them going into such a massive game? Can they need to up their game? Do you think they can?

33:43Nasser Hussain:I think they've been getting better and they'll have taken confidence from the wins and the tight win against New Zealand and the fact that they've been winning when, you know, a big part of their game. Everybody before this tournament said if England are going to win it, then the big part of their game is the Salt-Butler partnership. You know, I think they came into this tournament with Salt and Butler ranked two and three in the world in T20 cricket behind Abishek. And of course, neither of those have really got going. So the fact that he's been in, what were you laughing at? That's why Nasser put him as the highest man, get him for the top.

34:19Dinesh Karthik:He wasn't random, was he? Yeah. You've got to use that sense and get a feel for what a guy, we number one, put him as the highest man, get him for the top. Continue at this. I had Boomer as a leading wicket taker as well. Wonderful.

34:35Nasser Hussain:Yeah, I mean, I think they'll obtain confidence from the fact that they're winning without, you know, that main bit of their team functioning. But, you know, I don't think they've played at their game. And your question that you asked is what I've been asking myself, really. Is this tournament going to equate to 2022, where come the absolute crunch time, they just got better and better? Because if you remember, they started that World Cup in Australia by losing to Ireland, didn't they? In Melbourne, I think it was. And then, obviously, they wiped the floor with India by 10 wickets in Adelaide and won the final.

35:10Nasser Hussain:But two years ago, they kind of staggered through, really, not beating anybody of any note particularly, and then got heavily beaten in Guyana by India. So I've been asking myself that same question, and I don't know the answer. I mean, we'll find out on Thursday. But I do think, from what I've seen, India are beatable. I mean, they're an exceptional side, obviously. you know in bilaterals I think their win ratio was 85 percent or something running into this tournament and I thought that run chase under pressure the other night was exceptional so they're very tough side but I don't think they're unbeatable that you know the areas that I just touched on there with DK fielding bowling if you if you get after one or two of their main five you know they're lacking a spare option there and some of the batters have not yet found their best So I think they are beatable, but I do think England are going to have to be at their best to beat them.

36:07Nasser Hussain:I mean, it was quite unusual to hear Phil Salt say before the tournament began, you know, somebody's going to need a lot of luck to beat India. He basically said it's quite unusual to hear opposition players talk up an opposition team so highly as that. So, yeah, they're going to have to be at their best. But I do feel that India are not impregnable.

36:29Dinesh Karthik:and DK what about um someone that you know reasonably well in a role that you know very well in that finishing role um Will Jacks it's something that he hadn't done before he's got what four player of the match awards with bat and ball I mean that is a really good effort to come into a tournament and pull England out of troublesome situations on on those four occasions First up, I must admit, even though my ego is catching hold of me, that I really didn't believe Will Jax could do as good a job as he's done. I promise you. He's batted all his life opening. And I remember even when RCB, he batted at three, he felt a little out of place at the start.

37:14It wasn't easy. It's not easy in T20 cricket. It's a different feeling walking in, playing a fresh bowler with just two fielders outside. And when you walk in in the 8th throw, when everybody is out, it changes your game, your mindset. How do you take singles? How do you hit the boundary? Because your first boundary is with risk, brought with risk a lot of the time. So to actually conquer that is a big challenge. Now, when it comes to Will Jacks, what I'm amazed by is how well he is adapted to the role. Because through the middle, it's quite phenomenal to see how he's able to take singles to retage strike because he's been chasing 150, These are very tricky totals to chase.

37:48And then he's been launching at the back end. But what has really helped him is his mindset to accept that probably opening or three is not probably happening for me. I'm going to be slotted in at seven. I think he's had a wonderful last three months. I genuinely didn't think he'd do what he could do in ashes. Let's start there. Batting at number six and seven when others were playing it the way. He went almost old school, played long hours, fought it out. And that I was impressed by. His bowling is kind of what I came to expect. in the sense that, you know, it's not going to be that big a challenge for Australia.

38:18But it's so nice to see him adapt to number 6 and 7, which is a very specialist role. And he's done it very nicely so far. And he's played on some tricky pitches. He can only be even better on flatter pitches with Dew. And the fact that he's an offside player has actually helped him a lot. Because at death, the two go-to balls has seemed to be the slower bumper and the wide yorker. And the wide yorker falls into his arc beautifully because he's able to cream it over covers and they set it up and they set up a field for that but he still backs himself to hit it and then when they come in he's able to launch on the leg side because he almost knows the play a lot of players are stronger on leg side i found that line harder he's dealt with it because i think it's fallen into his skill set quite nicely

39:01Dinesh Karthik:how difficult did dk make it sound that finishes role i mean it's not impossible i mean jeez how difficult a role is that

39:16Nasser Hussain:predictions then I mean

39:22Dinesh Karthik:your predictions DK if I remember you called the test series in England perfectly as you've let everyone know since so what is the predictions here who's going to be in Ahmedabad for the final India South Africa like the last one

39:38Nasser Hussain:that will be my instinct as well a replay of two years ago and you even though you know I must say if New Zealand wins the toss it's going to be an extraordinary game I feel I must admit that I must say India and South Africa India purely they might South Africa on current form these two should ideally get there all conditions even I would put all my money on that but just this due is such a big factor that could make us look silly

40:06Dinesh Karthik:And can India win in Ahmedabad if they get there? It's slightly...

40:17Oh, my God. I'm amazed. Where are you right now in Kolkata? Be careful in case you're on the roster to Ahmedabad. I'd be very, very...

40:26Nasser Hussain:We are in Mumbai, actually. Oh, you're in Mumbai. Are you coming in tomorrow? I'm coming in tomorrow evening, yes. Great. And Ahmedabad will be a challenge. Let's get there. But first, let's let them finish England in Mumbai and deal with both you guys and then move on to Ahmedabad. It should be a great occasion. I'm so looking forward to it. I mean, I think this is a great stadium. It's my favourite ground in India, I think, Mumbai. And just because, although, I mean, the capacity is nowhere near the big one in Ahmedabad. But it feels a different atmosphere somehow because the stands are right up and on top of the players.

41:05Nasser Hussain:even you know for the Nepal games that we were here for there were 20-25 thousand and the atmosphere was amazing um so really looking forward to that on Thursday I just want to say one thing I know you guys have been chilling in Kolomov but in India there's a other part of the World Cup that happened and even in neutral games there was a proper crowd in a lot of the venues a credit to uh people who have turned up for those games like in Chennai in a media player it was very good I heard in Delhi a couple of days South Africa Zimbabwe a bit of a nothing match and And there was a good crowd there.

41:35So it's been fantastic that way, actually.

41:37Nasser Hussain:Absolutely. I mean, we had England play Scotland in Kolkata. We did that game. And there were 40 ,000 pre-sold there. And a crowd of more than 50 ,000 in the end for that game. So that's been a big part of it, really. Because there's nothing worse than turning up to a World Cup fixture with nobody in the ground. And it feels a little bit dead. But it won't be like that on Thursday. It's going to be absolutely rocking down the driveway there on the side.

42:05Dinesh Karthik:More importantly, are you playing paddle later? This is the biggest game.

42:12Nasser Hussain:I've never played, but I think our debut is on the paddle court later, me and you against our producer and our cameraman. And if we get beat by the producer and the cameraman, it's time to kind of hand in our notice, I think. bring your A game to the paddle court DK great to see you thanks for joining us it's been a pleasure and we look forward to catching up tomorrow see you for the big game DK cheers man you have a chill time there in Mumbai enjoy the sea view