

PCCI Podcast π
PCCI Podcast
This is the official pod for all cricket tragics. From the trauma of the 90s to the heights of the Noughties, if you are a cricket fan, this is the pod for you. Also, if you love the niche and the obscure discussions around cricket (color of TV graphics in the 90s, broadcast theme music), this is also the pod for you. This is as much the pod for a Noel David fan as it is for an ABD fan!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 8, 2020 β’ 1h 16min
Cricket broadcasting and more, with ESPNCricinfo's Raunak Kapoor
In this episode of the PCCI podcast, we have a special guest - Raunak Kapoor, of CricInfo MatchDay fame. Raunak discusses his rather fortuitous break as a radio show host at AIR-Mumbai during his law school days. He then moves on to discuss his Cricinfo association. Further, the conversation moves on to how the jingoism in cricket broadcasting is a market need in these polarized times. Along the way, we also discuss how modern commentary, and cricket broadcasts in general, often fails to keep pace with the changing face of the sport. All in all, a rich, revealing and free-wheeling conversation about everything cricket and broadcasting!

Jan 1, 2020 β’ 1h 40min
The PCCI Super Series, Cricket in Australia and cricketers who deserved better
In this episode of the PCCI podcast, we discuss our idea of an ideal year-end tournament, and how we want to see cricket going ahead. We move on to discussing why cricket in Australia always felt different, and our memories of the Aussie season growing up. In the final segment, we talk of Indian cricketers who we think deserved better. All this, and a bit of Mahatma Cote -- racism on steroids.

Dec 28, 2019 β’ 1h 57min
A corner of a not-so-foreign field - A conversation with Ahmer Naqvi
First Segment (0 - 37 mins)
In this episode of the PCCI-pod, the board members are joined by a special guest, @KarachiKhatmal Ahmer Naqvi, a cricket writer, pop culture commentator and a lot more. In a freewheeling chat, we discuss Ahmer's writing process and how his social identity shapes his writing style. We discuss the manner in which the relationship between the fan and the game evolves over time. We also discuss how being the experience of watching the sport differs upon professional association with the sport, as opposed to that of a far-away partisan fan.
Second Segment (37 mins to 1.5 hrs)
In the second segment, we discuss the sport being used as a platform to exhibit jingoism, and how it alters our relationship with the game. In the final bit of the discussion, we move on to discussing the evolving nature of sports broadcasting, and the democratization of cricket analysis through YouTube channels. In particular, we delve into the phenomenon of YT channels being run by former-Pakistani cricketers and TV anchors, of all kinds. The conversation then moves to the extremely partisan and uninformed garbage that gets sold to us as cricket commentary.
All in all, an episode where we look at South Asian society through the prism of cricket.

Dec 25, 2019 β’ 1h
Our Favorite ODIs - The Aravinda Special and the Yuvi-Kaif heist
In this episode of the PCCI pod, the board members discuss the second set of their favorite ODIs, from the cliched Natwest Final of 2002 to the Lankan renaissance of 1996. All this, with a hint of Mohsin vs Mohsin, on this episode of the pod.

Dec 25, 2019 β’ 1h 7min
Our favorite ODIs - A runfest at the Bullring and a thriller under fading light in Dhaka
In this episode of the PCCI podcast, we discuss our favorite ODI games growing up. From the early hazy memories of the India-Pak Dhaka final of 1998 to the miraculous run chase in the glorious summer of Jo'burg, this pod has it all. Listen in for all this, and a lot more, with a 90s twist.

Dec 10, 2019 β’ 54min
India's T20 woes -- Are we too conservative?
In this episode of the PCCI pod, we discuss something that isn't very mainstream. Talking about the current Indian setup's conservative approach to the T20 format (and LOI cricket in general), and how this averseness to risk-taking works against us in ICC events. Do Kohli and Sharma fit into the top 3? Does Shami deserve a look in? Have we ever found a replacement to Raina and Yuvraj? All this and more on this episode of the pod.

Dec 6, 2019 β’ 48min
Our favorite test match knocks - Gilchrist at Hobart, Dravid at Adelaide and KP's Oval clasic
Join our hosts Raj and Aditya along with guest host Nishant to talk about all things cricket but more so of the most memorable test innings (1996-2011) that they have witnessed and what they remember of them as well as how they look at them now.
Along the way, they discuss cricket graphics, TV coverage, commentary, Aakash Chopra, Deep Dasgupta, Doda Ganesh, Jimmy Adams, the unfulfilled potential of Mark Waugh and the over fulfilled potential of SK Bansal and a lot more of cricket things.
The innings discussed in this segment (Part 2 of 3) are:
Adam Gilchrist's maiden hundred against Pakistan at Hobart, 1999
Rahul Dravid's 233 at Adelaide in 2003
Kevin Pietersen's 158 at the Oval in 2005

Dec 6, 2019 β’ 56min
Our favorite test match innings - Dravid's lone effort, Azhar's mad artistry and a Lara classic
Pod of Control for Cricket in India - [PCCI]
Join our hosts Raj and Aditya along with guest host Nishant to talk about all things cricket but more so of the most memorable test innings (1996-2011) that they have witnessed and what they remember of them as well as how they look at them now.
Along the way, they discuss cricket graphics, TV coverage, commentary, Aakash Chopra, Deep Dasgupta, Doda Ganesh, Jimmy Adams, the unfullfilled potential of Mark Waugh and the over fulfilled potential of SK Bansal and a lot more of cricket things.
The innings discussed in this segment (Part 1 of 3) are:
Rahul Dravid 146 vs ENG at Oval
Azhar 116 vs SA at Cape Town
Brian Lara 153 vs Australia at Barbados

Dec 6, 2019 β’ 49min
Rants, Cricket Tweaks and Bad Commentary - Automated Umpires, Bilateral ODIs (lack of relevance) and a tweaked T20 game
In this episode of the pod, the PCCI board members discuss some of their biggest bugbears to do with cricket. If you are a fan of Sunny G's commentary (or even better, Rohan G's commentary), this pod is for you. In the second of two parts, we discuss potential changes to the way ODI cricket is played and our reasons for why ODIs must go back to the older format of multi-lateral ODI events. Also, our take on how No-balls calls must fully be automated, and the relevance of human empires in the modern game. In the final recommendation, we discuss whether T20s merit fewer resources to the batting side (9 a side?) for the balance of the game.
All this and more on this episode of the PCCI pod.

Dec 6, 2019 β’ 49min
Rants, Cricket Tweaks and Bad Commentary - T20 commentary, Kedar Jadhav, Tournament Format Changes
In this episode of the pod, the PCCI board members discuss some of their biggest bugbears to do with cricket. If you are a fan of Sunny G's commentary (or even better, Rohan G's commentary), this pod is for you. The three board members pitch the modifications they want to see in the game, going ahead. In this episode, the first of two parts, we discuss changes to tournament formats (domestic and international), T20 commentary and a minor yet radical change to bring balance to ODI cricket. Also, a generous sprinkling of some Kedar Jadhav rant.
Tune in, and time will surely pass by like a tracer bullet.


