IPL 2025: Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi the NEXT Sachin Tendulkar? | Sledging Room, S2 Ep 86
What were you doing at 14? Vaibhav Suryavanshi, at just 14, has become the toast of the cricketing world after smashing a 35-ball hundred — a knock far beyond his years as he pummelled 11 sixes, two of which travelled over 90 metres.Vaibhav became the youngest player in Twenty20 history to score a century when he dismantled some of the best bowlers in the business against Gujarat Titans. The audacity and power of his strokes left the cricket world in awe. But is it really possible for a 14-year-old to generate such immense power? We asked his coach, Manish Ojha, about the teenager’s journey from the dusty fields of Bihar to international stardom in the IPL. Ojha revealed that Vaibhav was clearing 90-metre sixes as an 11-year-old.While Vaibhav has captured the spotlight at an age when most are still dreaming of hitting a boundary in gully cricket, experts believe he must be nurtured with care to ensure his growth stays on track. In the latest episode of The Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari delve into the rise of the IPL’s latest phenomenon.Produced by Prateek LidhooSound mix by Rohan Bharti
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Mumbai Indians mean business, but what's wrong with Rishabh Pant in IPL 2025 | Sledging Room S2 Ep 85
Just a week ago, everyone had written off the Mumbai Indians. But with four straight wins and a squad clicking in perfect rhythm, they've roared back into the spotlight. The five-time champions aren't just winning—they're dominating, playing with the swagger and confidence of a team that knows exactly how to conquer titles. In contrast, Rishabh Pant - acquired for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore to lead Lucknow Super Giants - has looked a shadow of his once-destructive self. After nine matches this season, he has mustered just 106 runs, with 63 of those coming in a single knock against CSK. Pant has always thrived when brimming with confidence, but at LSG, he seems jaded and weighed down by expectations. His strike rate of 96.36 is alarmingly low for someone of his caliber. Part of the issue could be his constant shuffle in the batting order, never quite settling into one role. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja have retained their spots in the Grade A+ bracket of the BCCI central contracts despite stepping away from T20Is. We break down how the BCCI arrived at that decision. In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Saurabh Kumar, Kingshuk Kusari, and Alan Jose John dissect the central contracts, Pant's struggles, and Mumbai Indians' roaring comeback in IPL 2025. Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Rohan Bharti
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Worst Captain-Coach Combos of IPL 2025 | Sledging Room, S2, Ep 84
As IPL 2025 approaches its halfway stage, one trend is becoming increasingly clear: teams with strong captain-coach partnerships are thriving. Whether it’s Axar Patel and Hemang Badani, Ashish Nehra and Shubman Gill, or Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting — clear communication and mutual trust are driving success. We saw a similar impact last year with Gautam Gambhir’s return. This raises an important question: Is the IPL becoming more like football, where man-management takes centre stage? What exactly is the coach’s role — to offer technical input or to manage egos and personalities? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Rishabh Beniwal dive into the evolving role of coaches and dissect the worst captain-coach combos of the season. Tune in now! Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Suraj Singh
Two of the biggest icons of the IPL, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, are under scrutiny in the 2025 season. The Dhoni mania in Chennai has turned into a cringefest, while concerns over Rohit's form continue to grow. At 43, Dhoni remains sharp behind the stumps and still packs a punch with the bat. However, the idol-worship in Chennai has taken an uncomfortable turn, with some CSK fans even cheering for the dismissals of players batting ahead of him—sparking criticism from former cricketers. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is struggling to find form. Could Mumbai Indians be forced into a tough decision if his slump continues? Also, why are some teams unhappy with home curators this season? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Kingshuk Kusari break down these burning IPL 2025 topics. Tune in now! Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Suraj Singh
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RCB will win IPL 2025. Here's why! | Sledging Room, S2, Ep 82
Well, RCB are on top of the IPL points table. Yes, after the first round of matches, the men from Bengaluru are sitting pretty. They delivered a stellar performance against defending champions KKR in the IPL 2025 opener. Early signs are promising for the perennial underachievers. Could 18 finally be their lucky number? Meanwhile, CSK, DC, and SRH kicked off their campaigns with strong performances, but Rajasthan Royals have been dismal in their first two outings. They hardly resemble a side coached by Rahul Dravid. KKR, on the other hand, bounced back emphatically with a dominant win in Guwahati after their opening-day defeat to RCB. What’s with teams opting for secondary home venues? Does it truly work in their favour? And no discussion would be complete without sparing a thought for the bowlers. The IPL is becoming an all-out run-fest, leaving bowlers with nowhere to hide. What does the future hold for bowling in T20 cricket? In the latest episode of The Sledging Room, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Kingshuk Kusari break down the opening week of IPL 2025. Produced by Prateek Lidhoo Sound mix by Rohan Bharti
A weekly India Today podcast, Sledging Room is a sports show which will hold discussions related to sports, especially cricket. This is a podcast with a difference, a podcast where tempers will flare and participants, to put it mildly, are not always polite. For your weekly dose of sporting hostilities, this is your final destination. Sledging Room will dissect views and bring in new perspectives with a dash of irreverence.
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