Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
Cameraperson: Sanjoy Deb and Gautam Sharma
The duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Scott Styris are back for another season of The Dug Out ahead of the twelfth season of Indian Premier League (IPL). The Dug Out is a special show on Star Sports Select that gives fans a more complete experience by adding an edge to the commentary.
Both Sangakkara and Styris caught up with The Quint to discuss stars to watch out for this IPL season, what has been ailing Royal Challengers Bangalore and their captain Virat Kohli, and who’s more likely to lift the cup.
With the IPL kicking off, exciting times are ahead for both Indian and overseas stars, especially with the World Cup slated to start right after the IPL in May. For Sangakkara, the Indian stars, particularly the senior lot, will be exciting to watch in this edition of the IPL.
“I like to watch the older guards as well. Shikhar Dhawan has gone to Delhi to the top of the order. MS Dhoni, how good he was last year. You have Rohit Sharma to look forward to, Virat Kohli. You know just incredible players. Suresh Raina, he has been in and out of the main side for a bit of time.”Kumar Sangakkara
Apart from the old gaurds, Sangakkara is also keen to watch Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar of Delhi Capitals, who might just make the cut for the England-bound World Cup squad.
On the other hand, Scott Styris feels that a lot of the Indian internationals were seen in the last month or two due to the tour of Australia and New Zealand. So, the IPL would be the best time to gauge the progress made by the young Indian cricketers.
He credited the IPL for making sure that India have a strong bunch of reserve players, which has allowed India’s recent domination in world cricket.
Styris had a word of praise for Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Shubman Gill, who he believes to be the best of the current lot.
“And last year it was about the young players. Think of the Shivam Mavi, who did a great job, Prasidh for KKR, both of those two. But it is the batsman in particular and Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, and then of course one who I have on top of my list, who I think is going to be a terrific player –Shubman Gill. I am looking forward to seeing whether those players have taken a step from. All of them were impressive last year, can they go again.”Scott Styris
Both Sangakkara and Styris had a word of advice for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) going into this year’s tournament to revive their fortune in the IPL. RCB are yet to win a title in the IPL.
“The reason they haven’t won it is because they still have been searching for what their best XI is. There is still lot of learning to be going on for RCB and their fortunes in the tournament rests on how quickly they can settle those.”Scott Styris
Meanwhile, Sangakkara believes a lot depends on skipper Virat Kohli as far as RCB’s IPL campaign is concerned. Kohli needs to find the right balance for the side in order to lift the trophy, something which hasn’t been the case for the past seasons. Kohli has led RCB in eight seasons till now but without much success.
“I just think emotions bring out the best in Virat as an individual, but he needs to make a quick assessment as the outward expression of those emotions bode well and have a positive effect on the players he captains, especially in pressure situations and crunch games. So, it is a case of finding that balance.”Kumar Sangakkara
As far as IPL favourites for this season are concerned, Sangakkara was confused with three sides and didn’t have clear favourites. Apart from the usual suspects, for the former Sri Lankan cricketer, this might be the season for the revived and renewed Delhi side, who have extra ammunition in their arsenal for this season.
“Mumbai has a great side, they start slow. Chennai is always very strong. Delhi Capitals are looking like a proper side after a very long time. So, everyone got a chance.”Kumar Sangakkara
But Styris was very clear as far his favourites were concerned.
“Sunrisers! I like the way they have been going for the past couple of years. I think they have bought well in the recent auction. They have some contingencies and back-ups ready to go when the players leave for the World Cup. And they seem to have found their method.”Scott Styris
For Kiwi all-rounder, Scott Styris, the IPL has always been a special time of the year and since the inception of the Dug Out, it has become extra special.
“I am really excited. I look forward to this tournament every year anyway. The fact that The Dugout started last season was a lot of fun. The slightly different twist that we put on commentary, a little less on ball-by-ball but more predictive and looking into the future and trying to take the fan into the mind of the batsman and the bowler. It is really exciting.”Scott Styris
Meanwhile, for Kumar Sangakkara the whole concept of The Dug Out is an extraordinary one, especially for the fans.
“I think it is a great concept and the delivery has been good last year and as IPL evolves, the game evolves, the dugout will as well. So, it’s a great format, a great connect for the fans as well. And it is great to be back with Scotty and the rest of The Dug Out,” concluded Sangakkara
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)