The Harsha Bhogle interview - "The world is tuning in to the PCL"

 "Interviewer: There’s so much happening in the cricketing world. What are you most excited about right now?

Harsha Bholge: Right now? It is kind of obvious isn’t it? Every cricket fan worth his salt is looking forward to the PCL. Yes, the Ashes is still not done and it’s a real shame and to be honest very amateurish scheduling by the English and Australian boards to not foresee this clash. The last game of Ashes versus the opening game of PCL, what do you think will pull more eyeballs - granted it is only a warm up game, but still, it’s the PCL.

Interviewer: So you’ll be watching the PCL over Ashes

Harsha Bhogle: Tell you what, there are only 22 players and 3 umpires who are obligated to participate in the Ashes game. The rest of the world is going to tune in to the PCL

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the teams. What’s your take?

Harsha Bhogle: Very strong teams on paper.
[Harsha Bhogle burst into a fit of laughter at this point and took a minute to compose himself]
As I was saying, very different teams. Lots of exciting players. And we know when they step on the field passions run high. Entertainment is guaranteed.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the specific teams

Harsha Bhogle: Let’s not. The auction is over, the teams are what they are. I’d rather look forward to the excitement than dwell on mistakes of the past

Interviewer: So mistakes were made?

Harsha Bhogle: Can we edit this part out, please?

Interviewer: Sure. Good to go? Ok. So Harsha, let’s talk about the specific teams. Vikings. What do you make of them? An interesting lineup there. Lost a lot of their match winners in the auction, but still a very solid team

Harsha Bhogle: Yes. An exciting team. Exciting captain. We haven’t seen a lot of him last season, but he is a class act even if his form is questionable. But I’d back him to hit his stride in the first half of the season. There is some firepower in that batting lineup. But they are missing a bit of the class and consistency which Infernos have, but once in a blue moon they can put up a formidable total. But I am a bit worried about the bowling. They may have to resort to containment strategies, because there are no real wicket takers you can count on.

Interviewer: What about the Infernos?

Harsha Bhogle: Very few times in the sport's history has a stronger team been put together. You think back to the glory days of West Indies and the subsequent Australian teams, but it is hard to find a comparison with this Infernos team. The batting line is the stuff nightmares are made of for any bowling attack. Add the ruthless efficiency of the bowling line up - look at the options HK has at his disposal. It is not going to be easy beating or even going toe to toe with this team

Interviewer: And the captains?

Harsha Bhogle: That’s the bit that is unfair about these lineups. On the one side you have the almost Dhoni-esque presence of HK. And mind you, Dhoni never had as strong a team at his disposal as HK does. And on the other hand, you have the young Ashish saddled with a sub-optimal team. Even if he pulls off a Virat to fire up the team, I think HK has him more than covered.

Interviewer: So you are predicting an easy win for the Infernos this season?

Harsha Bhogle: It would be unreasonable not to. But there is more to enjoy here than the ultimate scoreline. I’d say just sit back and enjoy the skill on display and the entertainment that will come our way.

Interviewer: Players to watch for?

Harsha Bhogle: I’d go with the usual suspects. I mean the auction price tags don’t lie. But keep an eye out for Chaitanya. I believe Vikings missed a trick or two at the auction there. It was very clear HK was ready for a bidding war for Chaitanya. Vikings were never going to get him, but at the very least, they could have made Infernos use up more of their purse to get him.

Interviewer: And what do you make of the rumours of a rift in the Vikings' ranks?

Harsha Bhogle: I don’t want to fuel any rumours. I hope it is just a PR blunder that half the team did not show up for the jersey launch and there is nothing more to it. But yeah, it is no secret that Manoj has seen himself as the man to lead the team and his differences with Ashish are well known. If he indeed has been able to put together some of the dissenters and is planning a coup, then I foresee some difficult times for the Vikings. That is the last thing they need."