Sledging Room

We are halfway through the IPL 2024 season. While the playoffs race is heating up, the focus is also on the T20 World Cup squad selection, which is set to be done before May 1. Yes, many young names have performed wonderfully well, but will the selectors make bold calls and reward them? Should an aggressive and in-form batter like Abhishek Sharma, who has been one of the pillars of SRH’s batting brutality, be picked for the T20 World Cup, starting June 1? Then, there is Riyan Parag, who has revived his IPL career with the Rajasthan side. Should India look at grooming young pacers like Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav for the World Cup? Is that a risk worth taking? Handing debuts to youngsters in an ICC event puts undue pressure on them. Isn’t it? At the same time, it’s worth mentioning that India, under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, won the T20 World Cup in 2007 with fresh faces. There are some other important questions, too. Will Ravindra Jadeja, who is struggling for form with both ball and bat, find a place in the 15? Isn’t Axar Patel a better option? What about opening the innings with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma? Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant? KL Rahul in? Shivam Dube as spin-hitter? In this episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Alan John and Kingshuk Kusari discuss the potential T20 World Cup picks. Tune in! Produced and Sound Mix By: Kapil Dev Singh

The Impact Player rule has helped unearth gems like Ashutosh Sharma, who is making waves in the IPL 2024 season. The 25-year-old from Madhya Pradesh and Shashank Singh have been the usual suspects for PBKS in an otherwise floundering batting line-up. But, several cricketers have raised concerns about the Impact Player rule. Yes, record-breaking scores of 270 and 280 add much flair to the viewing experience. But it's removing the balance between bat and ball as teams get an extra specialist batter. More importantly, all-rounders, especially Indian all-rounders, are not getting enough opportunities. Rohit Sharma, speaking on his appearance in the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, rued that the likes of Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar haven't gotten enough opportunities to roll their arm over. Also, in his inimitable style, Rohit Sharma rubbished rumours about the T20 World Cup team selection, opening the door to many more discussions about it. In a special episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Kumar Keshav of AajTak Radio joins Akshay Ramesh and Saurabh Kumar. Tune In! Produced & Sound Mix By: Sachin Dwivedi

What's it with Rajasthan Royals and their strong starts? Their fans start getting nervous when they win a couple of matches on the trot. We have seen the Royals slipping from comfortable positions in the past. Are they a victim of their own genius? Yes, they returned to winning ways by beating Punjab in Mullanpur. But why send Tanush Kotian to open the innings? Kotian, an off-spinner who bats at No. 8 and No. 9 for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, did not bowl at all. Who is responsible for making such bold calls? Well, Sanju Samson and Kumar Sangakkara need to keep it simple if they are to go one step further and wait for the title. On the other hand, there is going to be more pressure and chatter around Hardik Pandya after MI lost to CSK in the much-anticipated El Clasico. Was Sunil Gavaskar right in going after Hardik Pandya for bowling 3 loose balls to MS Dhoni in that last over? Is there an issue with Hardik's fitness, considering the manner in which he has struggled to bowl? Is Hardik Pandya an automatic choice for the T20 World Cup? Are there different yardsticks for selection for different players? Are opposition teams scared of Shivam Dube now? He is no longer a spin-hitter and he showed in the El Clasico that he is capable of taking down fast bowlers too. Should he be part of the T20 World Cup squad? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Kingshuk Kusari discuss the exciting El Clasico week and more. Tune In! Produced & Sound Mix By: Kapil Dev Singh  

After the RCB women's side won the WPL 2024, there was hope and expectation that the men's side would do better and finally win the season this time. However, RCB being RCB have started the tournament on a horrific note with five losses and one win in the first six matches of IPL 2024. In fact, MI handed the Bengaluru side a thumping seven-wicket hammering at Wankhede and now RCB are languishing in the 9th position. RCB were so bad that after the loss, captain Faf du Plessis conceded that his team was struggling because their bowling group did not have "as many weapons" as the other teams. Du Plessis said RCB's batters need to be adept at scoring more runs to even "have a chance" while their bowling group needs to find new ways to be effective. Unless a miraculous turn of events occurs, it's safe to say that RCB's chances of winning their maiden IPL title are next to none this season. With their dismal performance, the dream of ending RCB's 16-year-long wait, led by their iconic star Virat Kohli, seems destined to be deferred for another year. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was simply sensational against RCB. Bumrah's spell was so special that it made even Virat Kohli look ordinary at Wankhede. Bumrah picked a five-wicket haul and then his post-match comments were an absolute gem. Even Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav hit form with Hardik Pandya realising his potential as a finisher against RCB. Surya hitting form ahead of the T20 World Cup is welcome news for all Indian fans as the Rohit Sharma-led side needs their best T20I batter in top gear for the ICC tournament.  In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Saurabh Kumar, Kingshuk Kusari and Alan John discuss what's wrong with RCB.Tune In!Produced and Mixed By: Sachin Dwivedi

Virat Kohli hit another T20 hundred, his 8th IPL century but RCB lost yet again. Kohli anchored RCB's innings with a brilliant 113 off 72 balls, while the rest of the team could only muster 59 off 48 balls. Despite receiving 11 extra runs from RR, RCB's total never posed a threat as RR comfortably chased it down with 5 deliveries and 6 wickets to spare. Despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal early, RR's Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson capitalized on the favorable batting conditions, with Buttler scoring an unbeaten century off 58 balls and Samson contributing a quickfire 69 off 41 balls.Questions arose about RCB's batting strategy despite Kohli's century on Saturday. Concerns were raised about the pace of his innings, with some suggesting it could hinder the team's performance. Speculation also emerged about Kohli's suitability as an opener for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Was Kohli's slow hundred responsible for RCB's loss against RR? Well, the numbers don't lie. While it's tempting to blame Kohli for his 'slowest' IPL hundred, the bigger issue lies in the lack of support from a seemingly dysfunctional RCB team.With two weeks of IPL gone, we look it into who are the automatic choices to play the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Rinku Singh and Ravindra Jadeja are all but in. Will Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant make the squad as the two wicketkeepers? In the latest episode of Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss why it's wrong to blame Kohli.Produced and Mixed By: Sachin Dwivedi

It’s 2024. RCB won the Women’s Premier League title and it was expected to inspire the men in the IPL. Two weeks into the IPL 2024 season, RCB look like they would end up with the wooden spoon, again! Virat Kohli is waging a lone battle, trying to shoulder the burden of scoring runs in an otherwise faltering batting line-up. Let’s not talk too much in detail about RCB’s bowling attack. It’s dysfunctional. Did they lose it at the auction table? What should RCB do to find success in the IPL? Owners have changed, captains have changed, coaches have changed, but their retain luck doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Should they rename themselves as RCB? On the other hand, Gautam Gambhir is back at his ‘home’ and it seems he has a Midas touch. The Knight Riders are playing an absolutely exciting brand of cricket, bringing back memories of the all-conquering squad under the former opener. Sunil Narine is shining again as an opener. Andre Russell is looking like a world-class all-rounder again. All signs pointing toward their 3rd title triumph? Akshay Ramesh, Alan John and Debodinna Chakraborty stir up some uneasy conversations in the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast. Tune in! Produced and Sound Mix By- Kapil Dev Singh

Vintage MS Dhoni is back? Did the Super King underestimate himself? After not getting an opportunity to bat at home in Chennai's first two IPL 2024 matches, Dhoni lit up Visakhapatnam with a sensational knock of 36 from just 17 balls. Chennai lost to Delhi, but CSK fans celebrated the final six from Dhoni as the decibel levels hit the roof in Vizag. Just a reminder, the Sledging Room podcast will have two episodes per week during the duration of the IPL. Dhoni's 3 sixes were enough paisa-vasool for the Sea of Yellow in Vizag as they cared very little about the result of the match. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant turned back the clock, hitting his first fifty on his return to the IPL after recovering from multiple injuries he suffered in a life-threatening car crash. In an emotional post-match chat, Rishabh Pant said he waited 1-and-half-years to see a one-handed six fly off his bat. Not just him, but the entire country waited that long to see the batting hero back on the field and doing what he does best. Moving away from the IPL, there is turmoil in Pakistan cricket. Shaheen Afridi was sacked as Pakistan captain and the PCB, which has seen quite a few administration changes in the last few months, reinstated Babar Azam as their ODI and T20I captain. All is not well as Shaheen is reportedly unhappy with the change. Can turmoil bring the best out of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup? Tune in! Produced and Mixed By: Sachin Dwivedi

The IPL 2024 season could not have asked for a better start as the first-round matches lived up to the hype. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has found success and love as new CSK captain, Hardik Pandya's stint as MI captain has had an interesting start. In a never-seen-before moment in franchise cricket, Hardik Pandya was booed by fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Yes, the feeling of Ahmedabad fans was understandable. The boos were completely okay as the emotion of the fans was a reminder of the intense rivalries and loyalties that is commonplace in football. But, it started to get uglier as Hardik was subjected to casteist chants, as seen in viral videos on social media. The TV visuals of Hardik Pandya commanding Rohit Sharma on the field also did not help as there was more hate for the new skipper on social media. While there were a couple of glaring decision-making errors, Hardik Pandya must get more time to settle into a big role at a big franchise. More than anything, he needs the support of his teammates and the Mumbai Indians fans. Yes, the IPL is back and so is the drama around it! Tune in! Produced and Mixed By: Kapil Dev Singh

Ee Sala Cup Namdhu! The long wait has ended. Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans can finally rejoice as Smriti Mandhana and her team have won a trophy for RCB as their Women's Premier League campaign ended on a triumphant note. More than RCB's victory, the packed crowds at the Women's Premier League matches are another message to the naysayers of women's cricket. And we are just days away from the start of the biggest T20 carnival of the year, the Indian Premier League. Can RCB complete a double? At the same time, all eyes will be on Mumbai Indians and whether newly-appointed captain Hardik Pandya can keep the house in order. Moving north, Lucknow Super Giants have a new coach in Justin Langer. It will be interesting to see the camaraderie and the working relationship between one of the most successful Australian coaches and KL Rahul as LSG look to end their playoffs curse. What are your picks for the top 4 of IPL 2024? Who do you think will bag the wooden spoon? In the latest episode of Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari preview the new season. Tune in! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

It's that time of the year when fan wars become a norm. Yes, it's time for another season of the Indian Premier League. Before previewing and analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the ten teams, let's give you a brief on the major talking points in the lead-up to IPL 2024. Oh, and all Bazball sympathisers, it's time to concede defeat. India hammered England 4-1 to kill the hype around England's much-talked-about approach to Test cricket. Also, it's time to credit the BCCI for trying to put Test cricket where it belongs with their new 'Test cricket incentive scheme'. More on it is on www.indiatoday.in/sports. /> The most significant talking point is Rishabh Pant's return. The Delhi Capitals star has been declared fit to keep wickets in the new IPL season by the BCCI medical team. Should the Capitals hand over the responsibility of captaincy to Pant or allow him to ease back into competitive cricket? Regardless of how he performs on his return, Pant has to be lauded for his courage and grit to recover as quickly as he has from a life-threatening car crash. What about Chennai Super Kings? Will this be MS Dhoni's last season? If so, who will the 5-time champions look to as their future leader? Do they have someone in their squad to take over from Dhoni, or will they bring someone to the mega auction in 2025? Is Rohit Sharma an option? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Kingshuk Kusari share a glimpse of what will happen in this space in the coming weeks. Tune in! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

We are officially in the IPL month. And SunRisers Hyderabad have sounded the bugle with a change in captaincy.  Australia's World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins takes over SRH from Aiden Markram, who did not have the greatest of seasons last year with the team. With the change in captaincy, SRH hope to get over their terrible memories from the last season where they finished with the wooden spoon. What made SRH make this captaincy move? Cummins' IPL pay cheque of Rs 20.50 crore or his purple patch as a captain for the Australian Men's Cricket team? Before Cummins' captaincy saga took over the cricketing fraternity, the real buzz was about BCCI axing Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from central contract. Was the board right in its decision to reprimand the Indian star duo or the players were hard done by? Also, we discuss the journey of Jonny Bairstow and R Ashwin, who will play their 100th Test in Dharamsala (if weather permits) and ask tough questions of the England cricket team. Can England finally win another Test match and make it 2-3 in Dharamsala? Who will make way for Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian line-up? Tune in! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

It's time to concede defeat. Yes, those who backed England to strike again in the Test series were proved wrong. The final nail in England's coffin was hit by a young brigade led by Rohit Sharma, which found new heroes in the absence of their established mainstays. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep and Kuldeep Yadav have also stepped up and delivered big for the team, under the able guidance of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. India have found new heroes in every Test to bounce back from the 1-0 deficit and seal an unbeatable 3-1 lead with a match left in Dharamsala. Yes, we have spoken quite a lot about Bazball. The English media has hyped England's bravado-filled approach so much so that India's incredible effort to bounce back from an early setback has flown under the radar. In the latest episode of Sledging Room podcast, we discuss why it's time to stop Marvelling Bazball and ask tough questions of the England cricket team. Is it time for England to address the elephant in the room? Is Rohit Sharma an under-appreciated Test captain? Like a doting father, Rohit has been protective of the young stars in the team. At the same time, the captain sent out a warning for those who don't have the hunger to play Test cricket. Join Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Alan Jose John as they return with another episode of the Sledging Room podcast, this time making a complete U-turn. Tune In! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

Well, is it time to write Bazball's obituary? It seems so as Ben Stokes's led touring side was hammered by 434 runs, their biggest margin of defeat since World War II, in Rajkot. It was a proper statement from Rohit Sharma and his men as England failed to walk the talk.Despite the defeat, Ben Stokes was bullish that England will not change their approach. He labeled criticism, some of them constructive, as 'outside noise'. Head coach Brendon McCullum echoed the thoughts of Stokes, saying that it's up to them whether or not to listen to what people are saying about their approach. Both Stokes and McCullum said England are capable of bouncing back and beating India 3-2.Are they?Cricket is a game of uncertainty. No team, especially in Test cricket, can be ruled out. However, England are looking to throw punches in the dark. More importantly, some of the comments from England players have done very little to deflect the criticism that is coming their way. Ben Duckett was slammed saying that double-centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal was inspired by Bazball in the second innings in Rajkot, and rightly so. After saying England is capable of even chasing 600, they folded for 122 in Rajkot.Can England walk the talk, at least in Rajkot? They can, if they learn from Malayalam superstar Mammootty, says one of his biggest fans, Alan Jose John.Alan is joined by Akshay Ramesh and Saurabh Kumar as they discuss England's horror show in Rajkot in the latest episode of Sledging Room Podcast.Tune in!Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

Yes, the cricket world is waiting for the India vs England series to resume. After two intense Tests in Hyderabad and Vizag, there was a lull before the storm as the teams enjoyed a week’s break. But, plenty happened. Even as the buzz has been around the Rajkot Test, a BCCI diktat to players dominated the narrative on social media. Reports have suggested that BCCI was not happy with players skipping Ranji Trophy duties to prepare for IPL 2024. Why should the players prioritise Ranji Trophy? Yes, the domestic red-ball tournament is part of Indian cricket’s rich tradition, but have the selectors rewarded Ranji Trophy performances while picking squads for the senior national teams? Go ask, Jalaj Saxena. Also, where is the continuity in terms of selection? Avesh Khan, who was part of the first two Tests, has not been picked for the remainder of the series. Why no place for Cheteshwar Pujara? Yes, India’s envious domestic structure is something that needs to be preserved. But at what cost? Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss why it’s not entirely right to blame players in the latest episode of the Sledging Room. We answer this in the Sledging Room! Tune in! Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

Yes, Jasprit Bumrah bowled one of the greatest spells of reverse swing bowling by an Indian fast bowler in Vizag. But, what about R Ashwin? 9 wickets in 2 Tests while Tom Hartley, who made his debut in Hyderabad, has 5 more than the Indian off-spinner.Is it just a lean patch for R Ashwin or is that he needs rank-turners to pick up heaps of wickets? Well, we are not saying this. On several occasions, former spinners have attributed Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's incredible numbers to the nature of pitches in India. Hyderabad and Vizag were not rank-turners, but traditional Indian pitches that offer more turn as the Test match progresses.Okay, let us ask you this. Can this Indian side be beaten again? From the Vizag Test showing, were you convinced that India can go on and win the series? Or do England have it in them to land another punch?We answer this in the Sledging Room!Tune in!Produced by Sachin Dwivedi

Okay, let’s start with an apology. An apology to England, their captain Ben Stokes, their head coach ‘Baz’ McCullum and their much-talked-about approach, Bazball. Bazball won’t work in Pakistan, they said. Bazball won’t work against Australia in the Ashes, they said.  Bazball has no chance against India in India, they said.  Stokes’s all-conquering England side have proved naysayers wrong, and have done so in some style with the flair and fearlessness that McCullum was known for in his playing days. Questions have to be asked of India, especially captain Rohit Sharma. Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan have launched into his captaincy as a lack of proactive approach in Hyderabad cost India. Rohit was happy to sit back and wait for things to happen, while Ben Stokes made things happen on the field. Was Rahul Dravid not overseeing things when Ollie Pope was reverse-sweeping the Indian spinners? Why did experienced R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja fail in the second innings? Were they spooked by England’s approach? Is this England’s best chance to push for a Test series win in India? Do you think Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma are capable enough to challenge the intimidating approach from England? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss the Hyderabad heist and the Gabba thriller. Tune In! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Barring the circus in Pakistan cricket, nothing has offfered more entertainment to world cricket like the Bazball in the last two years. The term was coined by an English journalist and it is derived from England men's Test team head coach Brendon McCullum's nickname 'Baz'. Does the legendary batter approve of it? Well, no! Brendon McCullum hates generalising England's new approach and the coinage of the term 'Bazball'. He believes there is more to their approach than just scoring at close to 6 runs per over. The former New Zealand captain, who took over as England's Test coach in 2022, has revolutionised the way England have played Test cricket. Yes, England have achieved away wins, notably in Pakistan and New Zealand. But, are they capable of breaching the fortress in India? Will India prepare rank-turners? Will such pitches help the future of Test cricket? Have India not learned their lessons from the past? Should there be more balance between bat and ball? Also, let's address the big question. Will Virat Kohli's absence hurt India? It definitely will, but the hosts have players who can step up. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer now have an opportunity to play together. For Bazball, the India series might prove to be make-or-break! Buckle up, the next 2 months are going to be an exciting ride. Listen in! Produced and Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Rohit Sharma’s return to T20I cricket has been underwhelming, but it's quite clear that the team management and selectors have zeroed in on the senior campaigner to lead India at the T20 World Cup. There's no doubting Sharma's class and a couple of good knocks in the IPL might be enough for him to book his ticket to the USA and the West Indies.On the other hand, Virat Kohli, like he always does, has stirred up debates with his first outing in T20I cricket in 14 months. The former captain, who is known for being an accumulator and an anchor, came out all guns firing in Indore against Afghanistan. Virat Kohli slog-sweep a spinner. Yes, you read that right.But, is that the Virat that India needs? Does this version of the star batter suit the team's needs? Would it not be wise for India to have the 'anchor' on what is expected to be slow pitches in the West Indies in the T20 World Cup?And have India found a proper back-up option for Hardik Pandya? Is it only a back-up or a replacement option? Shivam Dube is busy requesting MS Dhoni to give him a couple of overs for CSK in IPL 2024. Will 'Mahi Bhai' listen? India need Dube to sharpen his bowling skills ahead of the World Cup?What about Pakistan? The change in captaincy and the change in team management hasn't brought the desired results. Was it a witch hunt against Babar during the ODI World Cup? Is Shaheen Afridi the right man to lead Pakistan in the T20 World Cup?Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Alan John, a Virat Kohli fanboy, discuss the learnings and lessons from the T20I series against Afghanistan. Tune In!Produced and Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The Indian cricket landscape buzzed with fervent discussions as the BCCI made a significant move by reinstating two of its most experienced players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, into the T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. This decision marked a pivotal moment, especially considering both players had not participated in the shortest format at the international level since their last game in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal against England.Fans and pundits alike pointed out that Kohli's impressive T20I record, boasting the highest run tally in T20I history with 4,008 runs at an average of 52.73, could be a game-changer for the team. Similarly, Rohit Sharma's experience as a former captain and his ability to score big were seen as assets that could bolster the Indian batting lineup.But, the move was not without its detractors. Critics argued that the inclusion of Kohli and Sharma might come at the expense of emerging talents like Shubman Gill, who had an outstanding IPL season in 2023, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. There were concerns that this could potentially stifle the growth of these young players, who had shown promise and seemed ready to take on the mantle in the T20 format.The BCCI's choice also sparked debates about whether it was prudent to rely on the veterans' past glories instead of embracing the aggressive, modern style of T20 cricket that the younger players had been cultivating.Also, England are coming to India for a 5-Test series and the chatter about pitches has come to the spotlight at the right time. The English team cribbed too much about pitches last time they were in India in 2021. After the sensational win on an “unsatisfactory” pitch in Cape Town, the Indian Test team might want to play on rank-turners in the upcoming series, starting January 25.Listen in!

South Africa named a 14-man Test squad for their 2-Test series in January-February with 7 uncapped players. Uncapped opening batter Neil Brand was named as the captain of the side which has a collective experience of 50 Tests. Notably, Brand might become only the second uncapped player to lead a Test team after New Zealand's Lee Germon in 1995 in the last 50 years. South Africa began their cycle of World Test Championship 2023-25 with a dominant win over India in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. The Proteas are taking on India with a full-strength team, but they have opted not to send some of their star players to New Zealand. The series in New Zealand is clashing with the second season of South Africa's premier domestic T20 league - SA20. A significant number of players are now choosing the lucrative opportunities offered by these leagues over the traditional path of representing their national teams under central contracts. This shift is indicative of a broader transformation in the cricketing landscape, where the fast-paced, entertainment-rich format of T20 leagues is increasingly favored. One of the most striking examples of this trend is New Zealand's Trent Boult, a formidable pace bowler known for his wicket-taking prowess across formats. Boult made headlines when he turned down a central contract from New Zealand Cricket just months before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The West Indies, too, has seen a wave of its players opting for the T20 league route. A study by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) revealed that over 49% of players would consider declining national contracts to focus on T20 leagues, highlighting the significant impact these leagues have on the sport. Akshay Ramesh, Rounaq Sehrawat and Kingshuk Kusari discuss what is the future of the longest format of the game in the first episode of the New Year.  Tune in!