Some cricketers we love at first sight; some, we take time to appreciate; others, we do not understand the fuss; and still others are quick to get under our skins. Often, we review our views over time - and often surprise ourselves by changing our opinions about cricketers.

Kapil Dev, Ishant Sharma, Ravi Shastri, Ian Chappell, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Steve Waugh - all formidable cricketers. All of whom we have changed our minds over at various stages. And all of whom we focus on in this episode - to understand the evolution of our fandom.

Talking Points:

What Kapil Dev chasing Hadlee's record meant for many young fans
The staggering image of Kapil being a combination of Bumrah and Pant
Ishant Sharma's arrival in Test cricket - and the 'trolling' years that followed
Post-2016 Ishant - the most improved Indian cricketer this decade?
The Ravi Shastri stereotypes - and how it is easy to be trapped by all of them
The legendary forthrightness of Ian Chappell
Rahul Dravid's purple patch - and why that record needs to be revisited
Mohammad Azharuddin: a glorious rise, an inglorious fall
Steve Waugh and the danger of hyping 'mental disintegration'
Sachin Tendulkar - the slow journey from hero to mortal

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Participants:

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Prashant DP (@prashantdptweet) | Prashant's cricket posts on Medium

Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd)

Ashoka (@ABVan)

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Related:

Talking fandom: love, loyalty, and a sense of belonging - 81allout podcast
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Conversation with veteran journalist Pradeep Magazine - 81allout podcast
Whatever happened to Ravi Shastri 1.0 - Sharda Ugra - ESPNcricinfo
History’s witness: The IPL final, as Ravi Shastri saw it - Siddhartha Vaidyanathan - Yahoo Cricket
Ishant Sharma interview with Gaurav Kapoor - Breakfast with Champions - YouTube
Ian Chappell on captaincy and much more - 81allout podcast
The inscrutable craftsman - Rohit Brijnath - ESPNcricinfo
Like father, like son - Siddhartha Vaidyanathan - ESPNcricinfo
Out of my Comfort Zone - Steve Waugh autobiography - Amazon
Captain courageous, like Tendulkar, vs Rihanna - Mukul Kesavan - NDTV

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81 All Out - A Cricket PodcastBy 81 All OutJan 30, 2024