India's deepening disaster, with Karunya Keshav

Season 10, Ep 1: This week Karunya wrote fiercely about the deafness of the Indian Premier League to the suffering outside its gates. She joins the show to explain the humanitarian disaster that has overtaken India during the biggest covid wave the world has seen.

We thoroughly recommend her article, which is here.

This starts a new season of The Final Word, with the southern summer belatedly concluded in April, and the northern season in full but chilly swing. We also cover the new Australian men's contracts, the removal of England selector Ed Smith, highlights of the county championship, women's cricket at the Comm Games, Sri Lanka's Test against Bangladesh, and a very special round of Happy Birthday Sachin.

Your Nerd Pledge double-header this week:
4.55 – Eranda Jayawickreme & Anna Collins

The Wisden Almanack discount code is WA30, or just use this link in the UK. The Woodstock cricket kit discount code is TFW20.

Story Time 44 – Ravi's unexpected spectacle

The preceding weekend brought Story Time, featuring: an alliterative match whose final day was unexpectedly spectacular. The only player with a perfect record, nestled within an imperfect record. The return story of one of the most prolific, and diminutive, of all time. Plus our regular rounds through dusty old bastardry and Bannermania.

Also, this was officially the last episode of The Final Word Season 9, even though Story Time episodes have their own numbering and aren't really bound by seasons. If you're confused, think about how we feel.

Your new Nerd Pledge numbers:
1.63 – John McPheat
3.04 – Simon Butcher & Osman Bahemia
13.13 – Rob
3.55 – Matt Gaynor

Plus revisits and confirmations.

IPL Speed Round

And a postscript. A few days before interviewing Karunya, we decided to stop making our IPL video wraps on YouTube. Basically, while there is a decent argument for the cricket to go on, we didn't feel right continuing to make what was supposed to be an upbeat and cheerful show in the context that the cricket is being played. We have spoken to Glenn Maxwell for his segment this week, but if you were wondering about the other show, that's the story.

And that's the end of April. It's been a huge month, even though it's usually the quiet one.

Stay well, everyone.