Spin, Fatigue or Boredom: What's Ailing Indian Cricket Team at ICC T20 World Cup?

After two losses, the Indian cricket team has only a slim chance of qualifying for the semis of the ICC T20 World Cup. Playthings co-hosts Siddhanth Aney and Leslie Xavier look at what's next for the side in the tournament as well as the immediate future. Meanwhile, Afghanistan played superb cricket through the World T20 and are in the reckoning for progression, possibly at the expense of India. This comes in the backdrop of turmoil back home in the wake of  the Taliban takeover. We talk about the global reaction to Taliban statements on women's sport and whether the world needs to move away from an isolationist stance and engage with Afghanistan instead. The Quinton de Kock Black Lives Matter controversy has put a spotlight on the larger issues ailing cricket in South Africa. It also makes us wonder whether the players who took a knee at this World Cup believe in their actions, or are merely Playthings...of alien forces.   

Playthings is Newsclick's deep dive into the stories behind the big sports headlines from the week, with insight and opinion in buckets.