The Buzz: You might get a call from Alyssa Healy

All the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond

28-Sep-2020

All the world's cricketers walked into a bar. The LOLs, the chatter, and the occasional mini-brawls, they were endless. And the news cycle was never the same again! Welcome to ESPNcricinfo's Buzz, your go-to destination for all the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond.

October 2

Imagine answering your phone and having your favourite cricketers say hullo and have a chat? Since pandemic regulations prevent players from interacting with their fans face to face, Alyssa Healy and Delissa Kimmince take the time to call up and thank fans for attending their matches against New Zealand in Brisbane.

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The girls miss being able to say hi and sign autographs after their matches, so this is the next best thing!

A post shared by Aussie Women's Cricket Team (@auswomencricket) on Oct 1, 2020 at 9:32pm PDT

October 1

Who's the worst singer in the RCB squad?

Who sucks at pool volleyball and whose mike should be muted during karoake?

A fun game of pool volleyball and a karaoke night, the Royal Challengers embrace the bonding sessions on rest days with plenty of smiles and laughter.#PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/GJqPT4ckB0
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 30, 2020

RCB also have a mentorship programme, which pairs Navdeep Saini with Dale Steyn and makes us totally jealous.

Bold Diaries: RCB Mentorship Programme

Every RCB cricketer is paired with a buddy from the team, giving each other an opportunity to learn, mentor and share. Mike Hesson explains this unique team bonding initiative. #PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/AwseoA94il
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 1, 2020

Life in a bubble

We'd totally be open to playing international cricket during a pandemic if it means someone can give us decent haircuts.

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Home haircuts and hub life!

A post shared by Ellyse Perry (@ellyseperry) on Sep 30, 2020 at 3:53am PDT

A post shared by Mumbai Indians (@mumbaiindians) on Sep 30, 2020 at 12:31am PDT

Don't hold me back

Andre Russell looks unstoppable.

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A post shared by Andre Russell Dre Russ. (@ar12russell) on Sep 30, 2020 at 12:13pm PDT

The save

Ajinkya Rahane is on point, eh?

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The effort never stops! #Dream11IPL #CricketTogether

A post shared by Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane) on Sep 30, 2020 at 4:31am PDT

September 30

Life in the bio-bubble ain't easy, especially when your team-mates (but not your state mates) keep nicking your food supplies.

This is unbelievable scenes..... especially as the quote of the tour is "anything for the Vics". Remarkable @MollyStrano https://t.co/dNBuQ2Y3YU
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) September 30, 2020

Graeme Swann is the new Shikhar Dhawan

Any IPL franchise looking for a hard-hitting opener?

Thanks to @Oakley for providing the Shikhar Dhawan shades for tonight's #selectdugout @StarSportsIndia my left handed stroke play is sure to improve from this point onwards! pic.twitter.com/QbNZnFsOv6
— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) September 29, 2020

The restriction

Travel app Ixigo uses Nicholas Pooran's amazing catch against the Rajasthan Royals to make a point about Indian parents.

Abba nahi maanenge #Pooran #IPL2020 #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/pAcxRblIp2
— ixigo (@ixigo) September 28, 2020

September 29

So many feels for the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab

The Royal Challengers Bangalore-Mumbai Indians match was the second of two IPL thrillers in two days - 402 runs were scored before the game went into a Super Over, where RCB prevailed. How were Mumbai feeling at the end of the game? There were some who could empathise.

Feel ya, @mipaltan #RCBvMI pic.twitter.com/3AdnM44cOD
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) September 28, 2020

Well at least I'm on my couch #IPL2020
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 28, 2020

The fashionistas

New Zealand's Jess Watkin and Hayley Jensen on what well-dressed cricketers wear in a bio-bubble.

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Hittin the table in style . . . . #tabletennis #nicemelons #pingpong #bestdressed #gameface

A post shared by Hayley Jensen (@hayleyjensen17) on Sep 28, 2020 at 9:20pm PDT

Brendon McCullum protests colossal waste of good cake

Baz makes a very valid point and we'll protest all this cake smashing and smearing too if anyone ever gets us one.

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Still haven't worked out why we don't just eat the cake, but hey it was a fun birthday celebration with our @kkriders family. Thanks to everyone for making it special. Missed my family back in NZ but was great to share it with our boys here in Abu Dhabi. Thanks for all of the well wishes also.

A post shared by Brendon McCullum (@bazmccullum42) on Sep 28, 2020 at 2:56am PDT

Dressing-room joy for Tewatia and his Rajasthan Royals team-mates

The Royals bask in the glow of their thrilling win over the Kings XI Punjab. Captain Steven Smith congratulates Rahul Tewatia and Sanju Samson fos their innings; Tewatia acknowledges the challenge the bowlers faced at the death and awards the team turban to Samson, who then passes it to medium-pacer Ankit Rajpoot.

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Straight from the dressing room, into your hearts. - Reactions post THAT chase. #RRvKXIP #HallaBol #IPL2020

A post shared by Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) on Sep 28, 2020 at 2:24am PDT

And Tewatia on what his grandmother told him before his innings.

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A moment for the ages. This one's for dadi, @rahultewatia20 #RoyalsFamily #HallaBol #IPL2020

A post shared by Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) on Sep 28, 2020 at 9:29am PDT

Jonty is impressed

Jonty Rhodes is a fan of Nicholas Pooran's gravity-defying save at the boundary.

I promise I wasnt fishing for compliments @sachin_rt that really was the most spectacular piece of fielding I have seen; anywhere!! @lionsdenkxip will keep on entertaining #IPL2020 #saddapunjab https://t.co/sMLHk2eHSb
— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) September 28, 2020

September 28

Rahul Tewatia's rollercoaster innings in the Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab match last night had us all at the edge of our seats. Yuvraj Singh's nails were bitten down to the quick too, but for a slightly different reason.

Mr @rahultewatia02 na bhai na thanks for missing one ball ! What a game congratulations to rr for a spectacular win !!! #RRvKXIP @mayankcricket great knock @IamSanjuSamson brilliant !
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 27, 2020

Ponting's post-match pep talk for the Delhi Capitals

Ricky Ponting's post-match debrief is the reality show we need right now.

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Ricky Ponting's post-match speeches Straight Outta DC's dressing room: @rickyponting lauds the boys after perfectly planning and executing their way in #CSKvDC #Dream11IPL #YehHaiNayiDilli

A post shared by Delhi Capitals (in ) (@delhicapitals) on Sep 27, 2020 at 1:40am PDT

Yuvi's reliving past glories

The rest of the world may be watching the IPL, but Yuvraj Singh is throwing back to some special moments and dishing out tongue-in-cheek compliments to former team-mates.

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Thanks sree ! @sreesanthnair36 #throwback 2007 t20 champions !!!

A post shared by Yuvraj Singh (@yuvisofficial) on Sep 24, 2020 at 8:55am PDT

Well, no, he's also watching the IPL, but with a keen eye for brand placement

Nice bat mr gill who's bat is that?
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 27, 2020

Missed all the chatter last week? Catch up here