Amazon India’s first original series will stream worldwide on 10 July. It is a sort of fictionalised retelling of the kind of gossip and sleaze that we have come to associate with modern day cricket in general and the IPL in particular.
Inside Edge provides a ringside view into the world of cricket, where it’s less of a sport and more of a business run with questionable morals and ethical dilemmas as its constant companions. The 10-part series directed by Karan Anshuman takes us straight into a rather tense dressing room of Mumbai Mavericks. They have won 2 out of the 5 seasons of the Power Play League and understandably want the winning streak to not abandon them for the sixth season that we are witnessing.
The 40-odd-minutes-long first episode introduces us to the main characters. There is Vayu Raghavan, the true maverick of the team. The pitch is where we see the best in him, bludgeoning the opponent’s attack as ruthlessly as he tramples over rules and regulations off the field. The team owner Zarina Malik reminds us of a certain Ms Zinta as she cheers from the stands and is seen liberally hugging her team after their match wins.
In fact one can’t help but draw parallels between the characters we see on screen and their possible real life inspirations.
There are other members in the team like the dependable captain Arvind Vashishth, Coach Niranjan Suri, a dubious spinner Devendra Mishra and the young fast bowler Prashat Kannaujia. As each episode gets dunk into a heady cocktail of ambition and power, more skeletons tumble out of closets and a closed door meeting gives us a look into the inner workings of their minds.
The entry of Vikrant Dhawan, owner of the biggest sports management company facilitated by the exit of one of the partners of Mumbai Mavericks brings a sinister twist to the proceedings.
By episode 3, when every player is discussed as per his sell tag it becomes clear that in this nexus of conflicting interests between money and power, talent is sometimes the biggest casualty.
The performances are a big pull with Tanuj Virwani giving us a lot to celebrate. He melts into his role as the brash brat who has scant regard for authority or women, and is usually found capering with cheerleaders in the throes of passion right before his innings.
Angad Bedi as the upright and sincere captain is the best that we have seen of him till now. Sanjay Suri is beautifully measured and is as usual a pleasure to watch in a role right up his alley. Siddhant Chaturvedi as the young cricketer Prashant Kanaujia taking his first hesitant steps into the big bad world does a fine job and Amit Sial is fabulous as the mean and hateful Devender Mishra.
Richa Chadha is effective in her power suits as she fights to retain control of her team. As a fading star at the cusp of oblivion and achingly aware of her slipping stardom, she reminds us once again of all that she is capable of. Vivek Anand Oberoi isn’t bad but his role seems to strike a discordant note.
He plays a betting mastermind almost like the wheelchair-bound villain Kaal of Krrish. A ruthless negotiator with a BDSM fetish, his character seems a little overwrought for comfort.
Then there is the wide-eyed beauty Sayani Gupta as the team analyst Rohini Raghavan. Always armed with the minutest of details and statistics, she plays it exuberantly. Manu Rishi Chadha as the owner of the Haryana Hurricanes is a delight as usual and Sarah-Jane Diaz and Aahana Kumra are welcome additions.
There is a lot that’s happening in each episode.
The match fixing angle is introduced in the 3rd episode and the plot mechanisations weave an irresistible tapestry.
Sometimes complete episodes are dedicated to the betting banquet and what that entails for the players and their performances on the field.
These are some of the most dramatic moments and a special word for the way the stadium frames have been shot. With Rohan Gavaskar and Atul Wassan roped in as commentators the frenzy has a credible potency.
Inside Edge has an impressive ensemble cast, some sharp editing and lots of meaty cliffhangers to make it difficult for us to stop until we have seen it all.
Despite some over-dramatic machinations that appear far-fetched, it is on a firm footing.
For cricket aficionados and those simply hungry for an engaging web series, Inside Edge is a safe bet.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)