Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 276 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we will discuss and review the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2024–25 and this was the 16th edition. The tournament took place between 17th October and 12th November 2024. 37 teams competed in the tournament, divided into two groups of eight and three groups of seven, playing each other side in their group once. The win...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 275 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The ICC has unveiled the 2025-2029 Future Tours Programme, which outlines the fixtures for the fourth edition of the ICC Women’s Championship. This cycle, set to shape the lineup for the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup, will expand to feature 11 teams – one more than the current 10. Notably, Zimbabwe will make their debut in the tou...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 274 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. As the 2025 Women's Premier League (WPL) season approaches, anticipation is building around the strategic decisions made by franchises during the retention and release window.  This critical phase, where teams lock in their core squads and part ways with players, sets the tone for the upcoming season’s dynamics.  In this review and...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 273 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we dive into the evolving pathways and challenges facing Associate nations in women’s cricket as they strive for a place for equality.  With recent decisions of the ICC, tying ODI status to T20I rankings and new qualification criteria that could reward strategic inactivity, questions arise about fairness and merit....

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 272 [Part 2] of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this two-part episode series, we’re engaging in an in-depth exploration of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024! Kalyani Mangale joins us again. We’ll dive into the team performances, takeaways, observations, individual standout performances, unexpected upsets, and defining moments that shaped the tournament. In Part 2, we lo...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 272 [Part 1] of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this two-part episode series, we’re engaging in an in-depth exploration of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024! We’ll dive into the team performances, takeaways, observations, individual standout performances, unexpected upsets, and defining moments that shaped the tournament. In Part 1, we look at New Zealand, South Africa,...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 271 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the thrilling conclusion of the recently wrapped IND vs NZ women’s series. It was a contest filled with unforgettable moments, standout performances, and intense competition that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In this episode, we’ll break down each match, highlighting key moments that...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 270 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we're celebrating a monumental moment in cricket history: New Zealand's stunning T20 World Cup victory!  Join us as we delve into the significance of this historic win, not just for the team but for the entire landscape of women's cricket. We’ll explore the journey traversed by NZ in the World Cup, top performers,...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 269 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we're diving into India's campaign at the recently concluded Women's T20 World Cup, where hopes were high but results fell short as the team faced an early exit in the group stages. We’ll unpack the major talking points from the tournament, highlighting what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned from this ex...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 268 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, joining me is Sharadha Sridharan. She is the coach of the U-15 Tamil Nadu women's team. She is also a BCCI and ICC Level 2 certified coach and a cricket analyst. What makes her all the more special is that she is a first-class cricketer having represented Tamil Nadu in the senior and U-19 categories. In this ep...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 267 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, joining me is a fellow cricket enthusiast and journalist Lauren Jacobs who shares my passion for the sport. We’ll be discussing her journey and career, our shared love for cricket, the intense and evolving rivalry and friendship between India and South Africa in women's and world cricket, the current state of the P...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 266 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we will preview India’s squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. India enter the T20 World Cup with a burning desire to shatter their streak of near misses in world events, having come agonisingly close in recent tournaments only to falter at the final hurdle. With a formidable squad at full strength, India...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 265 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we look at India’s win versus England in the last and final test match and discuss all the major talking points. India completed a thumping 4-1 series win against visiting England with an innings and 64 runs in Dharamsala on Saturday. After posting 477 runs in their first innings, India dismissed England for the se...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 264 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we look at how India held their nerve to beat England by five wickets in the fourth Test to seal their 17th straight series win at home in Ranchi on Monday. India has now taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series with the final game to be played in Dharamsala on March 7. Joining us on the discussion i...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 263 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we look at India’s comprehensive win against England in the third test at Rajkot. Led by Yashasvi Jaiswal's Jasball and hometown hero Ravindra Jadeja's 5-wicket haul, India hammered England by 434 runs on Sunday in Rajkot. It was a reality check for Bazball as England failed to show a fight with the bat in their fi...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 262 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we delve deep into the intricate dynamics between domestic cricket and the IPL, two pillars of Indian cricket. As the IPL continues to capture the imagination of fans worldwide, questions arise about the evolving relevance of traditional domestic tournaments in nurturing talent and sustaining the cricketing ecosyst...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 261 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we reflect on the second test match where India beat England by 106 runs in Visakhapatnam on Monday to level the five-match series 1-1. Jasprit Bumrah and Yashasvi Jaiswal were the two key figures in India's victory over an England side that refused to give up till the very end, even as they were dominated every da...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 260 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we discuss how Kraigg Brathwaite-led West Indies side defeated Pat Cummins’ Australia by 8 runs in the second Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, on January 28 to record their first Test win on Australian soil after 27 years. Shamar Joseph was the hero of this win with his 7-wicket haul in the second innings. In this ep...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 259 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode- Nandini, Neha, Rishab and Subhashini explore the thrilling world of U19 Cricket and the incredible journeys of young talents who have emerged from the shadows to shine on the global stage. From unforgettable moments in the U19 World Cup to the challenges and triumphs faced by players transitioning to the senior tea...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 258 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the 1st test match featuring India and England. The star-studded India batting unit crumbled under pressure as debutant Tom Hartley spun his web to help England register a 28-run win in Hyderabad. It was a poor batting performance on Day 4 as they were bundled out for 202. The top and middle order failed...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 257 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we look at IND’s T20 playing style. The episode is a pertinent reminder of India’s performance after the ODI World Cup and the series vs AUS, SA and AFG that followed. We reflect on all major talking points, the importance of the IPL and how the squad is shaping up for all the marquee ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, later...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 256 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we will preview the upcoming India versus England test match series. The Indian team will be up against England in a five-match series starting Thursday, January 25, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. We discuss the squads, players to watch out for, major observations, matchups, strengths, and...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 255 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we discuss David Warner. We're diving deep into the dynamic and illustrious career of one of cricket's most explosive and charismatic players – David Warner. From his early days smashing boundaries in the backyard to becoming an international cricket sensation, Warner's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Join...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 254 (Side B) of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we delve deep into the IND v AUS series and reflect on all the insights and observations. We have Mohit Shah joining us for the conversation. The Podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify for Podcasters, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and many other platforms and spread the word. Check out @neveronth...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 254 (Side A) of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we discuss everything about the just concluded IND v ENG series that brought in so many talking points, observations and takeaways. While we did see remarkable results, India was tested on a lot of frontiers which made for enthralling encounters. We have Mohit Shah joining us for the conversation. The Podc...