Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 253 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we are in conversation with an emerging star from Uganda, Alpesh Ramjani. 2023 was a storming year for Ugandan cricket, which was helped in no small part by Ramjani, who was both stellar with the ball and valuable with the bat. Ramjani was a nightmare for batters with his left-arm orthodox, taking 55 wickets in his...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 252 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we unravel the controversy surrounding international cricketer Usman Khawaja's recent attempt to use his platform for a cause close to his heart. The spotlight is on the International Cricket Council (ICC) as they reject Khawaja's application to display a dove logo on his gear, intended to raise awareness for human...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 251 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we are in conversation with Saima Thakor, a 27-year-old domestic cricketer known for her spicy bouncers among many other skillsets she brings to the table. She has been in the news for her selection by UP Warriorz for the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League 2024. She has been a consistent performer and a...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 250 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this landmark 250th episode of Never on the Backfoot Podcast, Neha takes a nostalgic trip down the cricketing memory lane with a very special guest – her Ajja (Grandfather in Kannada). Join Neha as she explores the roots of Ajja’s cricketing passion, tracing it back to the early days of playing gully cricket to the thrilling mat...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 249 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The BCCI on Thursday announced India's squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, where the side is scheduled to play three T20Is, as many ODIs, and two Tests. The three-match T20I series is slated to begin on December 10. In this episode, we discuss the major observations, takeaways and insights from the squads announced. On th...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 248 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Today, we're exploring the recent ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 and dissecting India's journey from a unique perspective—through the lens of sports psychology while also understanding the mentality of a high-performing team like Australia. This tournament has not only showcased the exhilarating highs and heartbreaking lows of the ga...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 247 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka’s crisis-ridden cricket board earlier this month, saying it had failed to ensure there was no government interference in its affairs. The game’s world governing body said Sri Lanka Cricket was “in serious breach of its obligations as a member, in particular, the requiremen...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 246 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India suffered a heartbreaking 9-wicket defeat to the Aussies in the World Cup final on Sunday. However, the Men in Blue won't have much time to dwell on their World Cup defeat, with the next T20 series against Australia at home starting on November 23. In this episode, we will be looking at the major observations and talking point...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 245 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Joining me on the podcast today is the stalwart of Indian domestic cricket, Sheldon Jackson. He is an Indian cricketer who plays for Saurashtra in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. He is also a multidimensional player, apart from being a reliable batter and an excellent fielder, he also keeps...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 244 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India won 10 straight matches to reach the final on home soil, but were beaten on the day by an Australian side who delivered in all facets of the game to run out winners by six wickets. This is Australia’s sixth ODI World Cup in men’s cricket and their invincibility just seems to get better with each passing day. In this episode,...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 243 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a T20 competition that is played in India. It started on 16th October 2023 and the final was held on 6 November 2023. The tournament was a part of the 2023–24 Indian domestic cricket season and this season was a very exciting one. This episode will discuss the summary, takeaways, major talking points...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 242 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The 2023–24 Women's Senior T20 Trophy was the 15th edition. The tournament took place between 19th October and 9th November 2023. 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 winner of each group and one second-placed team progresse...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 241 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Meg Lanning, a stalwart of the cricketing world, has officially announced her retirement from international cricket after her 13-year international career. In this episode, we look back at her glittering career, the highs, lows, and achievements and celebrate all that she has contributed to women’s cricket. On the Podcast today, we...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 240 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India hammered New Zealand by 70 runs to qualify for the ODI Cricket World Cup final for the first time in 12 years, thanks to Mohammed Shami's seven-wicket haul. The Rohit Sharma-led side is just one win away from ending a 10-year drought for an ICC trophy. Shami took 7/57 as India bowled New Zealand out for 327 while defending a...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 239 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast! After a spectacular batting show by all the top five Indian batters, the bowlers also demolished Netherlands' batting that put up a good fight and sent all the batters to the pavilion by 47.5 overs. With this, India thrashed the Netherlands by a whopping 160 runs and continued their winning streak by winning nine straight matches i...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 238 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India remained unbeaten at World Cup 2023 with a massive 243-run win against South Africa at Eden Gardens and sealed the top spot in the round-robin phase with a game to spare. While the batting unit fulfilled its responsibility by setting a formidable target of 327, the bowling unit made sure the clash between the top two sides at...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 237 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India dished out yet another ruthless show and demolished Sri Lanka by 302 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. With this outcome, which is their seventh win in as many matches, India became the first nation to qualify for the semifinals. In this episode, we outline that victory and delve deep into the analysis, take...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 236 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Rohit Sharma-led Indian team continued their supreme run in the ongoing edition of the World Cup and defeated England by 100 runs in Lucknow on Sunday. Leading the team from the front, Rohit scored 87 off 101 balls, helping India pile a respectable 221/9 on a tricky surface. England in response failed to resist the Indian attack sp...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 235 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India makes it five wins out of five at the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. A fascinating tussle between the two teams, India and New Zealand, at the top of the table was settled by the chase-master Kohli, who marshalled his team to their target of 274 to win in a match that had earlier been halted by descending fog in Dharamsala. In this...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 234 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Virat Kohli anchored India's 257-run chase with an unbeaten 103 (97) as the hosts completed the task in 41.3 overs. This was Kohli's 48th ODI hundred. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a perfect start with an 88-run opening partnership. Earlier, thanks to seasoned campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim's gritty 38 and Mahmudulla...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 233 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of Sports Education in India. From understanding the nuances to evolution to the modern-day challenges and opportunities and a lot more, we explore the dynamic landscape of Sports Education. We have Srishty Jain, Founder & CEO of CoLLearn join us. The Podcast is also availabl...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 232 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. India produced an enormous seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in Ahmedabad, wrapping up the dominant victory with 117 balls to spare. Pakistan lost eight wickets for 36 runs as they collapsed from 155/2 to 191 all out before Rohit Sharma’s outstanding 86 helped steer his team to victory. Five Indian bowlers were among the wickets,...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 231 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Rohit Sharma made a mockery of the famed Afghanistan attack to score an eight-wicket win in the World Cup match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi yesterday. Chasing a below-par 273 on a perfect batting wicket, the Indian skipper was at his belligerent best, just like in the previous World Cup when he scored four consecutive...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 230 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul produced yet another masterclass as India kicked off the World Cup 2023 campaign with a six-wicket win against Australia in Chennai on Sunday. Rahul returned unbeaten on 97, while Kohli slammed 85 as the pair stitched a crucial 165-run stand for the fourth wicket after India were reduced to 2-3 in the secon...

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 229 (Part 2) of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. International cricket’s biggest tournament is set to get underway in India on October 5. In this part, we will focus on the other set of teams- Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands in the lead-up to the ICC ODI Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. We have Rishab Vinay Malde joining us for t...