Hi there! Welcome to Episode 321 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The Gautam Gambhir era has begun, but so has the debate—is it time for Indian men’s cricket to embrace the split-coaching model? 

In this episode, Abhinav joins me as we dive deep into the philosophy of having separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats. We explore the benefits, the risks, and what it could mean for player workloads, team culture, and India’s future in ICC tournaments. 

From Harbhajan Singh’s endorsement to BCCI’s possible post–Champions Trophy rethink, we examine global examples, homegrown challenges, and whether Gambhir should lead all formats or focus on one. Packed with insights, case studies, and probing questions, this conversation is for every cricket fan who’s curious about the next big structural shift in the game.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 320 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Cheteshwar Pujara has called time on his international career, closing the chapter on one of Indian cricket’s most resolute and defining journeys. 

In this episode, Srijan joins us as we trace his path from being tagged the “next Dravid” to becoming the backbone of India’s Test side, reliving iconic knocks — from his Adelaide century and Sydney marathon to the bruising Gabba vigil. 

We discuss his technique, temperament, and the role he played in shaping India’s overseas triumphs, while also reflecting on the criticisms, challenges, and eventual decline. As India looks to the future, we ask: what is Pujara’s true legacy, and how will the game remember the man who made patience a weapon?

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 319 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this special retrospective, Ankit joins us yet again as we revisit the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup — a tournament that marked new beginnings and unforgettable milestones. 

From South Africa hosting for the first time, to India’s historic run to their maiden final, and Australia cementing their dominance with Karen Rolton’s iconic century, this edition was filled with drama, resilience, and defining performances.

We break it down team by team and also look back at the heartbreaks and triumphs that shaped the competition. Along the way, we reflect on the tournament’s legacy, the transition to ICC governance, and how 2005 became a turning point for women’s cricket on the global stage.

Join us as we look back at the matches, the moments, and the memories that continue to resonate two decades later.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 318 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast.

India have unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at home — a blend of experience, fresh talent, and the unmistakable stamp of the WPL. 

In this episode, Janani of Sportsy Mathsy Tales fame joins us as we break down the squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana as deputy, examining the balance between batting and bowling, the x-factors, and the big calls made by the selectors. 

From the rise of youngsters like Pratika Rawal, Kranti Goud, and Sree Charani, to the return of seasoned performers like Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma, we discuss what this team means for India’s chances at a home World Cup. 

We also touch upon the omissions, the timing and coverage of the announcement, and the broader discourse around women’s cricket as India gears up for its biggest ODI challenge yet.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 317 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. Loyalty in cricket — is it a fading virtue or still a defining part of the game? 

In this episode, Bharat joins in as we explore the tension between players who stay rooted to one franchise, like Virat Kohli with RCB, and those who chase new opportunities, like the recent buzz around Sanju Samson’s possible move from Rajasthan Royals. 

From the economics of auctions to the emotions of fans, from franchise culture to the global freelancing era of T20 cricket, we ask: what does loyalty really mean in modern cricket, and does it still matter?

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 316 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In yet another retrospective episode, we journey back to the 2000 Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand — a tournament that reshaped the landscape of women’s cricket. 

From the anticipation around defending champions Australia to New Zealand’s historic triumph on home soil, we revisit the defining moments, team performances, and individual brilliance that made this edition memorable. Ankit helps us unpack the drama of the group stages, the tension of the knockouts, and the final that brought women’s cricket into sharper focus worldwide. 

Join us as we reflect on the legacy of the 2000 World Cup and its place in shaping the modern women’s game.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 315 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. From the MCC’s lofty ideals to the raw heat of the middle, the “Spirit of Cricket” is never far from controversy — but what does it really mean in the modern game? 

In this episode, we dive into two recent flashpoints that lit up cricket’s moral debate: Wiaan Mulder’s self-declaration at 367, stopping short of Brian Lara’s record out of respect, and Ben Stokes’ Old Trafford ‘Handshake-gate’ with India, where cultural values, milestone-chasing, and perceived hypocrisy clashed. 

Are these moments examples of sportsmanship, missed opportunity, or just personal choice being judged through someone else’s lens? We unpack the incidents, the outrage, and the bigger question — who truly gets to define the Spirit of Cricket?

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 314 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. 

The inaugural Maharani Trophy 2025 brought flair, fight, and fresh faces to the stage of Karnataka women’s cricket. In this episode, we break down every twist and turn—from Hubli Tigers’ title-winning charge to Mysore Warriors’ spirited  run, the heartbreak of the semi-finals, and the hidden gems who lit up the tournament. 

Sachith joins us as we unpack tactical battles, standout performances, and the bigger picture of what this league means for the future of women’s cricket in the state. Expect insights, stories, and the inside track on who to watch out for when the Maharani Trophy returns next year.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 313 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In December 1997, India hosted the biggest Women’s Cricket World Cup the sport had ever seen—11 teams, 32 matches, and a record-breaking number of fans at Eden Gardens for the final. 

From Belinda Clark’s historic double century to India’s semi-final surge and nail-biting knockout clashes, the tournament was a spectacle of skill, grit, and untold stories.

In this episode, Ankit joins us as we revisit the matches, moments, and memories that shaped the 1997 edition, with insights from those who were there—on the field, in the dressing rooms, and behind the scenes. Expect anecdotes you won’t find in scorecards, reflections on the tournament’s legacy, and a look at how this “forgotten giant” still echoes through women’s cricket today.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 312 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this special retrospective, we travel back to the summer of 1993—a tournament that almost didn’t happen, but went on to change the course of women’s cricket. 

From England lifting the trophy at Lord’s to India’s quietly significant campaign, from the emergence of Associate nations like Denmark to the heartbreak of defending champions Australia, we unpack the matches, moments, and milestones that defined the 1993 Women’s ODI World Cup.

Joined by Ankit, we chronicle the stories behind the scorecards: leadership under pressure, grassroots grit, funding battles, and the lasting legacy of a tournament that proved women's cricket belonged on the big stage.

Whether you're a cricket nostalgist or discovering this chapter for the first time, this episode is a celebration of resilience, breakthrough, and a game-changing summer.

Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode and for your incredible support. If you haven’t already, make sure to hit the follow button and tap the bell icon on Spotify to stay updated with every new episode.

Stay connected with us on social media – follow @neveronthebackfoot on Instagram and Threads, and @neverontheback1 on Twitter (now X) for the latest cricket insights, fresh content, and much more throughout this action-packed season.

You can also catch the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify for Podcasters, and many other streaming platforms. Plus, Never on the Backfoot is now on YouTube, so don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive, in-depth content coming your way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. Until next time, stay safe, take care, and keep enjoying the game. Bye for now!