Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 344 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. At the end of every IPL season, alongside the glittering trophies and title celebrations, there’s another award, one that honours ‘fair play’. But what does fairness really mean in a league built on intensity, competition, and spectacle?

In this episode, Sarthak Dev joins in as we dive deep into the IPL Fair Play Award—its history, its purpose, and the paradoxes it embodies. We ask tough questions: Is fair play something teams genuinely practice, or something they perform for points and perception? 

Does the award still matter in today’s commercial IPL, or is it a symbolic relic of a simpler time? And ultimately, what does it say about the way we value ethics, discipline, and respect in sport and in life?

Join us for a reflective, philosophical conversation exploring moments of sportsmanship, controversy, and the complex relationship between winning and integrity in the IPL.

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 343 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast.

In this episode, we’re diving into the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy [Elite and Plate] and the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal One Day Trophy 2026.

Joining us is Prajin, as we unpack the structure of the Elite and Plate divisions and what this segregation means for competitiveness and player development across the circuit.

From tightly contested group stages to high-stakes knockouts, we break down the most competitive groups, standout matches, and key performers who lit up the tournament.

We also analyze the road to the final — from gripping Pre-Quarter Finals and Quarter Finals to surprising Semi-Final outcomes culminating in Delhi’s title-winning campaign against Railways.

What made Delhi so dominant this season? Which players stood out the most? And what trends can we take away from this year’s competition?

Shifting focus to the Plate division, we discuss Bihar’s commanding run and what it says about emerging teams in the domestic setup.

The episode also covers the return of the Inter Zonal One Day Trophy, where we assess each zone’s performance from Central Zone’s clinical, title-winning run to West Zone’s strong campaign, and the mixed fortunes of other zones.

We revisit the most memorable matches, key takeaways, and what this tournament means for the future of domestic women’s cricket in India.

Tune in for a comprehensive review filled with insights, analysis, and appreciation of the depth in India’s women’s cricket pipeline.

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 342 of the Never on the Backfoot Podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Tarutr Malhotra, the mind behind Best of Cricket, a daily curated newsletter dedicated to showcasing the finest cricket writing from across the internet.

From sharp match analysis and long-form features to hidden gems from independent blogs and local publications, the newsletter has quietly become a go-to space for readers who care deeply about thoughtful cricket journalism.

Tarutr talks about the origins of the newsletter, the intent behind creating a clutter-free space for quality cricket writing, and what defines “good” cricket storytelling in an era driven by algorithms and instant reactions.

We explore the process behind daily curation, the evolving landscape of cricket media, and why newsletters may be emerging as an antidote to content overload.

The conversation also dives into building a niche audience, sustaining consistency, the challenges of running an independent media project, and the road ahead for Best of Cricket — including questions around growth, community, and financial sustainability.

If you love cricket beyond just scores and highlights, this episode is a deep dive into the people and ideas shaping how the game is written about today.

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 341 of the Never on the Backfoot Podcast.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 gave us far more than just four qualification spots. Across conditions in Nepal, teams from five regions pushed, adapted, stumbled, and surprised — revealing just how much the global women’s game is evolving.

In this episode, Sudeshna Bhattarai joins us to break down the tournament beyond the scorecards. We discuss how early assumptions around team hierarchies were challenged, which sides truly understood the conditions, and how adaptability often mattered more than experience.

From Bangladesh’s measured dominance and Ireland’s understated efficiency to Scotland and the Netherlands navigating pressure in different ways, we assess what actually separated the qualifiers from the rest.

We also dive into the campaigns of Thailand, USA, PNG, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and host Nepal — unpacking identity, preparation gaps, momentum swings, and the psychological weight of expectations.

The episode also zooms out to ask the bigger questions: with a 16-team Women’s T20 World Cup on the horizon, does this Qualifier finally feel like a real pathway? And which of the qualified teams looks best placed to compete — not just participate — on the world stage?

A tournament shaped by conditions, clarity, and consequence — this is a deep-dive into what the Qualifier really told us about the present and future of women’s international 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 340 of the Never on the Backfoot Podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with senior sports journalist Vijay Lokapally and co-author Akshay to unpack We Are the Champions, a book that revisits 40 defining moments in Indian sport.

The conversation goes beyond medals and scorecards—diving into how sporting history is chosen, remembered, and sometimes overlooked.

We talk about why the book looks at Indian sport beyond cricket, the challenge of narrowing decades of history into just 40 moments, and how ideas of success, failure, and transformation have evolved over time.

The episode also explores what it takes to build a sport-first culture in India, the role of media in shaping sporting memory, and what the future of Indian sport could look like as the country sets its sights on hosting global events.

A reflective conversation on storytelling, legacy, and the moments that truly shape a sporting nation.

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 339 of the Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this episode, we break down the WPL 2026 Mega Auction with Janani — not just the biggest stories and boldest bids, but how each team actually stacks up heading into the new season.

From Deepti Sharma’s record signing to the shock of unsold internationals and the surge of new sponsorship money reshaping the league, we unpack the forces driving this auction. Team by team, we assess what each franchise now looks like on paper — Mumbai’s continuity-driven core, UP’s all-rounder-heavy firepower, RCB’s smart rebuild, Delhi’s evolution beyond the Lanning era, and Gujarat’s high-risk, high-reward balance.

Who built the most complete squad? Who left gaps unanswered? And which teams truly nailed their auction strategy? Fast, sharp and packed with insight, this episode is your definitive guide to how WPL 2026 is shaping up. 

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 folks, welcome back to Part 2 of Episode 338 where we comprehensively review the World Cup.  In Part 2– we look at the journeys of England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. 

Janani also joins me to dive deep into major tournament-wide talking points, ranging from weather, marketing, prize money, associate nations, and the future of ODI cricket, among many interesting discourses.

Whether you’re reliving the World Cup or looking ahead to what’s next for the women’s game, this episode has you covered. Tune in, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to follow the podcast for more such conversations all season long!

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 338 [Part 1] of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. We dive into a complete, team-by-team review of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. 

From India’s historic title-winning run to South Africa’s rise, Australia’s rare struggles, England’s inconsistency, New Zealand’s missed moments, and the spirited campaigns of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan – we leave no storyline unexplored.

Joining us is Janani, who brings sharp insight, clarity, and data-driven analysis as we break down every team’s journey. In Part 1– we look at first talking points from the World Cup and then look at the journeys of World champions India, South Africa and Australia.

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 337 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In Notebook 5 of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, we bring you a thrilling wrap-up of an unforgettable knockout phase!

Janani of Sportsy Mathsy Tales joins us as we break down South Africa’s commanding semi-final win over England, headlined by Laura Wolvaardt’s majestic 169 and Marizanne Kapp’s five-for that sealed their first-ever World Cup final berth. Then, we relive India’s epic chase against Australia, where Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 and Harmanpreet Kaur’s tactical masterclass guided the hosts into a dream final.

Finally, we dive deep into the India vs South Africa Final at Navi Mumbai — from Smriti and Shafali’s flying start, to Deepti Sharma’s match-winning all-round brilliance, and Laura Wolvaardt’s valiant century in defeat.

Join us as we reflect on the defining moments, tactical brilliance, emotional highs, and the significance of India lifting their maiden Women’s World Cup on home soil. Insightful, passionate, and packed with cricketing perspective — this episode celebrates the women who made history.

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 336 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast.

It’s been a week of contrasts at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 — from Sri Lanka’s commanding batting displays at home to South Africa’s ruthless precision, and from Australia’s clinical dominance to Pakistan’s heartbreak under grey Colombo skies. Across these matches, weather interruptions, tactical battles, and individual brilliance have all shaped the narrative. 

In this episode, we break down the key moments from Matches 15 through 19 — the partnerships that turned games, the bowling spells that shifted momentum, and the rain that refused to stay away.

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!