Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

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!

Hi there! Welcome to Episode 311 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. The Hundred is back — and so are we! In this special preview episode, Rosa joins us as we dive deep into the Women's Hundred 2025 season. 

From blockbuster overseas signings to rising domestic stars, we break down each of the eight squads with SWOT-style insights, key players to watch, and our predictions for where they’ll finish.

Join us as we answer all the big questions — team by team — and set the stage for a summer of thrilling cricket. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just tuning in, this episode will get you Hundred-ready. Tune in, take notes, and pick your favourites.

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 310 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. 

The stage is set, the squads are locked in, and history is about to be made as the inaugural KSCA T20 Maharani Trophy 2025 kicks off on August 4. In this episode, we preview the much-anticipated tournament that’s set to redefine women’s domestic cricket in Karnataka.

From auction takeaways to team strategies, X-factors to breakout stars — we break down all five franchises: Bengaluru Blasters, Hubli Tigers, Mangaluru Dragons, Mysore Warriors, and Shivamogga Lioness. Who got their combinations right? Which teams have the depth to go the distance? And who are the young guns to watch?

Join us as we set the stage for a week of thrilling T20 action, bold predictions, and game-changing talent.

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 309 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. In this special episode, Janani of Sportsy Mathsy Tales fame joins us to unpack India's emphatic tour of England where they clinched both the T20I and ODI series, creating history in the process.

We begin with the T20I series that the Women in Blue sealed 3-2, where India stunned the hosts with commanding wins in the opening two games. We dissect key partnerships, tactical calls, and how the Indian spinners outbowled England on their own turf. 

We also discuss England’s bounce-back wins and what positives they can take from the T20I series. Then, we shift focus to the ODI series, which saw India win 2–1 in yet another impressive display. Join us as we review the series match-by-match, spotlight breakout stars, and evaluate what these results mean for both sides.

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 308 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. 

In another retrospective episode, we journey back to the 1988 Women’s ODI World Cup—a tournament rich with stories but often missing from mainstream cricket memory. Hosted in Australia as part of the Bicentenary celebrations, the edition featured just five teams, notable absences, and remarkable performances that laid crucial groundwork for the future of the women’s game.

Why wasn’t India there? What happened behind the scenes? What did this World Cup reveal about the global state of women’s cricket at the time—and why does it still matter?

Joining us is a women’s cricket historian and enthusiast, Ankit who helps unpack the context, controversies, standout players, and untold stories of a tournament that deserves more recognition. From administrative hurdles to archival silences—this episode is a tribute to a pivotal but overlooked chapter in women’s cricket 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 307 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. 

In this special retrospective, we journey back to the 1982 Women’s Cricket World Cup—an edition marked by resilience, groundbreaking performances, and quiet revolutions. Hosted in New Zealand after a dramatic relocation, the tournament featured a demanding double round-robin format, the first-ever Women’s World Cup final, and a lot more

Joining us is a women's cricket historian and lifelong enthusiast, Ankit to unpack the context, controversies, and characters that defined this landmark event. From Australia’s unbeaten run and Jan Brittin’s batting masterclass to the underappreciated efforts of the International XI and India’s coming-of-age moment, we piece together a rich and layered narrative of a tournament often lost in time.

What did this World Cup mean for the evolution of women’s cricket? Why does it deserve to be remembered? And what can today’s game learn from the pioneers of 1982?

Tune in as we celebrate the forgotten brilliance of the 1982 Women’s World Cup—one match, one moment, and one story at a time.

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 306 of Never on the Backfoot Podcast. 

In this special episode, we journey back to the 1978 Women’s ODI World Cup—an edition steeped in history yet often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Hosted in India and featuring just four teams, this tournament was a landmark moment for women’s cricket in more ways than one. Joining me is a leading expert on women’s cricket history, who unpacks the context, challenges, standout matches, and hidden stories that defined this edition. From Australia’s dominance to India’s debut on the world stage, we explore the performances, politics, and legacy of a World Cup that deserves to be remembered.

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.