Stumped

This week we discuss how new India captain Shubman Gill may lead the side. A former member of India’s coaching set up, R Sridhar, is our guest. He explains how Gill is a mix of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

It’s not just a new era for India, but also for England. Harry Brook is the new men’s white ball captain for a series of three ODIs and three T20s against West Indies. We ask whether Brook is the right choice to improve England’s poor form in limited overs cricket, and whether this extra responsibility could affect his Test form.

Plus: the team also reflect on Sikandar Raza’s remarkable journey from playing for Zimbabwe in Nottingham on Saturday, to hitting the title winning runs in the Pakistan Super League in Lahore on Sunday.

Photo: India's Shubman Gill celebrates after scoring a century during the third day of the first Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 21, 2024. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma look ahead to a defining year for England's men's Test team with a home series against India and an away Ashes to come.

We hear from Zimbabwe's Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, on the team playing a remarkable 11 Tests this year and what that means financially. He also tells Stumped why cricket at the Olympics must be different and not solely about the big nations like the Champions Trophy.

Plus, a new era for England's women is underway. We discuss what fans can expect from new head coach Charlotte Edwards and her captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Photo: England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum during the team group during nets ahead of the 3rd Test Match between Pakistan and England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 23, 2024 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharmu speak to former India Test opener, Abhinav Mukund, about Virat Kohli's impact on Test cricket following his shock retirement.

Abhinav and Kohli made their Test debuts together in 2011. We look at Kohli’s legacy on the longer form of the game and ask what his stepping down means for India and Test cricket as a whole?

We also discuss the return of the IPL and how the new schedule may affect players and series’ going forward.

IMAGE: India's Virat Kohli gestures towards his wife Anushka Sharma in the stands as he celebrates reaching his century (100 runs) during day three of the first Test cricket match between Australia and India at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 24, 2024. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma debate who should replace Rohit Sharma as India Test captain?

Sharma has announced his retirement from the longest form of the game, so we discuss his impact and legacy.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell joins us to share his thoughts on overseas player Brendan Doggett, who is tipped to be named in the Australia squad for the World Test Championship Final. Campbell also updates us on the fitness of England men's captain, Ben Stokes and bowler Brydon Carse. Plus, as Campbell is the former Netherlands coach, we ask what impact the Olympic games could have for Associate Nations?

New England head coach, Charlotte Edwards speaks about the significance of appointing a first ever national women's selector.

Photo: Rohit Sharma of India entering the ground before the start of play on day five of the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test match of Border Gavaskar trophy between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 30, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Credit: Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma hear from Australian international and Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft who tells us he is still hoping to play for Australia again, six years on from his last appearance. Bancroft also shares that he has never spoken to current Australia head coach Andrew McDonald and shares why he loves red ball cricket so much.

Plus we celebrate two stand out India stars. 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to hit a T20 century so we find out more about his upbringing. We also hear about Pratika Rawal who has become the fastest female batter to reach 500 One Day International runs.

Photo: Cameron Bancroft of Australia walks out to bat during day four of the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 26, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Credit: Getty Images)

This episode contains references to suicide. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org

The Women’s World Cup qualifiers have reached their conclusion with Pakistan and Bangladesh making it through to the ODI World Cup later this year. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss their prospects in the tournament. We also reflect on West Indies who have missed out on the Women's World Cup for the first time in 25 years.

Plus, we are joined by Lawrence Booth, the editor of the 162nd edition of the Wisden Almanack, he shares his strong opinions on the global game and reveals the name of the five Wisden cricketers of the year.

We hear from Australia all-rounder Cameron Green on his kidney condition and Ashes dreams.

Photo: Hayley Matthews of West Indies looks dejected after defeat to New Zealand during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Semi-Final 2024 match between West Indies and New Zealand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2024 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by former Australia player turned commentator Mel Jones who has been integral in helping Afghanistan women’s cricketers. She gives us her reaction after the ICC have announced they are setting up a dedicated taskforce to help the Afghanistan women.

Plus, Tanzania have made history after their under 19's men's team have qualified for the World Cup for the very first time. We are joined by captain Laksh Bakraina and Vice Chair of the Tanzania Cricket Association Ashish Nagewadia who shares what it means to the country. They also tell us about the celebrations and how cricket is developing across Africa.

The Pakistan Super League is now in its tenth year so we look at how the tournament is progressing and discuss David Warner's captaincy with the Karachi Kings.

Photo: Friba Hotak of Afghanistan Women's XI (2nd R) celebrates a wicket with her teammates during the cricket match between Afghanistan Women's XI and Cricket Without Borders XI at Junction Oval in Melbourne on January 30, 2025. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Sunil Gupta take stock of the Indian Premier League and discuss whether MS Dhoni should retire at the end of this season. Dhoni had to deny that he was retiring midway through the season after his parents were pictured at his match for Chennai Super Kings against Delhi Capitals.

Plus we analyse the return of Jasprit Bumrah who has played his first match in 93 days after injuring his back and how big Virat Kohli’s achievement is of reaching 13,000 T20 runs.

Plus we go behind the scenes and hear what life is like for a cricket agent. We are joined by Cameron Richardson who manages a number of female Australian players including Ashes hero Alana King. He tells us that when he first saw her bowl at the age of 18, she reminded him of Shane Warne. He also shares with us the difference between managing male and female players and about balancing player burnout.

Photo: Chennai Super Kings' Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on the outskirts of Chandigarh on April 8, 2025. (Photo by SHAMMI MEHRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Sunil Gupta are joined on the show by Jake Lehmann who helped South Australia win their first Sheffield Shield title in 29 years. He scored a century in the final to follow in his father’s footsteps, Australia legend Darren Lehmann, who was part of the South Australia team when they last won it in 1996.

The World Cricketers' Association are calling for changes to what they see as the sports 'chaotic' schedule and 'outdated' regulations. We hear from Tom Moffat who is the CEO of the global players union who tells us more about their recommendations and how 'international cricket could be at risk'.

Photo: Jake Lehmann of South Australia gets. his championship medal during the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval, on March 29, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

***This episode contains references to Postnatal depression. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org***

This weeks Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma features an interview with former Australia pace bowler Peter Siddle.

Siddle talks about Sachin Tendulkar being his first Test wicket, why changing Australian conditions could impact the kind of bowling attack England choose in the Ashes and how well Jasprit Bumrah bowled during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The team also speak to Sri Lankan, Nilma Dole-Williams who has had a remarkable life through cricket, playing and coaching in Peru and England and is now training the next generation of Cambodian female cricketers. If you are struggling with your mental health after having a baby, help and information can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org

Plus, we reflect on the news that the iconic Gabba stadium is to be demolished.

Photo: Peter Siddle of Australia appeals for and gets his hat-trick wicket that of Stuart Broad of England during day one of the First Ashes Test match between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 25, 2010 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)