The stories behind the stories – interview with journalist Clayton MurzelloThe stories behind the stories – interview with journalist Clayton Murzello

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Our special guest this week is Clayton Murzello, group sports editor of Mid-Day in Mumbai. A few months ago, we had chatted with Clayton about his journey in cricket journalism and of the stories surrounding club cricket in Mumbai. This time we chose to ask him about the stories behind


‘It takes time to understand what makes you tick’ – Aakash Chopra

‘It takes time to understand what makes you tick’ – Aakash Chopra‘It takes time to understand what makes you tick’ – Aakash Chopra

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In this episode, we chat with former India Test cricketer, columnist, author and commentator Aakash Chopra. Aakash tells us about his initiation into the game – in the mid-1980s – and of learning the fundamentals from his legendary coach Tarak Sinha. He goes on to review his international stint and


Cricket as a novelty, an obsession, and as literature: interview with Samanth SubramanianCricket as a novelty, an obsession, and as literature: interview with Samanth Subramanian

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In this episode, we chat with journalist and author (and once full-time cricket journalist) Samanth Subramanian. A long-time cricket fan who began his career as a sub-editor at Cricinfo, Samanth rewinds to the time he fell in love with the game – in the mid-1990s – and gives us a


From Bangalore’s parks to the Indian team: Vijay Bharadwaj unpluggedFrom Bangalore’s parks to the Indian team: Vijay Bharadwaj unplugged

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A big moment for us at 81allout as we have an international cricketer on our podcast for the first time. Vijay Bharadwaj played 3 Tests and 10 ODIs for India in the turn of the millennium. His high-point was during the LG Cup in Nairobi in 1999-2000, where he was


‘Every generation needs its writers to tell its stories’‘Every generation needs its writers to tell its stories’

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In this special episode, we chat with veteran sports writer Sharda Ugra. From interviewing star cricketers as a college student… to blazing a trail as a sports journalist in the early ’90s… to writing on a variety of sports for The Hindu… to being the chief sports writer at India


Street cricket chronicles: tip-top, connection, and taking panga in Delhi

Street cricket chronicles: tip-top, connection, and taking panga in DelhiStreet cricket chronicles: tip-top, connection, and taking panga in Delhi

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We are happy to kickstart a new series: street cricket chronicles. Here we hope to bring out the cricket culture in different cities at the most amateur levels: whether it is on the streets, in the gullies and driveways and terraces, on beaches, or in the parks. In this episode


Watching, studying, writing, talent-spotting: a life in cricketWatching, studying, writing, talent-spotting: a life in cricket

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In this special episode, we chat with veteran cricket journalist and author Makarand Waingankar. Over the last five decades, Makarand has been witness to the changing tides in Indian cricket. He has written extensively about the game – from the maidans as well as the giant stadiums – and carries


Swinging to victory: New Zealand v India series review

Swinging to victory: New Zealand v India series reviewSwinging to victory: New Zealand v India series review

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We review New Zealand’s series win against India in the recently concluded series. Talking Points: How NZ winning Tests within three or four days is bad financial news for their board. Were the pitches too green or green enough? When extra pace perhaps worked against India’s fast bowlers. The swing