81 All Out

Our special guest this week is Nishant Arora who, over two decades, has worked in multiple capacities within cricket – as a TV journalist, a player agent, a media manager with the BCCI, and a digital producer with ICC. We speak to Nishant about his career that has spanned over two decades and delight in some of his anecdotes from behind the scenes.  Talking Points: Playing junior cricket with Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh Big-hitting Yuvraj losing SG balls at the world's most elevated cricket stadium Yuvraj scoring 358 in a match when the opponents scored 357 Harbhajan Singh's emotional day after taking India's first hat-trick in Kolkata The challenge for Nishant to separate his journalism and friendships The rare Dhoni interview in Islamabad Visiting Virender Sehwag's house and getting him to talk about his 155 in Chennai The challenges of interviewing Sourav Ganguly When Yuvraj's cancer was kept top secret The breakdown in the player-journalist relationship Why Ashish Nehra

We discuss the third Test between India and England in Chennai Talking Points: Where did this pitch stand in the Premadasa-Sabina scale? The importance of consistent bounce in the ICC evaluation system England's misreading of the pitch and the selection of one specialist spinner Don't India have enough of an all-round bowling strength to not rely on turners? Rohit Sharma's ability to adjust to all formats The technique of playing spin - and what made Root, Foakes, Rohit and Kohli stand out Ashwin's off-break that looks like a straighter one - thanks to the remarkable drift Axar Patel's surreal start to his Test career Axar's ability to adapt his game to the conditions Memories of the Mumbai Test in 2004 - when Murali Kartik won India a low-scoring thriller The high-quality umpiring in the Test - and the performative challenge for third umpires The Joe Root DRS reversal - and what it captured about umpires' call Click here to support 81allout on Ko-Fi Participants: Kartikeya Date (@cricketing

Our special guest this week is Osman Samiuddin, a senior editor at ESPNcricinfo and author of The Unquiet Ones: A History of Pakistan Cricket. One of the finest contemporary cricket writers, Osman has had a ring-side view of the triumphs and disappointments of Pakistan cricket over the last two decades. His match reports, profiles, and long-form features contain both a depth of research and originality of style – as well as a sense of timelessness that make them both a work of journalism as well as a draft of history. Talking Points: The impact of The Cricketer Magazine in Pakistan Falling in love with Pakistan cricket in the 1990s The tumultuous years in Pakistan cricket: 2006 to 2010 Fazal Mahmood's crazy confidence Imran Khan's influence on fast bowling - the seminal spell in Sydney in 1977 Javed Miandad and the quest for Izzat Wasim Akram - the hero and a cricket writer's ideal Participants: Osman Samiuddin (@osmansamiuddin); Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Related: Pakistan's quicks

We discuss the second Test between India and England in Chennai Talking Points: Was there anything at all wrong with the pitch? How Rohit Sharma tackled the tricky surface England's rotation policy - and would they have followed this during the Ashes? R Ashwin's glorious home Test in front of an adoring crowd Does Ashwin the bowler have the equivalent of 47 Test centuries? Ashwin's ability to do what he decides to do Ben Foakes' technique against spin on a turning track Rishabh Pant's improvement behind the stumps Kohli's skillful sequence – 74, 72, and 62 The Rahane review - and England subsequently being handed back their review The consistently good home umpiring during the Covid months Is Anderson the Karunanidhi of cricket? Or the Tom Brady of cricket? Participants: Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Ashoka (@ABVan) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Related: When Cook and Co. did the unthinkable - 81allout podcast on the 2012-13 India v England series Th

Click here to support 81allout on Ko-Fi In this episode, we look back to England's tour to India in 2012-13. England had not won a series in India since 1984-85 and they began the tour as underdogs - especially after a heavy defeat in the first Test in Ahmedabad. The turnaround began in Mumbai – thanks to some splendid spin bowling followed by hundreds from Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen – and England went on to defy expectations in the final two Tests. Talking Points: England's tours to UAE and Sri Lanka before the India series Kevin Pietersen's "reintegration" into the side Monty Panesar not playing in the first Test in Ahmedabad Sehwag's hundred, Pujara's double-hundred The Cook-Prior rearguard in the second innings Panesar's ball to Tendulkar on day one in Mumbai Pujara's masterful innings against spin Pietersen brutal hitting and the shock in the stands Tendulkar's innings on day one in Kolkata James Anderson's spell of reverse-swing The Cook marathon – with support from Trot

Dear Listener, This website began as a blog where Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) and I exchanged leisurely thoughts on Test cricket. When I suggested the name 81allout, Mahesh had said: “Can’t get a more symbolic name for a suicidal mission. Love it." Soon we branched out into podcasting, inviting others to exchange their cricketing stories and perspectives. From the outset, the plan for the podcast was to recreate the mood outside a tea-shop. We felt serious cricket outlets often take themselves too seriously while the irreverent observers don't take cricket seriously enough. We wanted to find a middle ground, and are thankful for your continued feedback. Over the last two-and-a-half years, this endeavour has run purely on passion. Now we are ready to take an upward step. We thought of approaching advertisers. We contemplated bringing on a sponsor. We considered various other options. But none of those ideas inspired as much confidence as you. You understand how much the game means to us. We hope you can

We preview the upcoming India v England Test series which comes on the back of an epic series win for India in Australia, and a very impressive win for England in Sri Lanka. While the teams prepare for fresh challenges in Chennai and Ahmedabad, they still have to contend with bio-bubbles, quarantines, injuries, and player rotation. Talking Points Context of the India-England rivalry over the years The difference between perception of England's performances in India vs their relatively impressive record Covid impact on the series - bubbles, scheduling, grounds, player fitness Unknowns around the pitches. Just two Tests in Chennai in the last decade. Revamped Motera. England's choice to rotate and rest players for a key series - what message does it convey and how could it affect the quality of their cricket? How much should one read into England's 2-0 win in Sri Lanka? How hard will it be for for India - both physically and mentally - to move on from such an epic series win in Australia? Ashwin'

In this special episode of the 81allout podcast, we chat with journalist and author Bharat Sundaresan on his experiences of covering India's recent tour to Australia. Bharat is a cricket reporter at cricbuzz.com and is the author of The Dhoni Touch: Unravelling the Enigma that is MS Dhoni Talking points: Covering a Test series in COVID times Driving from one Australian state to the other, avoiding borders The uncertainty over the venues and itinerary Wearing masks in the press box A distracted press box as India collapsed for 36 in Adelaide The spate of injuries during the tour A relatively muted Boxing Day Ashwin's spell in Melbourne Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy Mohammad Siraj improving with every spell in Melbourne Siraj reporting poor crowd behavior Australia constantly threatening to break away... until India kept fighting back The net session when Pant talked to his bruised arm The Ravi Shastri effect on the youngster in the team Ashwin's innings in the battling draw in Sy

We discuss the final day of the fourth Test in Brisbane, where India did the improbable. Talking Points: Excuse me, what did we just see? India's greatest series win? Teams getting ambitious with fourth-innings chases The value - and strategic brilliance – of Pujara's innings Gill and Pant in their audacious element The Washington Sundar cameo Starc's off day and below par series Why isn't Lyon held to the same standard as other great spinners? How a great series lives on in the memory Participants: Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Ashoka (@ABVan) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Related: A tragicomedy called 36 all out – 81allout podcast The Melbourne bounceback – 81allout podcast The victorious draw in Sydney - 81allout podcast The Melbourne Miracle of 1981 – 81allout podcast EPIC - Kartikeya Date Bharat Arun interview - ESPNcricinfo Australia's fury dashed against India's butterfly effect - Gideon Haigh, The Australian Gill, Pujara, Pant showcase India's battin

We discuss the third Test in Sydney, where India held on for a valiant draw. Talking Points: When a draw was like a win Steve Smith resumes normal service The versatile Mr Jadeja Rohit and Gill - partners in promise India's decision to pick Pant despite his wicketkeeping problems Is one allowed to get run-out in Test cricket? Pant's sizzling 97 on day five Ashwin and Vihari and the show of defiance Can India find 11 fit men for Brisbane? Participants: Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Ashoka (@ABVan) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Related: A tragicomedy called 36 all out – 81allout podcast The Melbourne bounceback - 81allout podcast The Melbourne Miracle of 1981 – 81allout podcast The draw that meant so much more - Siddhartha Vaidyanathan, 81allout.com Pujara's triumph: cricket, lovely cricket - Kartikeya Date Bruised and abused, Indians make their own luck at the SCG - Sidharth Monga, ESPNcricinfo Rishabh Pant's keeping - Ben Jones, cricviz.com * Lead image from

We discuss India's memorable eight-wicket win in Melbourne and place it in context of some of the famous Indian victories in Australia. Talking Points: Placing the victory in context Parallels with Melbourne '81 Rahane's touch Ashwin's immaculate control Bumrah's skid and the ball to hoodwink Smith Gill v Shaw, Pant v Saha Siraj's debut Looking ahead to Sydney Participants: Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Ashoka (@ABVan) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Related: A tragicomedy called 36 all out - 81allout podcast The Melbourne Miracle of 1981 - 81allout podcast Ashwin, Bumrah bowl India to MCG victory - Kartikeya Date Ravi Shastri: India's triumph one of the great comebacks in Test history - Sidharth Monga, ESPNcricinfo 'No spinner has done that to me in my career' - Steve Smith on R Ashwin Tactical tweaks, delightful drift - Amit Gupta on R Ashwin, Scroll.in Saini and Siraj better placed than their predecessors - Varun Shetty, ESPNcricinfo

We process India's 36 all out in the Adelaide Test. Was it a tragedy? Or a dark comedy? Is it even something that can be explained? Talking Points: The visceral shock that accompanies a rapid collapse Pain, grief, and decades-long hurt How does the emotional reaction to 36 all out compare with 81all out? The deadly duo of Cummins and Hazlewood How cricketing narratives are so batsmen-focused The role of luck in every single cricketing event The great Indian heartbreaks from years past Chennai '99, Kolkata '99, Barbados '97 The discourse that accompanies a batting collapse - and how it has changed over time The urge to find a scapegoat Participants: Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Ashoka (@ABVan) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Related: Australia's perfect storm catches India in the wrong place at the wrong time - Sidharth Monga - ESPNcricinfo Collapso relapso - Tom Eaton - ESPNcricinfo archive Outliers - Kartikeya Date A classic '90s heartbreak - 81allout po

We preview the upcoming Australia v India Test series, which has seen more headlines about bio-bubbles, quarantine, and player absences than the great rivalry between these two teams. Talking Points: Impact of Kohli's partial absence for both commerce and cricket. How badly would India miss Ishant Sharma? India's choice of third seamer. The permutations and combinations for both playing XIs in each Test. Pattinson's workload and case for him to play at MCG. Lyon's effectiveness against India. Could this be the breakthrough series for Shubman Gill? Eminence of Steve Smith. A January Test at Gabba. Saha vs Pant. The never ending Shaun Marsh comebacks. Quality of Bumrah-Shami. Jaywant Lele's legendary prediction. Participants: Rav (@rav_man0) Ananthasubramanian (@_chinmusic) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd)

In this episode, we look back to India’s tour of Australia in 1980-81. India went into the Test series against a strong Australian team after playing merely one Test since the end of the home series against Pakistan in 1979-80. India suffered a thumping loss by an innings at Sydney, just about squeezed out a draw at Adelaide, and registered a miraculous win in Melbourne – overcoming a massive first-innings deficit, a near-forfeiture by their captain, and injuries to three of the four bowlers in their attack. Talking Points: Greg Chappell’s serene double hundred Vengsarkar’s rough start to his Test career Lillee playing against India for the first time The allure of Pascoe’s pace and the charm of Kim Hughes Sandeep Patil’s sparkling 174 at Adelaide Gavaskar’s near-forfeiture and Wing Commander Durani’s timely intervention Viswanath’s priceless hundred Ghavri’s “rank long hop” Doshi’s marathon spell in the first innings and bowling through pain in the second Kapil’s miraculous spell powered by painkillers Parti

In this episode, we chat with journalist, blogger, author, podcaster, vlogger – or in short, the Mark Waugh of cricket coverage – Jarrod Kimber. We focus on a piece Jarrod wrote last year titled 'The Ugly Australian: the evolution of a cricket species'. He talks about his formative experiences with sledging and hyper-aggression at the club level and how his views on behavior and moral codes have changed over time. No other team treats cricket as a team sport like Australia does, says Jarrod, but they also stretch the limits of what team-mates must do. Talking Points: The island that is Australian cricket - with moral codes and 'good bloke, bad bloke' conventions that combine into the 'Australian Way' Club cricket in Australia in the 1980s and 1990s - when the game was sometimes a violent, contact sport The atmosphere at Australian cricket grounds in the pre-2000s The culture of Australian cricket that built up to Sandpapergate The two sides to Allan Border's legendary quip to Dean Jones in the f

In this episode of the 81allout podcast, we zero in on the cliche that makes an appearance in all sporting contests: the moments that mattered. We discuss how for fans some moments take on more significance than others, why writers need to guard against falling into narrative traps, and how the struggling media ecosystem is fertile ground for turning cricketing stories into those of heroism and villainy. We also discuss how one approaches writing about selection, and predict what sportswriting might look like five or ten years down the line. Participants: Sidharth Monga, assistant editor, ESPNcricinfo Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Related pieces: Against narratives - Kartikeya Date What's the story, Morning Glory - 81allout podcast Rahul Tewatia and the romance of the struggle - Sidharth Monga Who removed my spinner - Sidharth Monga The mother of all myths - Tom Eaton, The Cricket Monthly Why there is no such thing as a finisher in ODI cricket - by Kartikeya Date Clock tic

We are thrilled to be joined by two former India cricketers - Hemang Badani and Vijay Bharadwaj. Hemang and Vijay enjoyed stupendous domestic careers and took part in some of the most memorable Tamil Nadu - Karnataka contests in the Ranji Trophy. There was no shortage of banter and competition when we paired them up for this podcast. Talking points: Their first memories of playing against their arch-rivals The day when Karthik Jeshwant told Vijay Bharadwaj about the importance of scoring against Tamil Nadu The Ranji final in 1996 - when Karnataka piled on a mammoth score (as Hemang watched from the stands) A match in RSI grounds in 2001 when matters got heated and the players nearly came to blows The never-ending batathon at Tirunelveli in 1998 The constant threat of D Vasu in these contests Dodda Ganesh and David Johnson: never short of fire in the belly The Cauvery politics and how it affected the players How Karnataka players benefited from playing league cricket in Chennai and much more

In this special episode of the 81allout podcast, we chat with the photographer Mala Mukerjee on her historic photo from the tied Test in Madras in 1986. Ms Mukerjee watched the last day of that famous Test from the stands in Chepauk and, while anticipating a thrilling finish, clicked a number of photos that captured the dramatic finish. The most famous of those was the shot she clicked at the very end of the match. Ms Mukerjee has gone on to become an internationally renowned photographer and has held several exhibitions around the world. Her many accolades and awards include honors from the Photographic Resource Centre in Boston, the Academy of Visual Media in New Delhi, and the Bangladesh Photographic Society. You can view her work here. Talking points: Memories of the final day from Chepauk in 1986 The circumstances that helped her be at the right place at the right time The tension enveloping the ground in the final overs The challenges posed by the fading light The final ball and the historic click

The purple patch of Ben Stokes has provoked a lot of discussion about the greatest allrounders. We take a deep-dive to talk about the role of allrounders in Test cricket, the great allrounders over the years, and how to make sense of their immense contributions. Our guests for the episode are Arj and Rav. They have recently started a cricket project called CricVestigate which aspires to uncover hidden cricket truths - past and present, and to provide alternative opinions and analysis. Talking points: What is a good definition for an allrounder? The allrounder index created by CricVestigate to rank the allrounders Batting allrounders vs Bowling allrounders Great cricketer vs Great allrounder The pitfalls of the allrounder obsession and its impact on team balance Narrative fallacies around allrounders - mixing formats, aggregate career stats vs peak phase stats Is it possible to nurture an allrounder? Do the different skills of an allrounder necessarily add value to the team? Are wicketkeeper-batsmen allrounder

Street cricket chronicles moves to Tamil Nadu and we were delighted to be joined by Tamil Nadu's promising wicketkeeper batsman Narayan Jagadeesan to talk about playing amateur cricket in his formative years in Coimbatore and the influence of tennis ball cricket on some of the TN legends. We also bring plenty of color from the street cricket culture in Chennai. Jagadeesan opens up about his journey from Coimbatore to the Tamil Nadu Ranji side, playing alongside TN legends, being part of the CSK squad, and about working with Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni. Talking points: The hierarchy of balls: Rubber, Cork, Rubber-Cork, Tennis - Mercury > Cosco, Leather First world problem of poor outfield in Coimbatore vs no field in Chennai The legend who may or may not have taught L Balaji on how to grip a cricket ball Boost-Bournvita bat, maavu bat, oil bat, oil sheet bat, modus operandi of seasoning the bats Different dynamics of sodukku ball in Tennis ball vs Cricket ball Transitioning from Tennis ball to professional