81 All Out - A Cricket Podcast

In our latest episode we are pleased to put out a random podcast on random cricketing memories. Highlights: When Gavaskar and Dravid sported moustaches When Nayan Mongia wore a yellow helmet When Phil Tufnell went after Richard Blakey When Tim Zoehrer showed his backside When Tony Greig and Harsha Bhogle used Pythogoras Theorem to explain cricketing matters When the sun stopped play in Chennai Etc Participants: K Balakumar (@kbalakumar) Sriram Venkateswaran (@sriram140) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Related: The truth about Nayan Mongia- Rahul Bhattacharya Zoehrer scotches sacking claims Sehwag: the last Samurai- Siddhartha Vaidyanathan Mark Waugh's six over Vettori in Perth- Youtube video Ball from Mushtaq Ahmed goes between off and middle stump- Youtube video

We review India's thumping win against West Indies in the recently concluded two-Test series. Talking Points: Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari bolstering the Indian middle order. India's superlative bowling performance in the two Tests Shannon Gabriel's under-par performance Jasprit Bumrah's magic balls The decision to pick Jadeja over Ashwin The marvel that is Kemar Roach Participants: Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Ashoka Rao (@abvan) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Related: Jasprit Bumrah: India's golden goose- Subash Jayaraman KL Rahul grapples with tweaked technique- Karthik Krishnaswamy Hanuma Vihari: a chip off Dravid-Laxman block- Sandip G

In this episode of the 81allout podcast, we dive headfirst into the banal talking points that dominate our sports related conversations, how they propagate, and the deleterious impact these narratives can have on the popular discourse. We also discuss the need for data transparency and how to use the data into defensible, digestible narratives that truly inform avid viewers of the sport. Is this a niche or a basic need? Would love to hear what our listeners think! Participants: Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Related pieces: Should you teach your kids to bat like Steve Smith- Hussain and Sangakkara discuss on Sky Sports Pujara swears by his survival guide- by Karthik Krishnaswamy Shiv on the shore- by Rahul Bhattacharya Why there is no such thing as a finisher in ODI cricket- by Kartikeya Date The mother of all myths- Tom Eaton on South Africa's choking narrative

In the latest episode of the 81allout podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Trinidad-based writer, editor, and historian Vaneisa Baksh. We talk to Vaneisa about her experiences of writing about cricket in the Caribbean, the rampant sexism she had to battle early in her career, her research on the life and career of Sir Frank Worrell, and how West Indies have taken to T20s like a duck to water.  Also featuring: Vaneisa's ten-year fight to become a member of the Queens Park Cricket Club, and the enduring legacy of CLR James. Participants: Vaneisa Baksh Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) Some of Vaneisa's pieces: Christopher Henry Gayle. What can I say?  Inside sexism Darren Sammy, WICB slayer? West Indies' mentorship problem Worrell becomes captain Take one for the team The shoulders of a captain

We preview the upcoming Test series on India's tour of West Indies which marks the debut for both teams in the newly conceptualized World Test Championship Talking Points: We meditate on the point and pointlessness of the World Test Championship. Talk (a lot) about the impact of Dukes ball on the dynamics of the series. Discuss India's dilemma of choosing between a 5th bowler and a 6th batsman. Can Ashwin get his mojo back as a batsman? Can the potent West Indies pace attack of Gabriel-Roach-Holder pounce on a vulnerable Indian batting line up? We also ponder over the possibility of West Indies playing Rahkeem Cornwall for both cricketing and non-cricketing reasons. And just how good is Jason Holder? Participants: Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Ashoka Rao (@abvan) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

In the latest 81allout podcast we look back at India's tour of West Indies in 1996-97. A mostly soporific series came to life for four days in Barbados, and handed the '90s generation of Indian cricket fans a heartbreak of such epic proportions that many have still not stopped thinking about it.  We talk about the lasting pain of cricket losses, the dramatic deterioration of the Barbados pitch, the no-ball (non) calls, the first hundred partnership between Dravid and Sachin in Tests, Sidhu's crawl to a double-hundred, the two unlikely all-time greats to rise from the shadows of Sachin and Lara, and the impact of this series loss on Sachin's captaincy legacy. Also included: Karnataka domination of the Indian squad, Walsh's run out of Sachin, Chanderpaul bowling legspin from round the wicket, and spicy tidbits from R. Mohan's match reports. Participants: Mahesh Sethuraman (@cornerd) Krishna Murali (@mkrishna23) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

In the latest edition of the 81allout podcast we discuss the application of Law 19.8 at the World Cup final at Lord's. We go on to debate the distinction between cricket laws and societal laws; the idea of "spirit of cricket" and its relationship to the laws of the game; and the authority of umpires as more technology becomes part of decision making. Participants: Suhrith Parthasarathy (@suhrith) Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Subash Jayaraman (@cricketcouch)

We review the World Cup final from the English perspective: the impact of such a monumental game on cricket in England, the role of Free-to-Air TV, significance of Jofra Archer bowling the Super Over, and New Zealand's misfortune of not winning the trophy even though scores were level (twice).  Participants: Daniel Norcross (@norcrosscricket) Chris Smith (@chirsps01) Subash Jayaraman (@cricketcouch)

We review England's tie against New Zealand at the World Cup final at Lord's. We review the tie in the Super over. We also review the bizarre rule that handed England the trophy. In short: we review one of the maddest games of one-day cricket.  Talking points: England's lucky breaks, Williamson's choice of Boult for the 50th over, and all the drama off the very last ball.  * Participants: Subash Jayaraman (@cricketcouch) Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

We review New Zealand's win over India in the first World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford. Talking points: Jadeja's blinder, Dhoni's elimination of risk, and New Zealand winning a game of inches.  * Participants: Mithun Subramanian (@smithun0) Subash Jayaraman (@cricketcouch) Ashoka (@ABVan) Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)