Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

About Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

A podcast started by a cricket fanatic for anyone who is even remotely interested in Cricket and for the fans who ardently follow this beautiful game. I intend to talk all about cricket and keep you posted for some fresh perspectives and content. Follow us on Instagram and Threads @neveronthebackfoot and @neverontheback1 on Twitter too!

Publisher

Neha Shetty

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Jun 2020

Latest episode

9 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

374 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Aug 2026

   354. Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka & West Indies: T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign Review

   The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has delivered another fascinating chapter in women's cricket, and in Episode 354 Never on the Backfoot, we shift our focus to four teams that each had vastly different journeys—Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Janani of Sportsy Mathsy Tales joins in yet again as we assess South Africa's impressive run to yet another ICC semi-final, the impact of Laura Wolvaardt's captaincy, and whether the Proteas are edging closer to breaking their World Cup hoodoo. We also discuss West Indies' return to the knockout stages under Hayley Matthews, the players who stepped up alongside their captain, and what ultimately separated them from the eventual finalists. The conversation also turns to Pakistan's campaign under Fatima Sana, where we analyse the positives, the batting concerns, standout performers and whether this tournament showed genuine signs of progress. Meanwhile, we unpack Sri Lanka's inconsistent campaign, Chamari Athapaththu's leadership, the team's over-reliance on experienced stars, and the lessons they must take forward. From captaincy calls and tactical decisions to standout performances, memorable matches, batting and bowling reviews, and the biggest learnings from each campaign, this episode offers a comprehensive look at where these four teams stand as they begin building towards the next ICC event.

2. 

   1 Aug 2026

   353. England, Netherlands, Ireland & Scotland: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Campaigns Under The Microscope

   The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 wasn't just about the finalists; it was also a tournament of home hopes, historic milestones, emerging Associate nations, and valuable lessons for teams at different stages of their journey. In Episode 353 of Never on the Backfoot, we review the campaigns of England, the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland, four teams whose World Cups told vastly different stories. We begin with hosts England, who reached the final under Nat Sciver-Brunt but ultimately fell short against a dominant Australian side. We discuss whether reaching the final represents progress, the performances that defined their campaign, the impact of home conditions, and what England must do to bridge the gap to the world's best. We then turn our attention to the Netherlands, whose maiden Women's T20 World Cup appearance was about far more than simply participating. We explore how the Dutch proved they belonged on the biggest stage, the players who caught the eye, and what this experience means for the future of women's cricket in the Netherlands. Ireland's campaign produced a landmark moment with their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup victory, while also showcasing a young side capable of competing against Full Member nations. We analyse the positives, the areas that still need work, and why regular international cricket will be crucial to their continued growth. Finally, we look at Scotland, another team that created history with a memorable World Cup win and demonstrated that Associate nations are becoming increasingly competitive. From Kathryn Bryce's inspirational leadership to the team's encouraging performances, we discuss why Scotland leaves the tournament with genuine optimism for the future.

3. 

   28 Jul 2026

   352. Breaking Down Three Campaigns: Australia, Bangladesh & New Zealand @ The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

   In Episode 352 of Never on the Backfoot, we shift our focus to three fascinating campaigns—Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand, each of which offered a very different story. Australia once again proved why they remain the gold standard in women's cricket, successfully ushering in a new era under Sophie Molineux while claiming a record-extending seventh T20 World Cup title. We discuss the seamless transition in leadership, the depth of their squad, Beth Mooney's remarkable consistency, and whether this team has already laid the foundation for another period of dominance. We then turn our attention to Bangladesh, a side that showed encouraging signs despite another early exit. From the continued rise of Marufa Akter to the promise of their spin attack, we explore the positives, the persistent batting challenges, and what Bangladesh need to bridge the gap with the world's leading teams. Finally, we analyse New Zealand's disappointing title defence. After lifting the trophy in 2024, the White Ferns struggled to replicate that success, prompting important conversations around batting inconsistency, leadership, succession planning, and the end of a golden generation, with stalwarts Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu bidding farewell to international cricket. Join us as we unpack the biggest talking points, standout performers, defining moments, key tactical lessons and what lies ahead for each of these teams as the next ICC cycle begins.

Who has been a guest on Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ricky Simms
• Akshay
• Vijay Lokapally
• My Mom
• Soorya Sesha

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

83 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

84

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Never on the Backfoot: A Podcast