The Inner Athlete

It’s been IPL’s worst week off the field. And things aren’t looking great on it either.Riyan Parag caught vaping an illegal substance in the dressing room — fined just 25% of his match fee. Dead pitches turning bowlers into sidekicks. Delhi Capitals scoring 264 then bowled out for 75. And Abhishek Porel — a 150 strike rate player — warming the bench while KL Rahul keeps wickets.Ronald Chettiar joins us for IPL’s most uncomfortable episode yet. And the concerns go beyond the IPL itself — all the way to India’s T20 World Cup in Australia.In this episode we cover:😤 Riyan Parag vaping scandal — 25% fine for an ILLEGAL substance, what a joke🏛️ IPL governance crisis — no commissioner, no technical director, cutting corners📺 Lalit Modi was right — ICC panel umpires, IMG operations, no cost cutting on a Ferrari❌ Abhishek Porel benched for KL Rahul — the most criminal tactical error of the season🧤 Poor fielding — the real reason explained (it’s not the players’ fault)🏆 Top 4 update — Rajasthan, Punjab, RCB and Sunrisers looking good🤔 Will IPL be a feeder system for India’s T20 team? The honest answer

What is the real secret behind IPL's greatest franchises?It's not the superstars. It's not the auction budget. It's the COACH-CAPTAIN COMBINATION. Ronald Chettiar joins us for one of the most research-backed IPL episodes we've done, a deep dive into the coach-captain combos that built CSK, Mumbai Indians and RCB into legacy teams. And what needs to change for each of them now.

Mumbai Indians have lost 5 of 7. Akash Ambani left the stadium halfway. Bumrah has 2 wickets in 7 matches. And Hardik Pandya's captaincy is going nowhere. But wait — was bringing Hardik in and removing Rohit actually the right call?Ronald Chettiar joins us for the most honest mid-season IPL breakdown yet — and the ideas he puts forward are genuinely radical.In this episode we cover: Mumbai Indians in crisis — Akash Ambani leaves, 5 losses in 7 matches🤔 Was removing Rohit Sharma as captain actually a mistake?💪 Hardik Pandya — 70% win rate at Gujarat, the 100 crore transfer fee story👑 Virat Kohli at 37 — mental grit, awareness & why he's still different⚡ RCB — Andy Flower, Patidar and why they're challenging Punjab Kings now🌟 Shreyas Iyer India captaincy — why Punjab Kings will be VERY nervous📺 Who should replace Hardik at Mumbai Indians — the options analyzed🎬 Dhoni = Rajnikanth analogy — the most entertaining comparison of the season 😂Subscribe for more unfiltered IPL analysis on Inner Athlete!

Two IPL teams sold for record billions. Media rights facing a $1.75 billion loss. And the bold suggestion that BCCI should broadcast cricket itself.Roland Landers — one of India's most respected sports business minds — is back on Inner Athlete for the most comprehensive Indian sports business conversation we've had.

Match fixing murmurs. Mumbai Indians in freefall. KKR almost out. And Lalit Modi making more sense than anyone in Indian cricket administration.Sameer Pai is back for another unfiltered IPL mid-season deep dive — and this one pulls absolutely no punches.

Behind every great Indian cricketer is a story that starts on the Mumbai Maidan.Today on Inner Athlete, we sit down with Toz Rizvi — sports journalist, cricketer, Mumbai cricket chronicler and the man who covered every great batting record from the Mumbai school circuit. 23 years in sports journalism. A passionate voice for grassroot cricket like no other.

Over two weeks of IPL 2026 action done. Time for the most honest mid-season breakdown you'll find anywhere.Sameer Pai joins us for a deep, unfiltered dive into everything that's happened — the stunning performances, the struggling franchises, the emerging stars and the big calls that coaches and franchises are getting wrong.

"I'm not asking you to sell me a McDonald's burger while I'm watching the game. Sell me a decent glass of water."K Shriniwas Rao is back on Inner Athlete and this time he holds absolutely nothing back. One of India's most respected cricket journalists and sports business minds delivers his most comprehensive assessment yet of where Indian cricket, IPL and the BCCI are getting it fundamentally wrong.In this episode we cover:🏏 BCCI is back to square one — the brutal honest assessment🎯 The auction vs draft debate — KSR's definitive take📊 The bucketing of cricket rights — tests, ODIs and T20s sold separately🌍 Why bilateral cricket will take a massive jolt🏆 Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings — the ownership model debate👩 Preity Zinta — the most clued-in franchise owner in IPL🎭 Going to Imran Khan's house in Lahore, spending time with Shane Warne & sitting with Viv Richards🏏 Syed Mushtaq Ali as IPL's feeder system — the blueprint📖 The Time Shield opportunity — Mumbai's forgotten cricket treasure🔔

Sports journalism is undergoing a massive shift.Traditional media is losing control of the narrative.Social media creators and independent voices are filling the gap.The question is no longer who has access,but who tells the best story.

What is the real X factor behind IPL's explosive growth? Why are teams losing 650 crores a year, and still buying in? And is Mumbai Indians really as invincible as everyone thinks?In this episode, Sameer Pai joins us for the most comprehensive IPL business and analysis breakdown you'll find anywhere — going deep on the numbers, the history, the franchises and the future.

What does it take to interview Sachin Tendulkar as a trainee journalist?How do you get 90 seconds with Mike Tyson?And what happens when you cold-call Imran Khan at home?Today on Inner Athlete, we sit down with one of India's finest sports writers — Akshay Sawai. Former sports editor at Open Magazine, senior journalist at Midday and ET Panache, and a man who has covered sport across continents with rare depth and flair.

IPL 2026 is here — and this season is different.It comes on the heels of a T20 World Cup, with redemption arcs, new captains, superstar coaches and youngsters ready to take over. We break it ALL down — unfiltered.In this episode, Sameer Pai joins us for a complete IPL 2026 season analysis covering:🏏 Dhoni's real role at CSK — mentor, not player🔥 Kohli & RCB — pressure-free or under pressure?💪 Hardik Pandya — why he should already be India's white ball captain📊 The Triangle Theory — Coach + Captain + Player Role = Team Success🌟 Shreyas Iyer — India's next T20 captain?📍 Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Verma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi — the youngsters taking over🧩 KKR's chaos — injuries, Shreyas Iyer exit & Abhishek Nair in the hot seat🏆 Blast from the Past — Best players, captains, spinners, pacers across 18 IPL seasons

He was in Canada in 1999. He played a sport he'd never heard of. And when he came back to India — he forgot about it.Until 2006, when a single coaching instruction brought it all back.Today, Sunil Vallabhalkar is the man who introduced Pickleball to India — and the sport is growing at 300% per year.In this episode, we talk about:🏓 How pickleball started & came to India🏢 Why corporate entity structure (Section 8) is the key to building a sport💼 Entrepreneurial opportunities — courts, coaching, equipment, sports tourism👩 Why pickleball is the most feminist sport in India🎓 Career options for youth through pickleball coaching🇮🇳 Pan-India growth — from Mumbai to Gadchiroli

The Indian Premier League is one of the biggest sports leagues in the world today.But very few people know the real story behind its creation.This video reveals how three key figures:• Subhash Chandra (ICL founder)• Jagmohan Dalmiya (BCCI powerhouse)• Lalit Modi (IPL architect)shaped the future of Indian cricket.The rise of the Indian Cricket League forced the BCCI to rethink its strategy — leading to the birth of IPL.This is not just cricket history — this is sports business at its finest.

Indian cricket history is filled with legendary personalities and incredible stories.From Sunil Gavaskar, who changed the mindset of Indian cricket, to Kapil Dev, who revolutionized fast bowling in India, and Sachin Tendulkar, who became the face of Indian cricket for an entire generation.This podcast explores fascinating stories including:• The inspiring journey of Yuvraj Singh• The determination of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi• The rise of Mumbai cricket• The dominance of legends like Rahul Dravid, Viv Richards, and Allan BorderIt also dives deep into the evolution of Indian cricket and how the sport became a national obsession.If you love cricket history, legends, and untold stories — this episode is for you.👤 FOLLOW OUR GUEST: Devendra (Dev) PrabhudesaiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/devendraprabhudesai_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devprabhudesaiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devendraprabhudesai/X: https://x.com/filmycricketer🔔 FOLLOW THE INNER ATHLETEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinnerathlete.in/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586273643699X (Twitter): https://x.com/InnerAthlete_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirpai11/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInner_AthleteWe’re always looking for insightful voices from the world of sport.If you know someone whose story or expertise deserves a platform on The Inner Athlete, recommend them here:👉 Google Form Link : https://forms.gle/aArYuQujuXDG9kCn8Your recommendation could spark our next impactful conversation.Sport has the power to shape individuals, communities, and nations — but only when we understand it deeply.Thank you for being part of The Inner Athlete journey.Stay curious. Stay active. Keep training your inner athlete.🎙️ See you in the next episode.🏷️ TagsT20 World Cup 2026India vs Pakistan analysisBumrah vs Wasim AkramAustralia T20 failureAssociate nations cricketNepal cricket riseItaly cricketT20 data analytics#bcci #indiancricket #yuvrajsingh #cricket #crickethistory

What really happened when the Board of Control for Cricket in India took over women’s cricket in 2006?Why were some officials against it?What was it like working closely with Mahendra Singh Dhoni during India’s most iconic era?In this episode:• BCCI internal resistance• Women’s cricket transformation• Managing cricket legends• Inside Wankhede Stadium museum tour• Mumbai cricket legacyThis is Indian cricket beyond the boundary.

The T20 World Cup enters the business end — where boys are separated from men.In this episode with Arya Khandelwal we break down:🏏 Associate nations revolution – Italy & Nepal🔥 India vs Pakistan: Match or mismatch?📊 Data vs natural talent in modern T20👑 The rise of Hardik Pandya as India’s premier all-rounder🎯 Why Jasprit Bumrah is India’s biggest match-winner💥 Australia’s tactical failure📈 Pakistan’s spin advantage in slow conditions🎯 Semi-final predictions:India • South Africa • New Zealand • Pakistan

This episode is a masterclass in sports business.From IPL valuations to esports growth, from Dubai as a cricket frontier to the 2030 Commonwealth Games impact — we break it all down with veteran sports executive Roland Landers.Key Topics Covered:🏏 IPL financial modeling & revenue correction📉 Why broadcast rights valuations may see correction🌍 Should BCCI expand operations to Dubai?🎮 Esports growth in India (Quarter billion industry & rising)🏟 Commonwealth Games 2030 & infrastructure ripple effect💼 CSR funding in sports📺 OTT platforms & future of domestic cricket⚽ Global sporting moments that shaped historyThis conversation dives deep into:✔ Sports entrepreneurship✔ League expansion models✔ Private ownership economics✔ Esports as a sunrise industry✔ Domestic cricket restructuring✔ Corporate investment in sportsIf you're a sports management student, entrepreneur, investor, or simply a serious sports fan — this episode is for you.

A billion-plus fans.A defending champion India.Geopolitics in the background.ICC structure controversy.And a T20 format that has evolved beyond recognition.In this T20 World Cup special episode, The Inner Athlete brings you differentiated content based on two O’s — Observation & Opinion.We break down:India’s dominance in white-ball cricketPakistan & Bangladesh geopolitical tensionsICC’s flawed pre-seeding structureWhy 20 teams may not be idealIs T20 becoming bigger than IPL?Are Sachin & Kohli suited for modern T20?Fantasy cricket & the shift from sit-back to sit-up viewingDark horses: Afghanistan, New Zealand & EnglandStock market analogy of cricket teams (Blue chip to penny stock!)Fun rapid-fire: Best T20 player everThis isn’t just a preview.This is context, structure, history & future — all in one conversation.👇 Comment your Top 3 contenders for the T20 World Cup.

Indian badminton didn’t rise overnight.From Prakash Nath’s heartbreaking All England final in 1947, to Saina Nehwal’s relentless mental discipline, to the historic Thomas Cup victory — this is the real story of Indian badminton.In this episode of The Inner Athlete, we sit down with Abhijit Kulkarni, sports journalist, mentor, and author of The Gopichand Factor, to decode:• How Saina Nehwal and Pullela Gopichand formed a “match made in heaven”• Why Indian badminton lost champions before professionalism arrived• The mental framework behind elite performance• The untapped commercial potential of badminton in India• Why leagues fail but legacy tournaments matter• How grassroots funding can change lives• Why sport is more than medals — it’s social transformationThis is not just a badminton conversation.It’s about systems, mindset, leadership, and legacy.📘 Book discussed: The Gopichand Factor📍 Guest: Abhijit Kulkarni👤 FOLLOW OUR GUEST: Abhijeet KulkarniX: https://x.com/abk6580?s=11&t=bPrhrNkEpZB9aCa0shOT5QFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abhijeet.kulkarni.167LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhijeet-kulkarni-b064225a?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios🔔 FOLLOW THE INNER ATHLETEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinnerathlete.in/X (Twitter): https://x.com/InnerAthlete_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirpai11/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInner_AthleteWe’re always looking for insightful voices from the world of sport.If you know someone whose story or expertise deserves a platform on The Inner Athlete, recommend them here:👉 Google Form Link : https://forms.gle/aArYuQujuXDG9kCn8Your recommendation could spark our next impactful conversation.Sport has the power to shape individuals, communities, and nations — but only when we understand it deeply.Thank you for being part of The Inner Athlete journey.Stay curious. Stay active. Keep training your inner athlete.🎙️ See you in the next episode.

In this episode of The Inner Athlete, Samir Pai is joined by Isha for an honest, thought-provoking conversation on fitness, motivation, gyms, sports, and human behaviour. The discussion explores why gyms often fail to retain people, the role dopamine plays in motivation, how sports naturally encourage consistency, and why fitness is deeply psychological before it is physical. From resistance training to recreational sport, this episode breaks common myths and offers a fresh, relatable perspective on how people actually engage with fitness in real life.The Inner Athlete is a podcast that goes beyond scores, trophies, and aesthetics to explore the business, management, psychology, culture, and everyday realities of sport and fitness. Hosted by sports analyst Samir Pai, the podcast features conversations with athletes, professionals, thinkers, and practitioners who help decode how sport truly shapes individuals and societies.Subscribe to The Inner Athlete for in-depth conversations on sport, fitness, performance, and the evolving sports ecosystem.Your support helps us bring smarter, more meaningful sports conversations to the forefront.