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🔔