Podcast
Stumped
Hosted by BBC World Service · EN
The weekly cricket show from BBC Sport in association with ABC and Akashvani.
24episodes
Episodes
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Are Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru building an IPL dynasty?
1w ago00:39:06Tap to summarizeAlison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss whether Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are building an IPL dynasty after securing back-to-back titles. The president of France Cricket, Prebou Balane, joins us after 31 men and women connected with the development of the women’s game in France wrote an Open Letter calling for change.Plus, South Africa's Tazmin Brits reveals her Olympic dream ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup.Photo: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League (Credit: Reuters)
Transcribe →Afghanistan Women’s Refugee Team: What’s next?
2w ago00:35:59Tap to summarizeThe Afghanistan Women’s Refugee team are heading to England for a development tour during the Women’s World Cup. The England and Wales cricket board Deputy CEO and Managing Director of England Women, Clare Connor, tells Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma how the tour came about and discusses future funding of the team.With the start of the T20 World Cup just days away, the team hear more about the preparation of the host country, England. Captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, who’s been recovering from a calf injury in the build-up to the tournament, joins the show.Plus, have Surrey County Cricket Club found the perfect way to banish those summer workday blues? With the club pondering whether The Oval was the "best home office in the country", the team discuss which cricket ground could be the best home office away from home.Photo: Afghanistan Women's XI players huddle before the cricket match between Afghanistan Women's XI and Cricket Without Borders XI at Junction Oval in Melbourne on January 30, 2025. Hundreds of women athletes fled Afghanistan as the Taliban took over in August 2021, escaping a hardline stance that essentially banned women's sport and education. Most of the national women's cricket side settled as refugees in Australia, where they reunited for the first time to play a charity match in Melbourne. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)
Transcribe →Should India’s Virat Kohli have to prove his worth ahead of the World Cup?
3w ago00:39:17Tap to summarizeHas Virat Kohli earned the right to decide when he calls time on his international career? Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss whether the 37-year-old needs to prove his worth to India’s selectors ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Kohli recently suggested he may not play if he needs to prove himself.The Women’s T20 World Cup is just around the corner and will be bathed in orange, as the Netherlands make their tournament debut. Dutch captain Babette de Leede joins the show and explains how far the side have come since she made her international debut as a 14-year-old.Plus, we discuss the rise of the Tigers, as Bangladesh created history by sweeping Pakistan in consecutive Test series’.Photo: India's Virat Kohli reacts as he runs between the wickets during the third one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on January 18, 2026. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)
Transcribe →Should the Big Bash League follow The Hundred and allow IPL investment?
May 1400:37:52Tap to summarizeOn Stumped this week with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma we discuss if IPL investment could be coming to the Big Bash League? It’s an issue that has divided cricket in Australia, but Charu feels Indian investors may not jump at the chance of buying a stake in a franchise.What’s the point of one-off Test matches? We debate the pros and cons of short series after former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews blasted the potential idea of one-off Tests in the next series of the World Test Championship.And we hear from Brazil pacer Laura Cardoso, who stunned the cricket world with record-breaking T20 international figures of 9 for 4, the best ever in the format. Remarkably, Cardoso says she had no idea she’d made history.Photo: The Scorchers celebrate with the trophy after victory in the Men's Big Bash League Final match between the Perth Scorchers and the Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium on February 04, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Credit: Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Transcribe →Suzie Bates: The New Zealand great on her final T20 World Cup and retirement
May 700:36:36Tap to summarizeNew Zealand’s Suzie Bates will retire from international cricket after this summer’s Women's T20 World Cup. It marks the end of an illustrious 20-year career and many records to be proud of. Suzie tells the podcast it was a difficult decision but feels it’s the right time and believes the future is bright for the White Ferns with the next generation of players. Plus, Peshawar Zalmi beat Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets to win the 2026 PSL final in Lahore. Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie starred with bat and ball to register the franchise’s second title in nine years. Cricket broadcaster Zainab Abbas joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma to reflect on the tournament in the impact of Babar Azam. Photo: Suzie Bates of New Zealand reacts after the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final 2024 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)
Transcribe →What impact could England teen Tilly Corteen-Coleman make at T20 World Cup?
Apr 3000:38:15Tap to summarizeThe Women’s T20 World Cup starts in June and England have included uncapped 18-year-old left arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman in their squad. The teenager impressed in the recent intra-squad matches in South Africa. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss her selection ahead of the tournament. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive Venky Mysore says the new Olympic stadium in LA has the potential to host IPL exhibition matches. The venue, in the southern Californian city of Pomona, will become the home of the new franchise Los Angeles Knight Riders and will also host Major League Cricket matches. And we hear from award winning photographer Gareth Copley- Jones about his new book ‘A Picture of England’ where he’s followed the England men’s cricket team through his lens. Photo: Tilly Corteen-Coleman of Surrey poses for a portrait during the Surrey CCC photocall at The Kia Oval on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)
Transcribe →Could Test cricket become a squad game?
Apr 2300:40:34Tap to summarizeJust weeks after they were brought in, the new rules allowing replacement players in England's County Championship could be changed at the end of the first block of fixtures. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss how using substitutes in Australian, Indian and English domestic cricket is working and debate the merits of introducing them to international cricket. The team also reflect on Smriti Mandhana becoming India's highest run scorer in International T20s. Plus. we find out more about how the ICC is developing cricket across Europe. Esther de Lange, ICC European Development Officer, joins the team along with Scotland's Nayma Sheikh, who played in the recent ICC Europe XI v MCC at Lord’s. Photo: Jonny Bairstow of Yorkshire receives medical attention during Day Four of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match between Somerset and Yorkshire at The Cooper Associates County Ground on September 11, 2025 in Taunton, England (Credit: Getty Images)
Transcribe →Praful Hinge: Has the IPL discovered a new star?
Apr 1600:34:02Tap to summarizePraful Hinge made history on his debut by taking three wickets in his very first over. The seamers’ haul included dismissing teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a first-ball duck. Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta examine his impact in the league. It's a tradition dating back over 150 years: the latest edition of the little yellow book, the 2026 Wisden Almanack is out. Editor Lawrence Booth joins the team to discuss the five cricketers of the year. And with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup less than two months away, Australian selector Shawn Flegler admits Sophie Molineux's captaincy may need to be reconsidered if her injury problems continue. Photo: Sunrisers Hyderabad's Praful Hinge celebrates the wicket of Rajasthan Royals' Dhruv Jurel with teammates (Credit: REUTERS/Stringer)
Transcribe →South Africa's Wiaan Mulder on life at Essex, Lara's record and the impact player rule
Apr 900:35:50Tap to summarizeEssex and South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder talks about his life in the County Championship and shares his thoughts on the impact player rule in the Indian Premier League. Nikesh Rughani, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell also ask him about his famous 367 declaration to protect Brian Lara's 400 runs Test record. There's discussion on pace bowling as Bhuvneshwar Kumar made IPL history by becoming the first fast bowler to take 200 wickets in the competition and James Anderson reached a rare feat in the opening game of the County Championship. He got James Sales out in the opening game of the season, only 21 years ago, he also dismissed his father, David Sales. What's the secret to the pacer's longevity? And the team explores the relationship between cricket and poetry as they find out about the new book, Catching the Light – A New Anthology of Cricket Poetry, which is out this month. Photo: Wiaan Mulder of South Africa celebrates taking the wicket of Travis Head of Australia during day two of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 12, 2025 in London, England. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)
Transcribe →Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The teen sensation hitting the IPL for six
Apr 200:37:48Tap to summarizeRajasthan Royals' 15-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, continues to make a name for himself after hitting a 15-ball half century against the Chennai Super Kings - the third 50-plus score of his short IPL career so far. Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Sunil Gupta discuss the impact he's had in a short amount of time. While the IPL is ongoing, so is the PSL in neighbouring Pakistan. Australia's Adam Zampa opted out of the IPL and to play in PSL this season. The team examine whether others could follow the spinners lead.Plus, we head to the land of the rising sun, as the Japan Super League is growing in popularity. We hear from Alan Curr who is Chief Operating Officer for the Japan Cricket Association about the growth of the game in a nation better known for Sumo, cherry blossom and motorsport.Photo: Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi warms up before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 1, 2025. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)
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