In this episode of The Business of Cricket podcast by cricexec (episode 13), Ravichandran Ashwin sits down with cricexec’s Zee Zaidi for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond cricket.

Ashwin reflects on the role of failure in shaping success, sharing why setbacks — not achievements — have been the most important lessons of his career. He opens up about his early challenges, the influence of his father as a mentor, and how sport became a foundation for discipline, problem-solving, and personal growth.

The discussion explores themes that resonate equally in business and life — from sustained performance and passion-driven work to leadership, mentorship, and the importance of letting go. Ashwin also offers insight into his post-playing journey, including his role as an ambassador for the game, his approach to entrepreneurship, and why joy — not money — drives his decisions.

Blending personal stories with thoughtful perspective, this episode is a deep dive into mindset, resilience, and what it truly means to keep evolving — on and off the field.

Leadership in Cricket is the series of The Business of Cricket Podcast that talks to players and coaches the way you'd talk to any high-performance leader — because that's what they are. Each episode is an in-depth conversation with a current or recent international player, captain, or head coach, focused not on technique or tactics but on the leadership questions that sit underneath them: how to set culture in a dressing room, how to make decisions under enormous pressure, what failure has taught them, how they think about authority, accountability, and identity in a career measured in public. It's a sports leadership conversation built for an executive audience.

Boundaries North is one of the most innovative and exciting organizations in the cricket world today.

It’s a private company that formed a partnership with Cricket Canada in 2023 to monetize their full set of commercial rights – sponsorship, broadcast and merchandising.

In this week’s podcast we spoke to CEO Rahul Srinivasan: a former Canadian youth international cricketer who also worked in Canada’s professional rugby league solving similar problems.

Excited by the investment in cricket in the USA over the last few years, Srinivasan and his partners decided the same could be done for cricket in Canada.

Even though Boundaries North has only been active for 18 months, they’ve already put up some huge wins including major sponsorship deals for Cricket Canada with global brands such as Coke, TD, Nissan, and A&W.

But they’re doing a lot more than just monetizing rights – they’re helping drive infrastructure and grassroots development across Canada.

It’s an exciting conversation where Rahul talks about the specifics of Boundaries North’s business model, the details of its playbook, and their collective vision for the future of cricket.

For anyone who cares about Associate Cricket, or is interested in creative ways to grow the sport everywhere, this episode is a must watch.

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Cricket is a high pressure sport and environment. Fans don’t see it, but many cricketers experience anxiety, depression, stress and its side effects. Until recently, they mostly suffered in silence, but on a positive note, the culture has been changing.

On the first episode of our newly-launched business of cricket podcast, we wanted to focus on this critical issue. So our guest is Simon Cusden — a former England cricketer.

Cusden played for Kent County Cricket Club (2004-2006) and Derbyshire (2007), with a total of seven first-class and six List A matches. He represented England Under-19s in 2002-2003 and was the top wicket-taker against Bangladesh in 2004. Cusden, who battled addiction throughout his career, experienced a major mental health crisis after retiring, but got through it thanks to the cricket establishment.

With the backing of England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association (the PCA) as well as its charity for supporting former cricketers, the Professional Cricketers’ Trust (previously known as the PCA Benevolent Trust), Cusden went to rehab and recovered.

Now eight years sober, Simon is a coach who helps athletes as well as other professionals and executives functioning in high-pressure environments. He spoke to us about his own journey, as well as the evolving awareness about mental health issues in sports in general and cricket in particular.