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.

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

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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.

Tim Wigmore, Deputy Cricket Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, is a highly celebrated English journalist and author.

He has co-authored several best-selling cricket books, including Cricket 2.0, which was Wisden’s book of the year in 2020.

Tim joined us on our podcast to talk about the state of cricket in general and English cricket in particular, how he hones his craft, and his process for writing books alone or with a collaborator.

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

Finn Bradshaw, the ICC’s Head of Digital, has one of the most high impact jobs in all of cricket.

He oversees the ICC’s massive social channels, website and digital platforms, and reports directly to the ICC’s CEO. So he’s perfectly positioned to help grow the sport’s global audience and revenues.

And fortunately for the cricket world, Finn and his team are extremely passionate about what they do.

Watch our in-depth conversation with Finn that covers a variety of topics such as:

In this conversation, Finn discusses:

- the pivotal role of digital strategy in enhancing cricket's global reach and engagement.

- the ICC's digital initiatives, including social media strategies, content creation, and the importance - of connecting with diverse audiences, particularly in promoting women's cricket

- the evolution of cricket broadcasting

- the impact of the T20 World Cup

- growth of cricket in the US.

- the crucial role of sponsors

We also discuss Finn's career journey from Cricket Australia to the ICC.

The discussion highlights the importance of digital media and journalism in engaging audiences and the innovative approaches taken by various organizations in the cricketing world.

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

Our special guest this episode is Dilip Vengsarkar – an Indian cricket legend in all aspects of the sport.

As a player, he was a central member of India’s fairy tale 1983 World Cup winning squad.

He was one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1987 and that year also became India’s captain.

After retiring he became an administrator and was BCCI’s Chairman of Selectors when India won the first T20 World Cup in 2007.

He also runs multiple academies where he’s constantly finding and training the stars of the future.

This titan of cricket sat down with us at the NCL tournament in Dallas, and shared his thoughts on what makes a good selector, his storied career, and so much more.

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

Lord’s Taverners is one of the most prominent cricket charities in the world.

Membership is by invitation only and the 5,000 members include prominent sports, entertainment and society figures such as Sir Michael Parkinson, Sir Alastair Cook, Sir Andrew Strauss, Greg James, Miles Jupp, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Jonathan Agnew and Mike Gatting. King Charles served as President in 1975.

Yet there is much more to the Taverners than a list of famous members.

On our episode, we’re joined by Chief Executive Mark Curtin and we delve into the history and the incredible work of the Lord’s Taverners.

Mark shares his insights on the charity’s mission to use cricket as a tool to empower disadvantaged and disabled young people across the UK.

We discuss:

• The history and core values of the Lord’s Taverners
• How the charity uses cricket to tackle social mobility and disability issues
• The impact of the Lord’s Taverners on young people’s lives
• Upcoming fundraising initiatives and how you can get involved
• International affiliates and membership

This episode is a must-listen for cricket fans passionate about giving back or anyone interested in the power of cricket – and sport in general – to create social change

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/

The MAX60 T10 tournament launched on Sunday, August 18 in the Cayman Islands featuring stars such as David Warner, Chris Lynn, and Thisara Perera. It’s the brainchild of Dario Barthley, cricket administrator and promoter in the West Indies, and CEO of BMP Sports, which owns MAX60.

Dario is best known throughout the cricketing world as the former Media Officer for the West Indies Men's Cricket Team. However, he also has extensive experience in running tournaments (Antigua’s long-running Cool & Smooth T20 tournament) and franchise teams (team manager in the CPL), which he leveraged into founding MAX60.

The MAX60 packs 25 games into eight days. Inaugural teams are T10 Abu Dhabi Champions New York Strikers, Caribbean Giants, Grand Cayman Stingrays, Boca Raton Trailblazers and Miami Lions.

Dario joined us on the Business of Cricket podcast to talk about the week-long MAX60 tournament, and the professional journey, unique to West Indies cricket, that got him there.

ABOUT CRICEXEC

Cricket’s only trade publication. We cover the industry off the field -- the people, organizations, and deals that drive the sport.

To read the latest industry news: https://www.cricexec.com

Subscribe to us on YouTube to get more great content!

Follow us on all other social platforms: @cricexec

Subscribe to our free "daily briefing" newsletter, delivered every weekday and read by top executives throughout the industry: https://www.cricexec.com/subscribe/