Sports
News18 India launches Stump Mic cricket talk show
Light, fan-first chat and sharp takes air daily through T20 World Cup
NEW DELHI: With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warming up the cricketing calendar, News18 India is stepping up to the crease with Stump Mic, a new talk show that swaps heavy analysis for breezy, fan-first conversation. The programme went on air on 7 February and will run through the tournament.
Hosted by Anand Narasimhan, Stump Mic promises the sort of candid chatter usually heard only on the field, blending sharp opinions, match insights and offbeat stories from the cricketing circuit. The tone is light, the takes are frank, and the focus stays firmly on what fans want to hear.
The panel brings together familiar faces from across the cricketing world, including former India batter and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, ex-India fast bowler S Sreesanth, Indian pacer Umesh Yadav, former England spinner Monty Panesar and social media voice Yuvraj Dua. Adding a strong on-ground flavour, Vimal Kumar, better known as Vimalwa, joins the show with correspondents to deliver live updates, match-day atmosphere and fan reactions.
The show airs in two editions that bookend the day’s play. A pre-match segment from 3:50 pm to 4:50 pm sets the scene, while the post-match edition from 11 pm to midnight wraps up the action with analysis, reactions and standout moments.
True to its name, Stump Mic draws inspiration from the spontaneous exchanges picked up during live matches, mixing expert insight with easy banter and fan-centric moments. The show airs on India match days only on News18 India.
Sports
Gujarat Giants bring in the ‘Chanakya of Kabaddi’ to chase a PKL title
Randhir Singh Sehrawat, one of the most decorated coaches in the league’s history, takes charge ahead of the 2026 season
GUJARAT: Gujarat Giants mean business. Adani Sportsline has appointed Randhir Singh Sehrawat as head coach of the franchise ahead of the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season, bringing in one of the sport’s most experienced tactical minds to end the team’s wait for a championship.
Sehrawat is no stranger to the PKL. The Arjuna Award recipient has been associated with the league since its founding in 2014, and his credentials are formidable: a PKL title in Season 6 and six playoff appearances during his coaching career. Away from the franchise circuit, he also led the Indian Railways Kabaddi Team, steering both the men’s and women’s sides to multiple national championship titles.
As a player, Sehrawat represented India at the highest level, competing in the Asian Kabaddi Championship in 1988, the South Asian Games in 1989, and the 1990 Asian Games, where he served as vice-captain of the gold medal-winning Indian team.
Sehrawat was characteristically direct about his ambitions. “Gujarat Giants has a strong mix of young talent and experienced players, and I look forward to working with the team as we aim for the title,” he said.
Sanjay Adesara, chief business officer of Adani Sportsline, was equally bullish, saying Sehrawat’s “deep understanding of the sport will be invaluable in developing the squad.”
The bar is set by Dabang Delhi KC, who were crowned PKL Season 12 champions after a thrilling 31-28 victory over Puneri Paltan. It was their second title, with Fazel Atrachali cementing his place as the most successful foreigner in PKL history along the way.
The Chanakya has his assignment. Now he must deliver.
