Off Camera Stories ft. @Vimalwa | @sadhikasehgal | Vimal Kumar Podcast | Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit

In this exclusive episode of Men’s Locker Room, we sit down with renowned cricket journalist Vimal Kumar, who has spent years covering the game from the inside. From intense rivalries to locker room secrets and the shifting priorities of modern cricketers, this episode is a must-watch for every cricket fan.

Vimal Kumar opens up about his journey with our host Sadhika Sehgal and why he chose YouTube over TV, revealing how cricket fans recognize him even in other countries. He also takes us behind the scenes of the BGT series in Australia, explaining why it was one of the most complicated tours and why Australians have immense respect for Team India. Speaking of Team India, what are the players really like when the cameras are off? Vimal shares exclusive BTS moments and his candid conversation with Gautam Gambhir during the tour.

One of the biggest shocks in recent cricket history was Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement. Did Vimal see it coming? He reveals a personal message Ashwin sent him and discusses why Ashwin remains one of the most down-to-earth players. But was Rohit Sharma not playing the 5th test equally unplanned?

The conversation takes an interesting turn when Vimal reveals about Suryakumar Yadav’s main reason for exclusion from the Champions Trophy. Vimal also questions why England and Australia’s team selections are more transparent compared to India’s.

Sunil Gavaskar’s opinion on Rishabh Pant sparked debate—was Pant really irresponsible, or is he actually the most selfless cricketer in the Indian squad? Vimal Kumar breaks down both sides of the argument.

The episode wouldn’t be complete without discussing Virat Kohli’s struggles, his misunderstood personality, and why he remains one of the most respectful cricketers in the world. Vimal also sheds light on Shubman Gill’s journey, the Punjab IPL team’s mismanagement, and why Rishabh Pant could be a great future captain.

But the real emotional core of the episode lies in Vimal Kumar’s deep connection with MS Dhoni. He shares a heartwarming story about Dhoni’s humility, explaining why Dhoni never liked fame and always kept his promises. Vimal even recalls a moment when Dhoni gave him a promise so valuable that he wouldn’t trade it even for ₹1 crore. From Dhoni’s reserved personality to the impact he left on Indian cricket, this episode captures the true greatness of "Thala."

This episode is packed with cricketing insights, unheard stories, and exclusive revelations that every cricket lover needs to hear.

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Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - Why did Vimal Kumar choose YouTube over TV?
04:31 - The toughest India-Australia series, what made it so intense?
06:31 - BTS of the Indian Cricket Team
07:39 - Gautam Gambhir’s unfiltered take during the Australia series!
10:29 - Ashwin’s retirement, was it really unexpected?
15:19 - Was Rohit Sharma not playing the 5th test equally unplanned?
20:05 - Suryakumar Yadav’s shocking Champions Trophy snub!
22:56 - What makes Rohit Sharma India’s most loved captain?
25:06 - Was Sunil Gavaskar right about Rishabh Pant?
29:13 - Why Anil Kumble refused to give Vimal an interview?
35:14 - Does Vimal agree with the Champions Trophy squad?
37:03 - Why Gautam Gambhir didn’t want Shubman Gill as vice-captain?
38:32 - Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Shubman Gill, who deserves the spot?
40:43 - The struggles of Virat Kohli, why format matters?
41:18 - Are cricketers unhappy with BCCI’s new rules?
46:33 - Why is Vimal a die-hard Dhoni fan?
48:08 - Why is Dhoni so reserved?
56:32 - How Dhoni played a key role in Vimal’s book on Sachin!
1:02:37 - What happened when Vimal asked Dhon for his book launch?
1:11:51 - Why could Rishabh Pant be a great leader?
1:14:03 - Punjab IPL team’s mismanagement, what’s going wrong?
1:15:20 - Is Virat Kohli misunderstood?
1:19:47 - Why is Viv Richards the King, not Kohli?
1:22:29 - No one can be like Sachin Tendulkar
1:25:55 - Is Prithvi Shaw’s career going to be like that of a Vinod Kambli?


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