
SBS has today released the first episode of its new podcast Colours of Cricket. This new English language audio series offers a unique South Asian perspective on cricket in Australia, sharing how a love of cricket has brought communities together and could play an important role in breaking down racial and social barriers.
Over eight episodes, hosts Preeti Jabbal and Kulasegaram Sanchayan look at how players from the subcontinent are keeping cricket alive at the grassroots level and how despite underrepresentation at the elite level, they are emerging as the future of the game.
Launching Colours of Cricket at SBS's Melbourne studios, cricket legend and former Indian captain Kapil Dev reflected on how the sport offers a sense of belonging in Australia, especially to South Asian migrants.
People that come from any part of the world can represent Australia. I feel proud, cricket offers unity for those who come to Australia to set up a new life. I think Colours of Cricket is wonderful, what you, [the SBS teams] are doing, I have no words to express.
The podcast explores the untold stories of the South Asian connection with Australian cricket over the past 150 years and celebrates the changing colours of cricket in Australia. It also looks at the rising popularity of women's cricket and tackles difficult issues like racism and infamous incidents on the field.
In an interview for the podcast, Australian test cricketer Usman Khawaja said It was tough at times going up through the ranks. I did stand out. I was Pakistani, I was a brown-skinned boy in a very white country which was good and bad. If I did something good I stand out, but if things didnt work out I also stand out.
Featuring interviews with current and former international cricketers including Kapil Dev, Usman Khawaja, Sunil Gavaskar, Lisa Sthalekar, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Alana King, Ijaz Ahmed and Gurinder Sandhu - as well as subcontinental fans, sports commentators, historians and community cricketers, the series captures a wide range of perspectives and voices.
Former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar emphasised the role the Indian cricket team plays in promoting cricket in Australia cannot be underestimated.
When the Indian mens side comes out, Cricket Australia fills their coffers and theyre able to funnel money back down into grassroots cricket, which is really important. And then as fans, whenever India plays, they all come out in their droves and they show the Australian public how to support a team, how to get behind them, how to enjoy a day of cricket.
A collaboration between several of SBS's language programs - SBS Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Nepali, Punjabi, Sinhala, Tamil, and Urdu along with advisor, cricket writer Patrick Skene - the series brings surprising new perspectives on how relations between Australia and the Indian subcontinent have evolved through cricket and how cricket helps these growing migrant communities feel at home.
The first episode Why are South Asian players underrepresented in Australian cricket?' is now available at www.sbs.com.au/coloursofcricket, in the SBS Radio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and other podcast apps.
New episodes in the eight-part series will be released weekly in the lead up to the ICC Mens T20 World Cup in October 2022.
Ends.
For a PDF version of this media release, click here.
More from SBS Broadcast
07/05/2025
SBS and NITV mark National Reconciliation Week with compelling premieres recogni...
07/05/2025
SBS commences search for a new Western Sydney production hub location
7 May, 2025
Media releases
SBS has today launched a Request for Expressions of Intere...
02/05/2025
SBS On Demand achieves stellar month on the back of Alone Australia and The Hand...
30/04/2025
Slam poet Huda the Goddess wins 2025 Les Murray Award
30 April, 2025
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Huda Fadlelmawla...
30/04/2025
SBS, NITV and NIDA partner to empower the next generation of screen creatives
30 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and ...
23/04/2025
We heard that you could use a little pick-me-up, so get ready to sh-sh-shake it ...
22/04/2025
McAvaney takes the lead for SBS' Coverage of the World Athletics Championshi...
16/04/2025
Finalists announced! Five stand-out brands shortlisted for SBS Media's Susta...
15/04/2025
Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith join in the adventure of a lif...
15/04/2025
SBS and Volleyball World sign landmark deal for Beach Volleyball World Champions...
14/04/2025
SBS becomes first Australian broadcaster to have near-and long-term carbon reduc...
11/04/2025
Isn't that Insightful? Kumi Taguchi dives deeper into Insight's taboo to...
09/04/2025
SBS On Demand partners with Euronews to extend network news offering
9 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offering with the...
09/04/2025
SBS announces TV's hottest new couple, Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act, as E...
07/04/2025
Olympic Gold medallist and World Time Trial Champion Grace Brown joins SBS comme...
07/04/2025
Female focus: New season of Living Black highlights women in Federal Election ye...
07/04/2025
SBS News' Cost of Living Secrets podcast returns to tackle one of the key is...
04/04/2025
SBS announces initiatives to provide all Australians with trusted news and infor...
31/03/2025
Ready, set, Party Time!' SBS News empowers young voters with a new politica...
28/03/2025
Marion Grasby's Flavours of Heart & Home is a celebration of culture and fam...
28/03/2025
SBS delivers Federal Election news to Australians in over 60 languages
28 March, 2025
Media releases
As Australia heads to the polls on 3 May, Australia...
26/03/2025
The Secret DNA of Us premieres 17 April
20 March, 2025
Media releases
Family secrets, royal relationships and hidden histories revealed What would you disc...
19/03/2025
NITV and Cricket Australia elevate First Nations sport with National Indigenous ...
19/03/2025
Yumi Stynes wants older women to be SEEN' as SBS podcast returns
19 March, 2025
Media releases
Feminist icon Yumi Stynes shines a spotlight on trailbl...
09/03/2025
No more Monday morning blues for football fans as Major League Soccer comes to S...
05/03/2025
SBS marks 50 years of sharing culture and knowledge with all Australians this Ra...
04/03/2025
SBS seeks risk-taking and boundary-breaking ideas for its next factual hit with ...
28/02/2025
Marlee Silva reveals how we can make our nation safer for women through Australi...
26/02/2025
Global viral pop sensation Go-Jo to represent Australia at this year's Eurov...
24/02/2025
Adam Liaw delivers all new dishes and chat to help you reach culinary greatness ...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
13/02/2025
SBS Media sustainability challenge open for applications
13 February, 2025
Media releases
The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising ...
13/02/2025
Love at First Bite? SBS podcast - Should You Really Eat That? returns
13 February, 2025
Media releases
Join food writer Lee Tran Lam for another epic cul...
12/02/2025
Meet the Cast of Alone Australia Season 3
12 February, 2025
Media releases
Wilder, tougher and more extreme than ever
Alone Australia is back for an epic ...
11/02/2025
In 2025 Australia's most trusted news brand celebrates 50 years with bold st...
11/02/2025
NITV's flagship footy show Over the Black Dot returns Tuesday 4 March from L...
10/02/2025
New series Memory Bites with Matt Moran stirs up nostalgia with a taste of the p...
05/02/2025
Screen legend Jacki Weaver tears back the curtain on Australia's most outrag...
03/02/2025
SBS boosts commitment to Indigenous leadership and innovation with Executive tea...
29/01/2025
SBS Learn shares the Year of the Snake with classrooms this Lunar New Year
29 January, 2025
Media releases
SBS Learn is celebrating Lunar New Year, providi...
24/01/2025
SBS welcomes Lunar New Year with vibrant content showcasing festivity, flavour a...
22/01/2025
The boys are back! Smash-hit series Rogue Heroes returns for an adrenaline-fuell...
13/01/2025
Nominations open for the Australia for UNHCR - SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee ...
13/12/2024
Screen Australia, ABC and NITV announce proper love up short film initative
12 December, 2024
Media releases
Thursday 12 December 2024: Screen Australia...
13/12/2024
Statement on the appointment of Dr Nicholas Pappas AM to the SBS Board
14 December, 2024
Media releases
The SBS Board and Executive have welcomed the appoi...
11/12/2024
Celebrate truth, knowledge and cultures with Always Was, Always Will Be this Jan...
09/12/2024
Bold factual series lead the charge for SBS nominations at the 2025 AACTA Awards
7 December, 2024
Media releases
Plus, NITV children's programs and div...
05/12/2024
Statement regarding commentary team for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
4 December, 2024
Media releases
Eurovision's Next Verse: Myf and Joel bid fare...
05/12/2024
SBS elevates the diversity of Australia across its commissioned programs, achiev...
04/12/2024
A celebration of culture, community and connection Island Echoes with Nornie B...