Simran Gupta: Today, I am joined by Mr Nishant Dayal, the founder of Midwicket Stories (MWS). MWS has built a distinct identity in cricket content. What gap did you see in the market when you started, and how does it compare with today?
Nishant Dayal: There was a huge gap. People wanted to hear stories directly from the players themselves, and we felt that the players should come and talk about their experiences, share stories from their era and recount personal anecdotes. Today, when these players come and speak on stage, it becomes a truly special experience for everyone who attends.
Simran Gupta: Was there a moment when you realised that this could become a full-fledged business rather than just a project?
Nishant Dayal: It was just after we recorded the first episode featuring Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. That’s when we realised that we could build a property around it. Today, it has become an intellectual property that is growing steadily and reaching new audiences.
Simran Gupta: What was the biggest challenge in the early days that audiences may not know about?
Nishant Dayal: We recorded the first episode during the World Cup. Thereafter, whenever a major series was taking place, we would organise interviews around that series. It became a three-dimensional experience – people could come to watch cricket, enjoy the atmosphere and attend MWS at the same time.
Simran Gupta: Many platforms focus on scores and results, but MWS goes a step further by highlighting personal stories. Looking ahead, is there anything new you would like to incorporate?
Nishant Dayal: MWS is about players sharing their personal stories. That’s one aspect of it. For the first time, we are focusing on autobiographical narratives. For example, when Gavaskar comes on stage in Mumbai, he talks about his early years, his cricketing career and his life after cricket. When you hear these stories directly from the player, they become real gems.
Simran Gupta: Cricket journalism is evolving rapidly, with short-form content becoming increasingly popular. How has that affected your approach to storytelling?
Nishant Dayal: My storytelling is centred around personal experiences and moments. Journalists often report on what has happened, but that is usually second-hand information. What we present is entirely first-hand. Every story comes directly from the person who experienced it.
Simran Gupta: Is there a particular story or interview that has completely changed your perspective on cricket or sport?
Nishant Dayal: One example involves Gavaskar. During his playing days, he never wore a helmet and instead used a skull cap. A neurosurgeon later explained that if a player had been struck on the head while wearing only a skull cap, the consequences could have been fatal. What is remarkable is that Gavaskar never knew this during his career and continued playing with complete faith that the skull cap would protect him. It is not just a fascinating story; it is also a valuable lesson.
Simran Gupta: Lastly, if MWS were to be remembered for one thing ten years from now, what would you like that to be?
Nishant Dayal: We want MWS to evolve continuously. If we only focus on legends such as Gavaskar, Border or Harbhajan Singh, we will eventually reach a limit. In the future, content could feature someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi speaking with a Pakistani cricketer, creating conversations that have never happened before. We will continue to innovate, introduce new ideas and make the experience engaging for everyone who attends.
Simran Gupta: Thank you, Mr Nishant, for joining us.
The post Inside the Rise of Midwicket Stories and Its Unique Cricket Formula appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
