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Description

This is a podcast where Dhiman Sarkar and Vivek Krishnan of the Hindustan Times sports desk talk about the beautiful game. From transfers to tournaments, their discussions will cover what matters in football, in India and abroad. So, join them every week on Kicks For Free, if football is a matter of life and death -- or more -- for you. This is a Hindustan Times production brought to you by HT Smartcast.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Kicks for Free podcast

Red cards, Mohun Bagan's march and more

2023/09/28

The first week of ISL10 is behind us and Bengaluru FC began the second with two red cards. Will Mohun Bagan, Odisha FC and Mumbai City pull away from the rest? Will East Bengal be among the top six? Here's what we think.

That night in Munich and other Champions League games

2023/09/21

Seven goals between former champions Manchester United and Bayern Munich was the highlight of the opening fixtures but don't tell Ivan Provedel that.

Looking at Asian Games and a new ISL season

2023/09/14

With preparation that could be a study in contrasts, clubs and country get down to business next week. With colleague Aditya Chaturvedi as guest, we talk about the teams, how the Asian Games was the elephant in the room in ISL's media days and more.

Talk about transfers

2023/09/08

From Bellingham to Bonucci, from Chelsea's splurge to City's conservatism, from Saudi Pro League to Alessia Russo and Ona Batlle, we look at the big moves of the summer window.

The last Asian Games gold, after 61 years.

2023/08/31

September 4, 1962, was when India, led by Chuni Goswami, won the Asian Games gold. We take a look back, hand held by football statistician Gautam Ray who relives those days with a meticulous eye for detail.

The Women's World Cup: a first-hand account

2023/08/25

Belgian journalist Samindra Kunti was in Australia and New Zealand reporting on his second World Cup in less than one year. Hear from him about the month-long competition, the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Women's World Cup final: Our preview

2023/08/17

England and Spain, Sarina Wiegman and Jorge Vilda, countries and coaches, will meet on Sunday for their first shot to be on top of the world. What will it be? A humdinger? A nervy, narrow win? HT's Dhiman Sarkar & Vivek Krishnan discuss in this episode of the weekly football podcast Kicks for Free.

It's kick-off in Europe

2023/08/10

Another season starts in Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1. Will it be the same old same old with Manchester City dominating or will there be new winners? Will Arsenal finish the unfinished business of last time? Will Mbappe stay at PSG? Will Neymar Jr? We don't have the answers but that doesn't stop us from discussing the questions.

The Sunil Chhetri Interview

2023/08/02

On his birthday, the India and Bengaluru FC captain talks about the biggest change in his life and of the challenges on the pitch in a season that has the Asian Games, Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers, Indian Super League and the Federation Cup.

Anecdotes from the Durand Cup

2023/07/27

Once a tournament synonymous with Delhi, one for which the capital would wait all year, this is now a competition that starts the Indian season. One which has a home in Kolkata. Through Jaydeep Basu, who has been following Durand Cup much before he began writing on football, we go back in time. The 132nd Durand Cup starts on August 3.

Women's World Cup preview: From Megan to Marta, Sinclair to Sam and everything else

2023/07/19

In this episode of the weekly football podcast Kicks for Free, hosts Dhiman Sarkar and Vivek Krishnan talk about what we can expect from the ninth edition in Australia and New Zealand, the first with 32 teams.

Saudi Arabia and China are like chalk and cheese: Simon Chadwick

2023/06/30

In this episode, Simon Chadwick, professor of sport and geopolitical economy at the SKEMA Business School, explains why the boom in the Saudi Pro League is unlikely to go the way of the Chinese Super League. Chadwick also speaks on whether the influx will help the Saudi Arabia men's national team and give the women's game a fillip.