Wisden Cricket Weekly A chat with Mo Bobat: Inside the mind of an IPL winner
Jan 20, 2026
Mo Bobat, the Director of Cricket at London Spirit and former Performance Director for England, shares insights into the world of cricket franchise strategy. He discusses the intricacies of talent identification, using Jacob Bethell as a case study. Mo elaborates on the challenges of recruitment, balancing team dynamics, and the importance of systemic improvements within cricket. He also reflects on his tenure with the ECB and emphasizes his vision for success in short-format competitions. Get a glimpse into the mind of a cricket innovator!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Franchise Role Is The Central Connector
- Franchise directors must hold continuity across transient squads and competitions.
- Mo Bobat says that role ties together budgets, staff, playing identity and auction prep.
Manage Pre-Signing Budgets Carefully
- Track budgets tightly when pre-signing; pre-signings reduce auction capacity.
- Bobat notes London Spirit used most of their men's and women's allocation before the auction.
Build Teams By Roles, Not Stars
- Start squad building from an analytic view of how to win, not from names.
- Mo Bobat advises to prioritise identity, role structure and supply-demand before targeting players.