a century of stories by IVM Podcasts

Mumbai is home to the world's second-largest concentration of Art Deco buildings - yet few people know how or why it happened.

In this episode of A Century of Stories: India, Kunal Vijayakar is joined by Ananth Rupanagudi to explore the story of the Bhor Ghat railway line - one of the most challenging engineering feats in India’s history. Built across the steep and unforgiving Western Ghats, this line connected Bombay to Pune, reshaping trade, travel and colonial governance.

For most Indians, the day begins with a cup of chai. But India’s relationship with tea and coffee has a far more fascinating history than we often realize.

Kabaddi has travelled a remarkable journey - from dusty village fields to packed stadiums, prime-time television, and a professional league that has transformed the sport in India.

What does the smell of rain have to do with a 3,000-year-old city on the banks of the Ganges? In this episode of A Century of Stories India, host Kunal Vijayakar sits down with Pranav Kapoor, 8th-generation perfumer and a trained chef from Kannauj, to explore Petrichor, the science behind scent and memory, and India’s ancient distillation techniques that predate modern perfumery.

The BCCI has grown from strength to strength in the past couple of decades to become the strongest cricketing board in the world, also aided by the riches brought to it by the success of the Indian Premier League. Writer and administrator Amrit Mathur, who was at the centre of it all in the ‘90s, tells the story of how BCCI moved from being on the periphery of the cricketing world to sitting on the throne in a matter of three decades in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup is upon us, and on this occasion we bring to you an episode on the storied history of this tournament that began with the idea of bringing the Asian cricket playing nations closer in the early 80s. While the tournament has had some great cricket over the years, it has also made news for reasons beyond the pitch. Amrit Mathur, who was once offered the role of the CEO of the governing body of this tournament takes us through the fascinating journey of Asia Cup on this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

A proper box-office cricketer who entertained with both bat and ball, Yuvraj Singh’s life and career also had all the ingredients of a blockbuster movie. His father’s obsession to make a cricketer out of him, the change he brought to the Indian team, his struggles to find a place in Tests despite obvious talent and his comeback after a battle with Cancer are some of the many chapters that make Yuvraj’s career so fascinating. Ace journalist Sharda Ugra, who co-authored a book with the cricketer after his comeback to the game in 2013, tells us the stories that made Yuvraj Singh the larger-than-life figure that he went on to become in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

We have all seen them on our screens, producing one superlative performance after another. But how are our favorite cricketers when the cricketing limelight isn’t on them? Journalist and TV host Gaurav Kalra who has worked in the television industry for decades talks candidly about the cricketers he had the opportunity to work closely with in his career in this special episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

In this episode of A Century of Stories, Kunal Vijayakar sits down with Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India, for a deep dive into the evolution of fashion — from red carpets to real life. Rochelle traces the biggest influences on Indian fashion, unpacks how today’s young generation's fashion reflects a world that’s constantly shifting and pulls back the curtain on the Met Gala.

Just a few months away from the Women’s 50-over World Cup at home, Team India has made a strong impression under Harmanpreet Kaur by winning a T20I and ODI series in England. The success of this team in the past few years is built on the groundwork laid by several generations of women cricketers who played the game for passion. Former team India Captain Anjum Chopra, whose 17-year long career for India began in 1995, tells us what all has changed in Indian women’s cricket in the past 25 years to bring it where it stands today in this special episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Did you know that dishes like butter chicken and bread halwa were born out of survival and displacement? Or that gurudwaras became lifelines, serving food and comfort to thousands rebuilding their lives after 1947?

The Kolkata Test of 2001 against Australia proved to be a major turning point in Indian cricket. And one man who will always be synonymous with that special Test is VVS Laxman who established himself as the batter who would produce the tough knocks for the team whenever needed, something he did admirably well over the next decade playing more than 100 Tests. Noted journalist Sharda Ugra looks back at the life and career of India’s crisis man in this special episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

What did Indians eat 200 years ago? Dive into the fascinating world of traditional Indian food history with Dr. Kurush Dalal, archaeologist and culinary anthropologist, as he joins Kunal Vijayakar on A Century of Stories.

As things heat up between India and hosts England in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025, we take a look at one of the most controversy-ridden India tours which almost caused a diplomatic row. Our guest Gaurav Kalra, who followed all the developments from close quarters as a journalist on that tour, tells us what all went down when India travelled Down Under in 2007-08 in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

The breakneck speed at which Indian cricket has moved in the last thirty years has meant that a lot around it has changed as well, and that includes its relationship with the media. Sharda Ugra, who has been writing about Indian cricket for the last 35 years, sheds light on how player-journalist relationships have changed in her time as a journalist in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Soon after winning his second ICC trophy as a captain in the form of the Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Tests. Having already retired from T20Is after winning the World Cup in 2024, Rohit will eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup as his swansong. India cricketer and former national selector, Jatin Paranjape, who saw the growth of Rohit Sharma’s cricketing journey from close quarters, talks about what made Rohit so special as a cricketer in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Rishabh Pant recently became the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit two centuries in a Test while his counterpart Jamie Smith blitzed his way to an 80-ball century in the following Test. South African wicket keeper Lhuan-dre Pretorious struck a sparkling century on Test debut. But things were quite different for wicket keepers for most part of cricket’s history. What changed three decades ago? And who were the men who ushered in this new era? Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta discusses the transformation of the role of wicket-keeper in this century in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank. 

The mighty West Indies ruled cricket for about 20 years and gave the world some of the best cricketers. However, the decline post 1995 has been equally spectacular, making many wonder what went so drastically wrong in a team full of champion cricketers. Our guest Shishir Hattangadi explains the reasons that led to the graph dipping for West Indies mid 1990s onwards in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

In this unique episode, Rajdeep Sardesai, a cricket tragic among many other things, takes us down the memory lane to talk about the cricketers who left a huge impression on him in his five decades of watching the game. Hear him passionately tell stories of how he fell in love with cricket because of some fine cricketers in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Team India starts its tour to England with a new captain and several fresh faces as four mainstays of the Test lineup in the last few years are no longer with the team. Former National Selector Jatin Paranjape shares his thoughts on how this transition has been handled by the management while also looking back at some of the major transitions the team has gone through in the last three decades in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

In this episode of A Century of Stories India, host Kunal Vijayakar interviews advertising titan Ambi Parameswaran on the evolution of Indian advertising. Discover how Indian advertising strategies turned from Western influenced sensibilities to Indian idioms and cultural narratives. As they built equity, brands and their advertising gave a voice and identity to generations of Indians, shaping and reflecting the transformation of the country.

A new chapter is set to be added to the India-England cricketing rivalry in the 21st century as the two teams lock horns in a five match Test series in England. Former Indian cricketer and commentator, Deep Dasgupta, who was part of the Indian side when they met England for the first time in this century in 2001-02, talks about that tense series and how the rivalry has grown stronger in the ensuing years in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Get ready to drool as we dive deep into India’s incredible world of sweets (mithai) — from temple prasads to Instagram-worthy experiments! Join Kunal Vijayakar and Shubhra Chatterjee (culinary researcher & filmmaker) as they unwrap the origins, flavors, and wild innovations of Indian desserts.

As a new-look Team India gets ready to take on England away from home, our guest Rajdeep Sardesai takes us back to 1971 when India registered their first series win over England. The year, however, began with another special series win in the West Indies, where a young Sunil Gavaskar combined with a veteran Dilip Sardesai to give India a new self-belief.

Dive into the fascinating history of Biryani in India with host Kunal Vijayakar and culinary expert Shubhra Chatterji in this episode of A Century of Stories: India.
We explore how this beloved dish traveled from the Persian courts to the Indian subcontinent, evolving into Hyderabadi, Kolkata, Lucknowi (Awadhi), and other iconic Biryani styles that continue to capture our hearts and palates.

The Indian Premier League expanded in 2022 to make it a 10 team tournament from the 8 team tournament that it was when it began in 2008. However, there have also been teams that once were part of this extravaganza but no longer are. Former Mumbai Captain Shishir Hattangadi who was the Director of Cricket of one such team in the inaugural edition recalls the journey of few such teams on this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Why did India’s biggest film industry take root in Mumbai? From the first silent film screenings to the dream factories of Girgaum, this episode of A Century of Stories: India, brought to you by IDFC First Bank, traces the fascinating story of how Bombay became Bollywood.
Join host Kunal Vijayakar in conversation with heritage expert Bharat Gothoskar as they explore:

Mumbai wasn’t always India’s financial powerhouse—but how did it get there? In this episode, Kunal Vijayar sits down with heritage expert and city chronicler  Bharat Godoskar to explore the fascinating journey of Mumbai, from its early colonial days to becoming the economic engine of India.

As the ongoing Indian Premier League edition moves towards its business end, we talk to noted cricket analyst Sankar Rajgopal to understand the impact of data and analysis on IPL teams’ pursuit to success. Sankar, who has worked previously with multiple IPL teams in the past, shares his insight on how analysis is shaping cricket’s future on this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

From the mid 90s to late 2000s, the Australian men’s team dominated both the formats of the game like only West Indies had done in their prime. But in their methods, they were different from the West Indies and won admirers and detractors aplenty. Watch Joy Bhattacharjya discuss the period of Aussie dominance with Cyrus in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

On 24th April, 1973 a boy was born in the Tendulkar household who changed the cricket world forever. Though he made his debut in 1989, it was in the 90s that Tendulkar ascended to a different plane altogether with his batting exploits. But the decade tested him as well with its share of injuries and multiple stints of captaincy that left much to be desired. Popular journalist Clayton Murzello talks about how Sachin Tendulkar went from savage to surgical, stamping his authority on the 90s in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

With the growth in the popularity of the tournament, the value of captaincy of an

While the Indian Premier League dominates headlines because of the superstars, the glitz and the glamour, the tournament also keeps churning out success stories of young cricketers coming from remote corners of the country. From Ashok Dinda to Vignesh Puthur, from R. Ashwin to Varun Chakaravarthy, the league has produced many heartwarming stories of success. Hear noted cricket journalist Shashank Kishore talk about the impact of the IPL on the dreams and ambitions of young Indian cricketers from all over the country in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

In the 18th year of the Indian Premier League, RCB remains one of the unique stories of the tournament. Despite its star power, it remains without a trophy and yet the franchise can also boast of one of the most passionate fan bases in the league. Writer Shashank Kishore, who hails from the Garden City, and is currently authoring a book on the franchise, shares untold stories about the team from the year it came into existence till now.

While the 1983 World Cup was the big turning point in Indian cricket, the win in

In the last decade, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri forged a strong Captain-Coach

When the league began in 2008, the presence of a galaxy of foreign stars turned heads. But despite their massive influence and success, the board has stuck to the four foreigners in an XI rule. While some foreign players have used the league as a launchpad for their careers, some big names have flopped as well.

While Pakistan’s first ICC tournament as hosts after 29 years winds up, we rewind to 1996 to the iconic Wills World Cup hosted by three subcontinent countries when Sri Lanka rewrote the ODI batting blueprint to stun the world under their talismanic skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

From waiting hours to load a single webpage to streaming movies in 4K, India has come a long way. In this special episode of A Century of Stories: India, Kunal Vijaykar sits down with comedian Kumar Varun and journalist Aastha Atray Banan to unpack the cultural evolution of India over the last 25 years.

A few months after reaching 500 Test wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin surprised many by announcing his retirement from international cricket. But his greatness was duly recognised recently as he was conferred with the Padma Shri honour by the Govt. of India soon after his retirement. Watch R. Sridhar, India’s fielding coach for 7 years, talk about the man Ravi Shastri dubbed as the ‘Ash-tronaut’ on this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Welcome to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Eight years after it was last held, the Champions Trophy makes a comeback with its latest edition to be hosted in Pakistan and the UAE. Join Cyrus and Ayaz Memon as they refresh some memories from a tournament that has often been called the Mini World Cup on this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Welcome to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

With Jasprit Bumrah sweeping the ICC awards after a terrific 2024, it was only fair that we discuss the pacer at length with a man who worked very closely with him and saw him develop into a world class talent. Watch Cyrus ask India’s ex-fielding coach R. Sridhar everything that you want to know  about the man the country has been calling a ‘national treasure’ on this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Welcome to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Just like every season, the IPL auction has set up this edition of the Indian Premier League as well. So, we take a closer look at the grand event with a man who has been there and done that.

Welcome to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

As another Indian men’s team coach finds himself navigating a tough first year in the much scrutinised position in Indian cricket, Cyrus gets Joy Bhattacharjya for a conversation about the men who have been in Gautam Gambhir’s shoes in the past and dealt with their own set of challenges and successes in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

As India prepares to celebrate the 76th Republic Day, we look back at the journey of Indian cricket from the Pre-Independence era to the events that shaped our destiny in the nation's early tryst with the colonial game.

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

As one of India’s most iconic cricket grounds completes 50 years, we take a look back at some of the historic matches and moments that make this ground so special in the story of Indian cricket.

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

As Rahul Dravid brings in his 52nd birthday on 11th January, we take a look back at the long and successful association he has had with Indian cricket as well as the man behind the accomplished cricketer. Watch Cyrus talk about an all-time great with Joy Bhattacharjya who has fond memories of the man and his career in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Before the runs, the records and the trophies, there was a shy yet confident curly-haired teenager who got the entire cricket world excited with his batting feats. But what made the young Sachin Tendulkar so precious? What did he do in his teenage years that ensured that the years that followed made him the greatest batter ever of his generation?

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With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy level at 1-1, both the teams move to Melbourne to play the Boxing Day Test. But why is the Boxing Day Test called so? And why does it always take place at the MCG? How often have India won at the MCG?

After winning only one match across the two World Cups in the 70s, India scripted a turnaround for the ages by winning the 1983 World Cup. But they didn’t stop there and went on to break the British monopoly on cricket’s premier tournament by bringing it to the sub-continent in 1987. In this episode, veteran journalist Ayaz Memon shares some unheard anecdotes from the two editions in the 80s.

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From being doubted by naysayers when it began to becoming the focus of all eyes by the end of the 1970s, the Cricket World Cup had quite a fascinating journey in its first few years of existence. They also brought us interesting characters and stories.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the sole governing body for cricket in India, overseeing all domestic and international operations, fixtures, and competitions. As the wealthiest cricket governing body in the world, the BCCI generates a staggering 85% of the revenue, underlining its financial dominance and crucial role in sustaining the sport globally. It attracts the world’s best players to the Indian Premier League (IPL), further ensuring its continued growth.

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Let's go back to the 1800s when the English started playing the game on the Indian subcontinent. It was the newly displaced Indian Royals who first took to cricket, as a proxy to their power struggle. This patronage then slowly extended from the Maharajas to skilled Indian commoners, ultimately growing the game in the country and revolutionizing this sport. 

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At just 21, he became India’s youngest-ever captain and changed Indian Cricket forever. This trailblazer is none other than, the iconic Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi – The Royal Tiger! 

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The Parsi community significantly contributed to Mumbai's status as India's financial and trading capital, but did you know they also played a key role in popularizing cricket in the country? Their involvement in the sport dates back to the 1840s, and by the early 1900s, when they were dominant in the Bombay cricket scene, with many Parsis representing the Indian national team. 

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Injuries are a cricketer's worst nightmare, especially when they jeopardize a career. Yet, history has shown us that some players, fueled by sheer grit and unwavering determination, have bravely taken the field despite the odds. With the support of their teammates, they've risked it all to fight for their team in crucial moments, turning potential despair into heroic comebacks.

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Get ready for yet another amazing episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket, presented by IDFC First Bank! Host Cyrus Broacha takes us through the enchanting history of brotherly duos in cricket. From legendary partnerships forged on the pitch to those seemingly guided by fate, these siblings have left an indelible mark on the game.

Kunal takes you back this week to look at the historic Pokhran-II tests, the moment India officially became a nuclear power. Back in May 1998, India secretly carried out five underground nuclear tests in the Rajasthan desert, shocking the world. Code-named “Operation Shakti,” these tests were a huge achievement for the country, led by Dr R Chidambaram and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and a team of brilliant Indian scientists. We'll break down how they pulled it off, what it meant for India's global standing, and how the world reacted. It’s a story of science, strategy, and India making its mark on the world stage.

Sledging has been a part of cricket since its inception, players often impacting the game's outcome by playing mind games. Tune in to this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast, where Cyrus Broacha dives into some of the most memorable sledging stories from cricket history!

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T20 cricket is the powerhouse of the sport today! With its thrilling pace and explosive plays, it’s given us unforgettable innings that will go down in cricket history. In this episode, host Cyrus Broacha takes a look back at the most iconic T20 batting innings. From Chris Gayle’s unforgettable knock against South Africa in the inaugural tournament of the first international T20 to Yuvraj Singh hitting 6 sixes in an over, to Virat Kohli’s sturdy innings against Pakistan which led India to victory and a lot more.

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Olympics fever has took over the world when the best athletes from around the world showed their skill at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But an even bigger event awaits the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles: The game of cricket will finally be a part of this global event. But did you know cricket has been a part of the Olympics once before?

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Did you know a soda company was named for the amount of fizz it shared with a certain manufacturer’s cricket balls? The cricket ball, which has more of a character of its own and effect on its sport than the balls in other ball games, has gone through quite an evolution throughout the history of the game.

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Neutral umpires are the norm today. But it wasn’t always this way. Believe it or not, the seed of this change actually occurred at a tea party thrown in 1954-55 by Pakistani skipper Abdul Kardar where he invited Lala Amarnath.

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‘Change is the only constant’ goes the famous saying. Many of our finest cricketers actually started with one skill but then switched over to another which brought them the glory and fortune they’re known for today. Did you know that Rohit Sharma, one of the finest batsmen of our time actually started out with the ball? Or the superb bowler R.Ashwin actually did NOT start with the ball, what made Anil Kumble go from pace bowling to leg spin?

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Let Cyrus take you down memory lane as he recounts some of the greatest Test innings in the history of Indian cricket. From Vijay Hazare’s phenomenal centuries in both innings against Australia, to G. Vishwanath showing his sturdy mettle against the mighty Windies and all the way to the unforgettable 281 by VVS Laxman against the Aussies, these innings will restore your faith in the undeniable spirit of cricket.

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

In this episode, Cyrus tells the story of the legendary Colonel C.K. Nayudu, the man who was India’s first ever Test captain. Despite his skill for the game and leadership, Nayudu’s journey was anything but easy. Tune in to find out how the team politics of the Royals, Nawabs and “commoners” played out during the British rule and how Nayudu made a mark at an age where many in today’s times consider retirement.

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Let's face it, the father-son relationship is a tricky one. But when it comes to Indians some of the fondest moments of bonding between fathers and sons happen through cricketing memories.

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!

Join Cyrus Broacha in this fascinating episode of "The Century of Cricket" podcast, where we explore the evolution of one of cricket's most crucial elements: the stumps. From the humble makeshift wickets of galli cricket to the high-tech LED stumps we see today, discover the journey of innovation in cricket.