A Century Of Stories

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...

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! The IDFC First Bank Wow! Credit Card perfectly bridges the gap between expectation and reality. Designed for every...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week’s episode, Kunal delves into the timeless Bollywood classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) and its lasting impact on the Indian diaspora. Since its release in 1995, the film has become a cultural touchstone, particularly for Indians living abroad, who connected with its themes of love, tradition, and the cha...

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 hi...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, Kunal takes you back to 1959. Amid escalating tensions between Tibet and China, the 14th Dalai Lama made a daring and secretive escape from Lhasa to India. Fearing for his life, the Dalai Lama embarked on a dangerous two-week journey across the Himalayas with a small group of followers. The perilous trek took them...

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? Tune in as Cyrus runs you through the brief history of cricket and t...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, Kunal tells the story of Usha Mehta - a prominent Gandhian freedom fighter known for her pivotal role in India’s independence movement. She is best remembered for organising the secret underground radio station that broadcasted uncensored news and messages of resistance against British colonial rule during the Qui...

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. From the vintage red ball used in the early years to the revolutionary white kookaburra ball...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Join Kunal to discover the inspiring story of Wilson Jones, India's first individual world champion in sports history. In 1958, Wilson Jones made history by clinching the World Amateur Billiards Championship, marking a milestone for Indian sports on the global stage. Kunal takes you through his journey, from humble beginning...

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. What went down at this tea party and how did a decision taken by Pakistan captain Imran Khan decades later make sure that neutrality and honesty in umpiring was maintained?...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week’s episode, Kunal talks about Mughal-e-Azam, a landmark in Indian cinema. Known for its grandeur, intricate set designs, and lavish costumes, it was directed by K. Asif. This historical drama, centred on the love story of Prince Salim and Anarkali, set new standards with its visual splendour and iconic soundtrack...

‘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...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, Kunal takes you to Odisha, located on the eastern coast of India. Odisha is rapidly emerging as a premier sporting destination, thanks to its world-class infrastructure, initiatives, and vibrant sports culture. Known for hosting major international events like the Hockey World Cup, Odisha boasts state-of-the...

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 spi...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Join Kunal to explore an international movie phenomenon of the 1950s and 60s. Raj Kapoor, the legendary Indian filmmaker and actor, became an international icon, especially in the Soviet Union, where his films resonated deeply with audiences. Known as the 'Showman of Indian Cinema,' Raj Kapoor's blend of romanc...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Discover the fascinating origins of Amar Chitra Katha with Kunal. India's comic book series loved by generations of children brought to life the rich tapestry of Indian mythology, history, and folklore. In this video, we delve into the creation of Amar Chitra Katha, and the vision of Anant Pai, who sought to ma...

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 conside...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In 2008, Tata Motors made a historic move by acquiring the iconic British brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion. This bold acquisition was a strategic effort to expand Tata Motors' global presence. Ratan Tata's leadership played a pivotal role in revitalising the two brands. With substantial investme...

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. Our host Cyrus Broacha is no different. In this episode find out which father-son duo was the first to play test cricket for India (hint: It involves the controversial ‘Bodyline’ series from the Ashes), how Lala...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In 1995, India took its first steps into the digital age with the introduction of the internet, marking a significant milestone in the country's technological journey. The Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited launched public internet services on August 15, 1995, connecting India to the global network and revolutionising commu...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, we look back at the 'Angry Young Man' of Indian cinema. Amitabh Bachchan and his persona redefined the image of the hero during the 1970s and 1980s. His films captured the simmering anger and rebellious spirit of the youth, reflecting the socio-political unrest of the time. With his intense eyes and powerfu...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Today, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Abhinav Bindra, who took the shot that changed our nation's sporting landscape forever. From being the youngest participant at the 1998 Commonwealth Games to clinching India's first-ever individual Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, Abhinav Bindra etched his...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Discover the incredible journey of PT Usha, from a 20-year-old Olympic trailblazer to the powerhouse leading India's Olympic dreams. This video explores how a village girl became India's 'Golden Girl' of track and field, nearly clinching an Olympic medal in 1984. Now, as head of the Indian Olympic Association, she's r...

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. Highlights include: The story of Lumpy Stevens and how his frustration led to the introduc...

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! APJ Abdul Kalam is a name that resonates throughout India's scientific and political history. From leading India's missile program to becoming the nation's 11th President, he redefined leadership and inspiration. This aerospace engineer turned 'Missile Man' left an indelible mark on science and governance. How did a b...