#226 Bharat Sundaresan: From Heavy Metal Dreams in India to Flamboyant Cricket Journalism—Surviving Overdoses, Finding Belonging and Storytelling
Episode #226 of The High Flyers Podcast features Bharat Sundaresan, award-winning cricket commentator, writer and storyteller. Based in Adelaide, he’s covered cricket worldwide for over 18 years and is a regular media voice on shows from ABC Breakfast to The Project. Known for his flamboyant style, Bharat was profiled on ABC’s Australian Story in 2025 and is now also pursuing his lifelong passion for pro wrestling in the ring.
In this conversation, Bharat reflects on his unconventional childhood in Mumbai, surviving two drug overdoses and finding his way into journalism after dreams of cricket and heavy metal. He shares a decade with the Indian Express covering Indian cricket, how he honed his craft by listening deeply and building trust, and the gamble of moving to Australia with his wife Isha to start afresh.
Our host, Vidit Agarwal and Bharat explore his transition into global cricket commentary, his philosophy on authenticity and belonging, the realities of racism and identity for the Indian diaspora, and the joy he finds in music, flamboyant self-expression and even stepping into the pro-wrestling ring.
________
This is the third episode in a special series with the Australian Government and their Centre for Australia–India Relations, highlighting the deepening ties between Australia and India across technology, business, media, culture and sport. With nearly one million people of Indian heritage now calling Australia home—the country’s fastest-growing large diaspora—this series brings to light the untold stories of change makers shaping the future of both nations
________
To support this podcast, check out our some of our sponsors & get discounts:
→ $1,000 off Vanta: Your compliance superpower — vanta.com/high
→ Get up to 6 months of Notion’s Business plan for free with Notion AI included (worth $12K): Go to - https://ntn.so/highflyers & click “Apply Now”
If you're keen to discuss sponsorship and partnering with us or recommend future guests, email us at contact@curiositycentre.com today!
Join our stable of commercial partners including the Australian Government, Google, KPMG, University of Melbourne and more.
________
CLICK HERE to read show notes from this conversation. Please enjoy!
________
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter
Get in touch with our Founder and Host, Vidit Agarwal directly here
Contact us via our website to discuss sponsorship opportunities, recommend future guests or share feedback, we love hearing how to improve!
Thank you for rating / reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, it helps others find us and convince guests to come on the show!
________
The High Flyers Podcast is described as a "meticulously researched biography" that uncovers the untold stories of remarkable people and companies -- redefining the "high flyer". Launched in 2020, we have ranked in the global top ten podcasts for past two years, with listeners in 27 countries and over 200 episodes released. Excerpts of the podcast have been featured in Forbes, AFR, Daily Telegraph, and showcased at SXSW.
200+ guests have joined host,
