Cricket has always been a popular sport with an extensive history and highly enthusiastic fans. Watching a match in the stadium is a dream come true for most fans, but it’s not always possible. Before the age of high definition cameras and real-time live telecasts, there was one way matches could come alive for people: through cricket commentary on radio! The BBC had 10 minutes of live commentary for Indians during the 1946 test tour for the first time, which led to a record number of Indians buying radios and tuning in to hear about their international athletes. Since then, we’ve never looked back. Every fan knows that good commentary can absolutely transform the experience of a match, and over the years, we’ve all had our favorites – each with their unique styles.
One cannot think of Indian cricket commentary without Harsha Bhogle (pictured below), who is often called the ‘Voice of Cricket’. His keen understanding of the game and insightful commentary made him stand out, and it’s no surprise that he has maintained his stature even 40 years after his debut. He’s equally skillful at after-match analyses, where he can dissect performances and identify reasons for losses and wins – every cricket enthusiast looks forward to his segment after the match is over. Also, he’s so well-read that he can connect patterns in cricket to other facets of life; it’s a joy to listen to him speak. But perhaps the most crucial aspect of his approach to commentary is his unbiased perspective: his focus is on skill, on sportsmanship, and while he’s a proud Indian, he doesn’t differentiate between a catch by Dhoni or a catch by Sarfaraz Khan. This is why he’s considered iconic, with his commentary transcending national boundaries.
Many other famous commentators in India are accomplished former athletes. Perhaps the first name that comes to mind is Ravi Shastri, who blends his trademark humor with a clever analysis of the sport. The respect cricket fans have for him is immense, as he was a part of the 1983 world-cup winning team. He’s also extensively involved in cricket coaching, but enthusiasts look forward to any occasion where he makes his way to the commentating box. Similarly, we have Sunil Gavaskar, who brings a wealth of cricketing knowledge and a touch of nostalgia to his commentary. He always seems extremely invested in the game, almost commentating as a coach instead of an observer. In recent years, we’ve also been lucky enough to listen to Dada, or Sourav Ganguly, serve as commentator, along with Virender Sehwag. It can feel exciting to have celebrated players in the box since they provide anecdotes from older days and perspectives from the field as well!
Sources:
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/cricket/indian-cricket-on-radio-through-the-years-10812231.html
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