India’s Richie Benaud

[Also on http://www.cricdude.com/]

Many take to cricket either because of the love for the game or for the players or for the country or even because of the cricket fanatics around them. But believe it or not I started watching the game for its commentary. I used to pay more attention to the words than the ball. I used to love commentators more than cricketers. I still do. Commentators keep the game alive and interesting. They help ordinary spectators understand the game better. Imagine watching cricket on TV without commentary. It would be like dessert without its yummy topping. The flavor would have gone missing.

I still remember those days when I used to feel depressed if I got a commentator’s name wrong. As a young kid I believed everything they said was true and there was no disputing it. I still haven’t completely come out of it. Those are the voices I rely on. Commentators still have a great influence on me. At times I wonder why. And the answer is with me - Their interesting choice of words, their cricketing acumen and more for their personality than anything else. I have a long list of commentators who have over the years made the game more interesting than it is. A few names which come to my mind without having to recollect are India’s Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri, Australia’s legendary commentators like Richie Benaud, England’s Geoff Boycott, Tony Greig and David Lloyd. Even if it’s a boring test match draw I’m glued to the television screen just to listen to Mark Nicholas talk. Such is the impact commentators have on the game. I’m in no means suggesting that the quality of the game has very little to do with drawing followers. All that I’m saying is commentators add the much needed spice to cricket.

My inspiration to write about the game came from Mr.Harsha Bhogle. He is undoubtedly the face of Indian cricket. His singing abilities and on-field achievements as a captain of his university cricket team are always talked about by him. Everyone just adores him for what he is. He is intelligent, smart, witty, lively and humble and has vast knowledge about the game. He knows how exactly to capture the minds of a global audience with the touch of humour of course. He is a thorough professional. He is accepted world-wide as a bright media person. Be it as an anchor or a quiz master, a host or a T.V presenter, a top class commentator or a fine writer, he is at his best. His child-like enthusiasm is evident in every article he writes and every show he hosts. He has inspired me o empower my dreams. He might not be as great a writer as Peer Roebuck or as great a commentator as Richie Benaud. But he has managed to make a name of his own. Once, a group of cricket lovers in Pakistan held a banner which said “Harsha Bhogle fan club”. What better a prize could you expect! The warmth with which he is welcomed, loved and respected all over the world is phenomenal.

“India’s Richie Benaud equivalent, the guru of cricket from India” says Adam Gilchrist about Harsha Bhogle.