Cricket, often regarded as a religion in India, boasts a massive following in the country. The game’s popularity goes beyond the boundaries of the field, and one key factor that enhances the excitement is the presence of talented and insightful commentators. Indian cricket, in particular, has been graced with some of the finest voices in the world of sports commentary. These Indian cricket commentators havean in-depth understanding of the game and a distinctive style that amplifies the thrill for millions of cricket aficionados.
In this blog, we embark on a journey to celebrate the top 10 Indian cricket commentators
10] Jatin Sapru
Jatin Sapru is an Indian sports television presenter and cricket commentator who currently works for the Star Sports network. He was born on April 8, 1986, in Kashmir, India, and is currently 37 years old.
Ever since he was young, Jatin had a strong passion for sports. He admired Alan Wilkins, a renowned commentator, and was fascinated by Wilkins’ commentary in various sports. Inspired by this, Jatin embarked on his career in commentary. In the first five years of his career, he covered commentary for motor sports, Formula 1, bowling, and even had the opportunity to commentate during the 2012 London Olympics.
Jatin began his career as a journalist and later joined the production team at ESPN, where he gained valuable experience and learned about the behind-the-scenes aspects of sports broadcasting.
In 2008, Jatin Sapru started working as a sports anchor for Star Sports. He became known for hosting almost every cricket event on Star Sports India. After dedicating nearly a decade to his work, Star Sports recognized his talent and offered him the opportunity to become a full-time commentator. Jatin seized this opportunity and has since become a well-respected and popular commentator.
Over the years, Jatin Sapru has covered numerous seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), including the IPL 2023. He is also a commentator for other cricket tournaments involving the Indian team, such as the T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup.He has had the privilege of commentating alongside some of the finest Indian cricket commentators.
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9] Anjum Chopra
Anjum Chopra, born on May 20, 1977, in New Delhi, India, is a former Indian cricketer who has transitioned into a successful career as a cricket commentator. She has established herself as a prominent voice in the world of cricket commentary and analysis.
Chopra’s journey as a commentator began in the 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL), where she showcased her insights and expertise. Prior to that, she had a brief stint in commentary during the World Kabaddi League. However, it was her entry into professional cricket commentary during the 2015 IPL that marked the beginning of her official career in this field.
Following her initial experiences, Anjum Chopra had the opportunity to commentate on the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016. This valuable experience further honed her skills and helped her gain recognition in the cricket commentary sphere. Subsequently, in 2017, she had a significant breakthrough when she was selected to be a commentator for the Women’s ODI World Cup, which proved to be a pivotal moment in her commentary career.
Since then, Anjum Chopra has become a familiar face in the world of cricket commentary. Her expertise and deep understanding of the game have led her to contribute to men’s international matches and various important ICC events as well. Undoubtedly Anjum Chopra is one of the prominent Indian cricket commentators, has made a lasting impact in the realm of cricket commentary.
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8] Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, a well-known former Indian cricketer, has taken on different roles after retiring from the sport. He now works as a commentator, cricket analyst, actor. Pathan was famous for his skills as both a bowler and all-rounder, and he played a crucial role in the Indian cricket team’s victories in the first ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
After retiring from cricket, Pathan smoothly transitioned into a career in commentary. He has worked with popular broadcasters like Star Sports, Sony Pictures Networks India, and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Recently, he has become a significant presence on the commentary panel for Star Sports and the Indian Premier League (IPL), where his excellent command of the Hindi language and deep understanding of the game have earned him much praise.
Pathan’s special talent lies in his ability to break down complex cricket concepts and explain them in a simple and interesting way, especially in Hindi. This talent comes from his extensive experience playing international cricket and the vast knowledge he has acquired over the years.
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7] Murali Kathik
Murali Kartik, a former Indian cricketer, has now become a cricket commentator. He represented the Indian cricket team from 2000 to 2007, playing in eight Tests, 37 ODIs, and one T20I.
Currently, Kartik is a part of the commentary panel for Sony and Starsports. In 2019, he transitioned into commentary after retiring from professional cricket in 2014. You may have seen him during match presentations, post-match interviews, and pre-match discussions with players.
Kartik has become a familiar and recognizable presence in the commentary box in recent times.
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6] Vivek Razdan
Vivek Razdan is a former Indian cricketer who played in two Tests and three ODIs between 1989 and 1990.
After his retirement, he became a Delhi-based cricket coach and commentator. He is well known for his commentary skill on the Hindi broadcast of India’s cricket matches. The soft-skill Hindi commentator represented India in the 1990s. Despite having played cricket for a very short time, Razdan is still one of the most recognizable names in the sport. He played domestic cricket after quitting his international career before beginning his second act as a commentator.
Razdan holds a very brief career in the game of cricket but is still one of the renowned names in the field. Later Razdan was approached by various sports channels and radio channels that saw him start his career as a Hindi commentator mainly for Ranji Trophy. These days he is often seen touring with the Indian team and providing his excellent knowledge of cricket in Hindi.
And now if you see any Indian Cricket Match in Hindi you will most probably find Vivek Razdan in the commentary box. His ability to narrate the game and explain about cricketing terms in hindi has made his one of the best indian cricket commentators
5] Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar is a former Indian cricketer who played for the Indian national team from 1987 to 1996. After retiring from cricket, he became a cricket commentator and has been a part of the commentary team for various cricket tournaments and matches.
After retiring from cricket, Manjrekar became a cricket commentator and has been a regular feature in the commentary box since the early 2000s.
He is also known for his controversial comments, which have sometimes landed him in hot water. In 2020, he was dropped from the BCCI’s commentary panel for the IPL after he made a controversial comment about Ravindra Jadeja.
Sanjay Manjrekar is a cricket commentator who has been a consistent presence in cricket commentary
He has also written several books on cricket, including “Imperfect” and “The Essential Sachin Tendulkar”.
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4] Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra, a former cricketer who represented the Indian cricket team from 2003 to late 2004, has since become one of the prominent Indian cricket commentators. Currently, he is known for his work as a cricket commentator, analyst, author, and YouTuber. With his expertise in Hindi commentary, Chopra has been associated with networks such as Star Sports Network and Viacom18. He has also lent his voice for the World Cricket Championship 3 game.
Chopra’s unique style of Hindi cricket commentary has brought about a significant shift in the landscape of Hindi commentary. His catchy and humorous dialogue has both garnered appreciation and received criticism. Nevertheless, he has amassed a considerable fan base in India, as his entertaining commentary strikes a chord with many cricket enthusiasts. Over time, his popularity as a commentator has continued to rise.
3] Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary former Indian cricketer, represented India and Bombay from 1971 to 1987. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in the history of cricket and is esteemed for his exceptional technical skills. Following his retirement from the sport, Gavaskar embarked on a successful career as a commentator, author, and referee. He has been a regular presence in the commentary box for significant matches involving the Indian cricket team, both at home and abroad, as well as during ICC tournaments.
One of Gavaskar’s notable strengths as a commentator is his ability to provide valuable insights by offering contextual and historical perspectives. Having played cricket at the highest level and witnessed the game’s evolution, he draws upon his own experiences and knowledge to enhance the understanding of the audience.
In addition to his technical analysis, Gavaskar is renowned for his sense of humor and his knack for injecting light-hearted moments into his commentary. He fearlessly adds humor to himself and the players on the field, providing a delightful respite from the intensity of the game.
Sunil Gavaskar, is legendary figure in Indian cricket, is undoubtedly one of the most highly respected commentators within the Indian cricket community. Whenever there is an Indian cricket match, you can expect to find Gavaskar as part of the commentary panel. He is also actively involved in providing commentary for IPL matches.
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2] Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri had a successful career as a cricketer before he turned to coaching and commentary. He played for the Indian cricket team from 1981 to 1992 and was a key member of the team that won the 1983 World Cup. He was an all-rounder who could bat, bowl, and field, and was known for his aggressive style of play.
After retiring from cricket, Shastri turned to commentary and quickly established himself as one of the best in the business. He has commentated on numerous high-profile matches, including World Cup finals and IPL matches. In addition to his commentary work, he has also served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team since 2017.
Ravi Shastri is known for his memorable quotes and catchphrases, which have become a part of cricketing folklore. Some of his most famous quotes include:
- “Tracer bullet” – a phrase he used to describe a powerful shot played by a batsman.
- “Just what the doctor ordered” – a phrase he used to describe a good performance by a player or team.
And who can forget this Iconic Line- “Dhoni finishes off in style, a magnificent strike into the crowd. India lifts the World Cup after 28 years, the party begins in the dressing room
Overall, Ravi Shastri is a well-respected figure in the world of indian cricket commentators, He is known for his expertise as a player, coach, and commentator. His distinctive style of commentary and memorable catchphrases have made him a fan favorite, and his insights into the game are highly valued by players, fans, and fellow commentators alike.
1] Harsha Bhogle
Harsha Bhogle is a famous Indian cricket commentator and journalist born on July 19, 1961, in Hyderabad, India. With a career spanning over three decades, he is widely recognized as one of the most respected and knowledgeable voices in cricket.
Bhogle began his journey as a cricket journalist in the 1980s and ventured into commentating in the early 1990s. Since then, he has become a regular presence in the commentary box for major cricket events worldwide, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ICC Cricket World Cup, and the ICC Champions Trophy.
Known for his insightful and analytical commentary, Bhogle has a knack for explaining complex cricketing concepts in a simple and engaging manner. He is admired for his impartiality, fairness, and enjoys the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.
In addition to his commentary work, Bhogle is a prolific writer who has authored several books on cricket. Among his notable works are “The Winning Way: Learnings from Sport for Managers” and “Out of the Box: Watching the Game We Love”.
Overall, Harsha Bhogle holds a position of high esteem and influence in the field of cricket commentary. His valuable insights and analysis have helped millions of fans worldwide to better understand and appreciate the sport.
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Other Indian Cricket Commentators
- Ashish Nehra
- Kapil Dev
- Gautam Gambhir
- Virendra Shewag
- Saurav Ganguly
- Laxman Sivaramakrishnan
