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From classy Richie Benaud to flashy Danny Morrison - an evolution of cricket commentary over the years

While great players have enthralled fans throughout the world since decades, commentators capture epic moments in the history of the game in its truest colors.

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Richie Benaud (File photo)
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 “A Champion in one era will always be a champion in another”- former Australian cricketer Richie Benaud commentating for the video game- EA Sports Cricket 97. 

 

“Boom, yeah. Fetch that”- New Zealand commentator Danny Morrison reacting to an immaculate pull shot sometime back in 2010.

 

The “Gentleman’s Game” has evolved quite a lot ever since English noblemen started playing the sport way back in the 17th century.  While great players have enthralled fans throughout the world since decades, commentators capture epic moments in the history of the game in its truest colors.

The enthusiasm that Tony Greig brought to the game was second to none. While the technical knowledge of today’s commentators is indisputable, the anecdotes they share are equally insightful.  Describing a cricketers craft is not a straightforward task. So when former greats like Sunil Gavaskar explain precisely how Virat Kohli plays his cover drive, they’re essentially painting pictures with words.  


Tony Greig (getty images)

 

Every commentator brings something different to the table. The likes of Harsha Bhogle, Saurav Ganguly and Ian Chappel are some of the best at breaking down the technical aspects of the game. Bhogle began commentating at the early age of nineteen.

The fact that he was invited to commentate by All India Radio at nineteen is testament of his skills as a wordsmith and analyzer of the game.  The former chemical engineer’s perspicacity of the game is considered so valuable that he was also brought on as an advisor to the Mumbai Indian’s team in 2008. Hence commentators seem to have an influence over squad selection as well. 


Harsha Bhogle (getty images)

 

Some might criticize a commentator when he/she gets a promising player’s future prospects wrong.  But that is part and parcel of the profession.  Saurav Ganguly seems to have eased into the commentary world very effectively post retirement. Some of the conversations that Dada and Rahul Dravid have in the commentary box are priceless.

Like the time when Dravid talked about how he always underbolwed Ganguly and gave Tendulkar more over’s to bowl in tests when he was captain.  It ultimately boils down to storytelling. Ian Chappel never really considered Don Bradman a great but that outlook has never overshadowed his ability to articulate evenhandedly.


Ian Chappell (getty images)

 

The best commentators are the ones who can keep the viewers engaged even in a Test match. When you look at Test cricket’s dwindling viewership, these guys become all the more important. While traditionalists would enjoy an India-Sri Lanka test match nonetheless, modern followers of the game look for much more than just visuals.  Providing insights, anecdotes, what-I-would-have-done are some of the things viewers look for from a seasoned commentator today.

The modern game, has also given us some highly entertaining commentators. Former New Zealand fast bowler Daniel Morrison has the energy of a WWE commentator. Picture this- It’s the last over and Zimbabwe need seventy-five runs to win against England. Morrison will still breathe life into such a dull affair and that requires skill. 


Danny Morrison (getty images)

 

Purists might talk about how there’s nothing gentlemanly about Daniel’s commentating but they fail to note the changing demographics of the viewers. A twenty year old in India might not really want to hear heavy technical aspects of the game throughout the match.  So an intense and rapid T-20 game would fit in perfectly with Morrison’s style of commentary. 

When Chris Gayle has his dancing shoes on and smokes one for six down the ground, it would have been fascinating to hear Richie Benaud commentate considering how the game has advanced. If there is one quicksand aspect to commentary, it’s the restrictions that they are bound by when talking about the game.  


Richie Benaud (getty images)

 

Every commentator signs a contract before entering the commentary box. The contract prevents them from talking about the cricketing board in bad light. Some like veteran journalist, Kishore Bhimani feel that commentators sometimes are also prevented from criticizing certain players. Hence objectivity becomes a talking point in this profession.  

Former Australian captain, Ian Chappel refused to commentate on the India-Australia series in 2014 because he was subject to BCCI restrictions even though he was signed by ESPN.  BCCI’s resistance towards the Decision Review System.(DRS) means that commentators will have to refrain from talking about it. Great commentators and their creative inputs should and must not be stifled by such limitations. 

A dream situation would be having a commentating team that is independent of any cricketing board in the world. Then again, that will be easier said than done. 

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