Ajit Agarkar could well become one of the best Indian cricket experts on TV.
I was flipping channels yesterday, and happened to see a news channel interviewing Agarkar and Dean Jones about the latest IPL matches. Agarkar has flair, is very composed, has great insights, and is surprising well prepared. I have watched most Indian cricket experts on TV over the years, and have been deeply disappointed at their mediocrity. Agarkar and Ganguly could be the breath of fresh air that we have sorely lacked over the years.
Shastri is suave and polished, but can't go beyond the usual cliches - he has learnt from the good ones, and has learnt well, but has no originality. The less said about Navjot Sidhu the better - whenever he appears on TV, I thank the inventor of the mute function. All others including Gavaskar are masters at stating the obvious. Sanjay Manjarekar had emerged as an outspoken commentator with good insights but has quickly joined the pack of the mediocre.
Will we have our own Ian Chappell, Barry Richards, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, or Nasser Hussain? Or will the Indian cricket commentary teams continue to wallow in mediocrity?
It is early days, but Agarkar is the best hope I have seen in years.
I was flipping channels yesterday, and happened to see a news channel interviewing Agarkar and Dean Jones about the latest IPL matches. Agarkar has flair, is very composed, has great insights, and is surprising well prepared. I have watched most Indian cricket experts on TV over the years, and have been deeply disappointed at their mediocrity. Agarkar and Ganguly could be the breath of fresh air that we have sorely lacked over the years.
Shastri is suave and polished, but can't go beyond the usual cliches - he has learnt from the good ones, and has learnt well, but has no originality. The less said about Navjot Sidhu the better - whenever he appears on TV, I thank the inventor of the mute function. All others including Gavaskar are masters at stating the obvious. Sanjay Manjarekar had emerged as an outspoken commentator with good insights but has quickly joined the pack of the mediocre.
Will we have our own Ian Chappell, Barry Richards, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, or Nasser Hussain? Or will the Indian cricket commentary teams continue to wallow in mediocrity?
It is early days, but Agarkar is the best hope I have seen in years.
2 comments:
Nitin, good piece as always and an interestig topic. I often have the same conversation with friends over the quality of commentators as they can very much add to the overall satisfaction of viewing a game. I've haven't heard Agarkar speaking on air, but agree with your comments about Ganguly. Ganguly is not afraid to say what he thinks much like when he was captain. A lot of commentators commentate as though they are still on the radio and in a way 'insult' the viewers knowledge of the game. Shastri, well he just tends to shout and talk loudly but not much substance. Richie Benaud was one of the finest commentators ever followed by Tony Cozier. Cozier is almost poetic! My favourite commentator currently is Mike Atherton as he's so composed and articulate. Nasser Hussain is always educating the viewer. TV commentary is an art and there are only a select few who have perfected it !
I agree Vivek, Richie Benaud was very good. I like Cozier, but he is not among my favourites. I love the guys who regularly tell me something I couldn't spot - from that perspective Ian Chappell and Barry Richards are at the top of my list.
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