Opinion Commentators XI
Indias team of former players is getting ready with slogs and spins on TV channels.
The World Cup probables are lined up. As of now,this is Indias best team of former players wholl be representing the country over the next few months on news channels. Of course,the final team of commentators has not yet been picked,but on Monday they had a long practice session with a lengthy spell of discussions on the 15 Indian players selected for the Cup.
Theres a mix of caution and flamboyance here,a blend of experience and experience the youth is still out there playing the game. The commentary team is led by former captains Kapil Dev and Sourav Ganguly (Aaj Tak,Headlines Today),both of whom thought Team India had a very good chance to win the Cup. Others who padded up for the debate included opening batsmen Chetan Chauhan (Zee News),Aakash Chopra (Star News) and the middle orders Dilip Vengsarkar (News 24) and Vinod Kambli (Star News). Unlike the Indian cricket team,this one fielded two wicketkeepers Kiran More (Zee News) and Saba Karim (Times Now). There were medium fast bowlers Madan Lal (News 24) and Manoj Prabhakar (Star News) who can more than bat a bit,and then a fast bowler who cannot bat,Atul Wassan (Times Now,News 24). Unlike Team India,and in a move surprising for a team that will comment on a competition in the subcontinent,there is only one spinner Bishen Singh Bedi (Zee News,Times Now). But so prodigious is his ability to spin a discussion out of control that maybe you dont need more?
On Monday night,he suggested that Amit Mishra should have been selected for the World Cup
nobody else mentioned him. Barring selector caprice,seen in choosing Team India (according to India TV,Zee News and Star News which did boardroom stings),and barring vocal chord injuries to those chosen who can then be replaced (unless the injuries are sustained before they begin commentating in which case the ICC may deny them replacements!),this is the team well hear much too much from in the next few months.
The manager for this team picks himself. But,of course,it K. Srikkanth,the chief selector the great PR as he was called (by Times Now) who made the rounds of all the news channels. He is the ideal person for the job because his attitude is just so,what shall we say,positive. Didnt you notice how he stepped out and swatted every uncomfortable question out of the debate? Why Piyush Chawla and not Rohit Sharma? I cannot talk about individuals. What if M.S. Dhoni is injured? Dont worry,Rahul (of Headlines Today),we will find an amicable solution (?). Yes,but what about niggling injuries to players such as Virender Sehwag,Gautam Gambhir,Sachin Tendulkar,Praveen Kumar? Sab theek ho jayega,bahut time hai,aap log bahut negative ho,ifs and buts… (NDTV India). And to anyone,thereafter,who bowled him a bouncer,he was the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of cricket: Create positive energy around you,be positive,we have done the best job. This is the best
combination.
That leaves us with Mandira Bedi,who could perhaps take over Srikkanths job as both chief selector and PR chief. She is the best (looking) advertisement for the game. You see her and you want to break into a smile,no matter what. As a selector,she has her own game plan: we need a leg spinner,she announced on Times Now. We thought we had one in Piyush Chawla,but no matter,smile.
It is not going to be a cakewalk for these commentators in each match,their hearts will beat for India but not so that we can hear them. They have to be impartial yet always highlight Indias chances otherwise who will want to watch or listen to them? Thats a spot of tightrope-walking the likes of which you see in the World Cup commercial now playing on your TV screens. 14 teams. 1 Cup. February 19. Be there.
Share
