Humans naturally enjoy stories. Some people are especially good at telling stories. But while characters are important in a story, storytellers also play a significant role.
In the ancient epic Mahabharata, there was a commentator named Sanjaya. He narrated the events on the battlefield to King Dhritrashtra, who was blind. Sanjaya’s storytelling was incredibly valuable to the king.
Storytellers and commentators add their own charm to stories, making them more interesting for listeners or viewers. In cricket, commentators have entertained fans for many years.
In the past, radio commentators described cricket matches vividly for listeners. Now, with television, their role has changed but remains crucial. Cricket fans enjoy the sounds of bat hitting ball or stumps being knocked over, but commentators add to this experience.
Since Test cricket began in 1877, many commentators have become famous for their voices and insights. Some were great cricketers themselves, while others simply loved the game. Both types bring unique perspectives that enrich the experience for fans.
Here, we look at 10 cricket commentators who have captivated fans of this beautiful game.
1. John Arlott
John Arlott, an Englishman from Basingstoke, Hampshire, began broadcasting cricket in 1946. He kept doing it until 1980. Arlott often commented during England’s home matches. He became famous for his work on BBC’s Test Match Special (TMS). Wisden said he had a poetic soul.
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2. Ravi Chaturvedi
Ravi Chaturvedi was one of the first Hindi cricket commentators in India. Before joining All India Radio (AIR) in the 1960s, he was a Zoology professor at Delhi University. Throughout his career, he covered over a hundred Test matches and ODIs.
In 1976, during India’s historic chase of 403 runs against West Indies in Port of Spain, Chaturvedi was on the radio. His final stint with AIR was during the 2011 World Cup. He belongs to a time when people listened to radios constantly, and he’s disappointed with how radio commentators are treated today.
In an interview with Clayton Murzello, Sports Editor at Mid-Day, he remarked, “Radio helped popularize cricket and reach remote areas. It’s sad and hard to believe what’s happening to radio now.“
3. Anant Setalvad
Anant Setalvad, like Ravi Chaturvedi, might not be familiar to today’s younger generation. Harsha Bhogle, a beloved commentator, once praised Setalvad, saying, “When I was young, I admired Anant Setalvad and tried to emulate his style, but I could never match the unique charm and authority of his voice. He was the commentator I admired the most during the golden age of radio broadcasting in India.“
Setalvad, originally a club cricketer, had a deep understanding of the game. From the 1960s to the 1980s, he was well-known for his lively descriptions on the microphone, keeping listeners informed about everything happening on the cricket field.
4. Richie Benaud
Richie Benaud was known as the voice of cricket for many people. He was closely linked with Channel Nine’s coverage of Australian cricket every summer. His famous saying, “Marvellous,” was featured in TV ads for the Australian Tourism Commission.
Benaud had a fan club called the ‘Richies’. They would often dress like him in his cream jacket and wear wigs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to honor the former cricketer turned commentator.
He was famous for pausing during his commentary. Once, when a batsman scored a century, he told Sunil Gavaskar to let the viewers soak in the moment and applaud the batsman in their own way.
5. Tony Grieg
Tony Greig was a passionate commentator known for his lively voice that captivated listeners. Originally from South Africa and a former England Captain, he could make even the most boring parts of a game exciting. He had a unique style of giving pitch reports using everyday objects like car keys or pens.
His commentary during the Australian cricket season on Channel Nine was famous, but his impact extended beyond that. Indian cricket fans especially remember his commentary during the “Desert Storm” matches after Sachin Tendulkar’s batting.
Greig was well-loved across the cricketing world as a global figure. Interestingly, both Greig and Benaud were born on October 6th, although 16 years apart. There have been suggestions to mark October 6th as an ‘International Commentators Day’ by the ICC.
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6. Bill Lawry
Bill Lawry, Richie Benaud, and Tony Grieg were a strong team in the Channel Nine commentary box. After his cricket career, Lawry joined Kerry Packer for World Series Cricket in 1977-78, following in Benaud’s footsteps. For more than forty years, Lawry, a former Australian captain, shared his insights during many important moments in Australian cricket.
7. Geoffrey Boycott
Geoffrey Boycott, the ex-England captain, became famous as a commentator for his Yorkshire accent and clever remarks. He’s known for openly criticizing players, much like he did during his playing career. His commentary sometimes causes controversy, but it’s also known for being full of smart insights that make the commentary more interesting.
8. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar’s passion for technique, which made him famous as a player, still shines through when he speaks on the microphone today. Hearing his deep understanding of cricket is a learning experience for any fan. But he’s not always serious in the commentary box. His quick wit and funny remarks are just as impressive as his skillful shots were on the field.
He’s one of the few commentators who speaks honestly, even if it causes controversy.
9. Harsha Bhogle
Harsha Bhogle is a very popular commentator. He became famous enough that there was once a TV show named ‘Harsha ki Khoj’ (Search for Harsha). Like many Indian commentators, he began his career at All India Radio.
Bhogle stands out because he isn’t a former cricketer. Instead, he studied Chemical Engineering and earned an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad.
10. Tony Cozier
Tony Cozier, known as the voice of West Indies cricket, began doing cricket commentary in 1965 and continued for nearly 50 years. He was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, and started as a club cricketer, although he initially knew very little about the game.
Cozier was outspoken about the decline of cricket in the Caribbean islands. He was a commentator for BBC’s Test Match Special (TMS), World Series Cricket, and various other programs.
*Note that the list is not ranked in any particular order*
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