The first Indian commentator I loved and respected was the one and only SMG. Not so much for his skills as one but for his courage to "stand up" to the big boys aka England and Australia on air.
He made his debut in 1990 and while it was expected for ex players to be neutral
He made his debut in 1990 and while it was expected for ex players to be neutral
on air, it was essential that someone stand up to the double standards going on in world cricket at that time.
His most famous story, which I think occurred while he was captain, was when he refused to allow batsmen to get drinks in between overs on their own. The argument was
His most famous story, which I think occurred while he was captain, was when he refused to allow batsmen to get drinks in between overs on their own. The argument was
that the English and Australian players were not used to the extreme heat and needed additional water to sustain themselves on the field.
His response was that the Indian players were not used to the extreme English cold and so they should also be allowed a heater in the slips
His response was that the Indian players were not used to the extreme English cold and so they should also be allowed a heater in the slips
to warm their hands as they were not able to hold on to catches due to their hands being frozen.
SMG made his debut in the infamous 333 Gooch Test.
A few years later, around 1995-96 another Mumbai khadoos made his debut. The irresistible Ravi "tracer bullet" Shastri.
SMG made his debut in the infamous 333 Gooch Test.
A few years later, around 1995-96 another Mumbai khadoos made his debut. The irresistible Ravi "tracer bullet" Shastri.
He really impressed everyone with his vocal opinions on matters and quickly formed a tag team with SMG to become "India's voices" in world cricket.
Both of them made a name for themselves calling out what was right and wrong, not sparing the BCCI and Indian players also.
Both of them made a name for themselves calling out what was right and wrong, not sparing the BCCI and Indian players also.
SMG's famous "He is running like there is no tomorrow" in response to Azhar's mindless running at Sharjah is permanently etched in the minds of millions of cricket fans.
"If Mike Denness cannot answer questions, what is he doing here? We all know what he looks like" thundered
"If Mike Denness cannot answer questions, what is he doing here? We all know what he looks like" thundered
Ravi Shastri at the presser post the 2001 Test against South Africa where Sachin was pronounced guilty for ball tampering.
You can watch Shastri here at the 1'40" mark ()
In 2009-10, Gavaskar and Shastri were contracted by the BCCI as on air experts.
You can watch Shastri here at the 1'40" mark ()
In 2009-10, Gavaskar and Shastri were contracted by the BCCI as on air experts.
They were paid more than 3 crores per annum and the rule was that any broadcasters HAD to have them on air.
So they effectively became BCCI's propaganda speakers on air. They started going very easy on the BCCI and were accused of toeing the line.
So they effectively became BCCI's propaganda speakers on air. They started going very easy on the BCCI and were accused of toeing the line.
Sanjay Manjrekar also joined the on air BCCI team and was doing a good job.
Somewhere down the line, Gavaskar became "too expensive" for the BCCI and was supposedly not "toeing the BCCI" line. Why they felt that was never understood as he always openly backed the BCCI stance on
Somewhere down the line, Gavaskar became "too expensive" for the BCCI and was supposedly not "toeing the BCCI" line. Why they felt that was never understood as he always openly backed the BCCI stance on
a lot of issues like DRS and rank turners.
(timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/Su…)
Over the years, players like MSD and Virat Kohli came onto the scene and became really really powerful.
I can't say exactly when this happened but it was apparent that the "on air" experts were not
(timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/Su…)
Over the years, players like MSD and Virat Kohli came onto the scene and became really really powerful.
I can't say exactly when this happened but it was apparent that the "on air" experts were not
supposed to criticize the Indian players either.
Matters came to a head when this tweet was posted:
This single tweet changed the equation between players and commentators for ever.
Matters came to a head when this tweet was posted:
This single tweet changed the equation between players and commentators for ever.
To make matters worse, MSD followed it up with this:
Everyone started blaming SMG and Manjrekar. But AB clarified it was neither so the finger was now pointing squarely at @bhogleharsha.
There was only one problem:
Everyone started blaming SMG and Manjrekar. But AB clarified it was neither so the finger was now pointing squarely at @bhogleharsha.
There was only one problem:
Harsha was suspended from his role as an on air expert. Speculation was rife that it was because of the tweets from AB and MSD.
Later it emerged there was an argument between Harsha and a prominent BCCI official in Nagpur which led to his suspension (apparently).
Later it emerged there was an argument between Harsha and a prominent BCCI official in Nagpur which led to his suspension (apparently).
By now, the message from the BCCI was LOUD and CLEAR:
Toe the line or be prepared to be chucked out!
Fast forward to the 2019 WC and Sanjay Manjrekar was now in the hot seat.
He described Ravindra Jadeja as a "bits and pieces" player!
Jadeja proved him wrong on the field.
Toe the line or be prepared to be chucked out!
Fast forward to the 2019 WC and Sanjay Manjrekar was now in the hot seat.
He described Ravindra Jadeja as a "bits and pieces" player!
Jadeja proved him wrong on the field.
Manjrekar was man enough to admit he was wrong on live TV:
But then things turned nasty when Jadeja decided to fire back at Manjrekar:
I remember there was even an online petition started by some fans to have Manjrekar ousted.
But then things turned nasty when Jadeja decided to fire back at Manjrekar:
I remember there was even an online petition started by some fans to have Manjrekar ousted.
Manjrekar himself made matters worse for himself when he humiliated Harsha Bhogle on air with this comments as heard here:
I had just turned the TV on and could not believe what I was hearing. It is so bad I have not been able to watch the video again!
I had just turned the TV on and could not believe what I was hearing. It is so bad I have not been able to watch the video again!
He has admitted himself that it was the "worst year as a broadcaster" ever. Go to the 7'30" mark here:
Well 2020 was about to get far worse and I am not referring to COVID-19:
opindia.com/2020/03/sanjay…
This is a terrible move. BCCI is creating a monster
Well 2020 was about to get far worse and I am not referring to COVID-19:
opindia.com/2020/03/sanjay…
This is a terrible move. BCCI is creating a monster
it cannot control and that's bad for everyone involved.
Charles Barkley, whom I consider the funniest man on Sports TV and a superb expert, made some critical comments about his best friend Michael Jordan.
MJ did not take kindly to that and cut off all contacts with Charles.
Charles Barkley, whom I consider the funniest man on Sports TV and a superb expert, made some critical comments about his best friend Michael Jordan.
MJ did not take kindly to that and cut off all contacts with Charles.
CB addresses it here but has not backed down from his comments:
nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/…
That is how it should be. On air experts are paid to share their opinions and the players need to be able to handle it!
nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/…
That is how it should be. On air experts are paid to share their opinions and the players need to be able to handle it!
Sanjay Manjrekar said "he will apologize if he has unwittingly offended anyone and will follow any guidelines the BCCI may set.".
@sambitbal the Editor-in-chief of @ESPNcricinfo has written an excellent article about this issue:
@sambitbal the Editor-in-chief of @ESPNcricinfo has written an excellent article about this issue:
It is not just said, it is legally wrong. The BCCI is basically denying a man his legal right to earn a living and had this been the US or Europe, they would have been sued and lost in court.
I hope they right this wrong.
I hope they right this wrong.
As far as the players are concerned, I am so disappointed.
I was mighty impressed with the aggressive nature of the players which I believe has helped the team perform well, specially overseas.
But it is clear they are just a bunch of cry babies who are using the might
I was mighty impressed with the aggressive nature of the players which I believe has helped the team perform well, specially overseas.
But it is clear they are just a bunch of cry babies who are using the might
and clout of the BCCI to serve their own interests.
Grow up boys! Grow up!
#cricket #SanjayManjrekar #BCCI #Commentators #IPL #Bitsandpieces #RavindraJadeja
Grow up boys! Grow up!
#cricket #SanjayManjrekar #BCCI #Commentators #IPL #Bitsandpieces #RavindraJadeja
