Commentary to a sport is like internet in today’s generation. One might be able to sustain a life without it, but then, what’s life without the internet in the 21st century. Similarly, cricket is no alien to this phenomenon.
Over the years, we have been fortunate to have greats like Tony Greig, Richie Benaud, Harsha Bhogle and Sunil Gavaskar entertain and educate us about the gentleman’s game. At the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup too, we have seen a number of good commentators call the shots from the commentary box.
Though their role has been largely appreciated, the World Cup as also seen fans have a go at some for there callous work at times. While last week it was cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar who was on the receiving end of the fan’s ire, on Tuesday, it was the former World Cup-winning skipper Steve Waugh, who ruffled a few feathers while on comms duty.
At the first semifinal between India and New Zealand in Manchester, Waugh was paired with his Indian counterpart and former skipper Sourav Ganguly and Harsha Bhogle. And the fans didn’t leave the opportunity to thank their stars for the opportunity.
Steve Waugh, Sourav Ganguly and Harsha Bhogle. Bas yehi commentary panel freeze kar do @StarSportsIndia ❤️ #INDvNZ
— richa singh (@richa_singh) July 9, 2019
Steve Waugh, Sourav Ganguly and Harsha Bhogle in the commentary box!
— B I N O Y 🏎 (@beeayeanoowhy) July 9, 2019
The amount of cricketing wisdom right now on that bench far exceeds the combined knowledge of everyone else at the Old Trafford. #CWC19
Saurav Ganguly and Steve Waugh in the same frame, microphones in hand, as @bhogleharsha watches on, inside the commentary box.
— Satadru Mukherjee (@SatadruHata) July 9, 2019
For cricket fans from the 90's, this is probably the highlight of #ICCWorldCup2019 #indiavsNewzealand
Thank you @hotstartweets pic.twitter.com/qJ46qIEJUC
This is what we call expert analysis and good commentary by @bhogleharsha @SGanguly99 and Steve Waugh. A refreshing change from ur biased and nonsense verbal diarrhoea @sanjaymanjrekar pic.twitter.com/liNrahVeZp
— Loki (@PradeepLokesh) July 9, 2019
Fascinating listening to Steve Waugh - ”evey sacrifice is a down-payment on winning the world cup” #INDvNZ
— Game Play (@gameplaypsych1) July 9, 2019
However, there was another side to the story. Waugh did speak a lot about Australia in the World Cup and that didn’t go down well with a lot of fans. Some picked him for pulling his nation into everything, while others believed he could definitely have done better.
Which one is a bigger let down?
— Rakshit Chopra (@rakshit_chopra) July 9, 2019
Sanjay Manjrekar replacing Steve Waugh in the commentary box.
Sanjay Manjrekar coming into bat after Sachin Tendulkar gets out.
Tired of Steve Waugh blabbing about Australia while NZ are playing India. Our batsmen saving themselves for the second innings!
— Peter Lampp (@PeterLampp) July 9, 2019
The suffering is made worse by the commentary basically reverting to a series of Steve Waugh monologues. #NZvIND
— David Williams (@ddub_news) July 9, 2019
Well, not everyone can satisfy everyone. Can they?
Feature image courtesy: Screen grab/ Hotstar
