5 most underrated commentators in the world

Commentary has a deep connection to the enjoyment of following any sport and right from the days when the only way of following a cricket match was through a radio, commentary has been a vital element of the experience of a cricket fan.

Commentators explain the intricacies of the game, inform the viewer about certain things he might not be aware of and remains a companion throughout the duration of the game.

At this point in time, there are plenty of commentators in the world who are rightly lauded for their work while a few others are often overlooked. Such commentators are often not as celebrated as they should be and here is a look at 5 of them, who deserves far more credit for the job that they do.

#5 Shane Warne

It is often said that Australia missed out on a great captain when they decided to bypass Shane Warne and make Ricky Ponting their full-time captain.

Warne had an outstanding tactical brain and that has been in view ever since he picked up the microphone a few years ago.

Warne's insights on the different aspects of captaincy, tactics and field changes have made him a distinctly interesting commentator to listen to.

However, he does not seem to enjoy the sort of deference that is reserved for other commentators and part of that could lie in the fact that he is almost always an advocate of ultra-attacking captaincy, which sometimes can rub people the wrong way.

That said, he is articulate and has a very good grasp of the game and is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated commentators in the world at the moment.

#4 Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting

One of the big reasons behind the fact that the former Australian great is often not regarded with the same deference as other top commentators is that he does not do it round the year like so many others.

However, when he does get into the commentators' box, Ponting is one of the most engaging and absorbing voices to listen to. He started off his career as a commentator in the Australian Big Bash League and ever since, Ponting has been an excellent presence in the commentary box.

However, his commentary stints are not as frequent as many other ex-cricketers, which is why he might be a bit under-appreciated by many cricket fans.

If he decides to hold the microphone during some of the big series that take place throughout the year, then his ability as a commentator of rare gifts will be clear for all to see.

#3 Mike Haysman

Mike HaysmanThe Australia born former South African first-class cricketer has been a prominent broadcaster, journalist, and commentator for around two decades now and remains one of the most recognisable voices in world cricket.

However, Mike Haysman's excellent commentary does not quite get the sort of recognition that one would hope and the reason perhaps lies in the fact that he was an obscure cricketer during his playing days.

His knowledge of the game and insights makes the game far more enjoyable for the viewers. Additionally, like most gifted commentators, he does not try to tell the viewer what is important and what is not.

Haysman is involved in commentating during almost all games involving South Africa and over the years, he has become a constant fixture in all global tournaments, as well as in the Indian Premier League.

A commentator who is so prominent and gets to work on some of the biggest events in the cricketing calendar has to be particularly good at his job. Yet, Haysman is hardly ever counted among the best commentators in the world and that is perhaps a bit of a tragedy.

#2 Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain

The Sky Sports commentary team is an award-winning one and is widely regarded as possessing one of the best set of cricket commentators in the world.

Among them, people like Ian Botham and David Lloyd are perhaps rated very highly due to varied reasons. Botham has the legendary stature and is known for being quite frank with his opinions, while Lloyd is more famous for his idiosyncrasies. Mike Atherton is also very highly rated all over the world.

In that elite team of broadcasters, the commentator who does not often get his due is former England captain Nasser Hussain. Hussain is extremely articulate, yet forthright with his views and his thorough knowledge of the game shines through whenever he wants to make a point.

Last but not the least, he is still regarded as one of the most intelligent captains England ever had and that allows him to often illuminate the viewer on the direction in which a game might be going.

More often than not, he is quite right and it is a bit strange that he is not clubbed among the best commentators in the world.

#1 Ian Bishop

Ian Bishop

Nowadays, Ian Bishop is famous all over the world for bellowing 'Carlos Brathwaite, Remember the name!!!' after the West Indian all-rounder's exploits in the last over of the World T20 Final in Kolkata last year.

That perhaps remains Bishop's most famous moment as a commentator but he should not only be known for having uttered those memorable lines at the end of an unforgettable game.

Bishop has been consistently excellent as a commentator for many years now and it is perhaps about time that people realised that he is among the finest in the game in his job.

While Bishop is extremely forthright and sure about his opinions about the game, he is not intense or does not come across as arrogant in any way and that is something that a cricket fan can always relate to.

On the other hand, he is among the most articulate commentators in the world and chooses his words carefully, which makes for a great experience for the viewer.