The 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was supposed to lose a bit of shine before its start because of the World T20 which preceded it. There was only a week’s gap in between the two tournaments and the fans seemed not too keen on having an overdose of cricket. But then just after the World tournament, there was a controversy which shook the cricketing world.
Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle was sacked. Talking to the Indian Express, Bhogle had said that he did not know why the BCCI had terminated his contract.
“No one told me anything. I have not been formally told of the reason even now. All I have been told is ‘it is a BCCI management decision,” Bhogle had said after the sacking.
There were reports that the BCCI had taken the decision after the commentator was highly criticized during the World T20 for not favouring the Indian cricket team. Even Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan had a veiled attack on the 55-year-old with a tweet. Indian limited overs Mahendra Singh Dhoni also joined in and had supported the Bollywood star then.
Also Read: A letter to Harsha Bhogle because even the story of the storyteller is important
Other reports suggested that the commentator had a heated exchange with a Vidharbha Cricket Association official and that could have led to his ouster.
It’s been six months now and Bhogle’s presence in the commentary cubicle is missed. Here we look at some of the reasons as to why we still miss him.
#1 He wasn’t too keen on taking sides
Bhogle was always neutral when he was commentating matches involving India. He neither criticized India much when they lost nor did he praise the team too much after their wins. There were times when his co-commentators would laud the Indian cricketers but Bhogle would not jump to conclusions too soon. He would wait for the player to achieve a milestone and then he would appreciate the efforts in his own unique style. He also treated each team as equal and therefore would never take sides.
Maybe that is what irked fans during the World T20 and that is precisely what might have gone against him. However, isn’t commentating suppose to be about being neutral? If they start praising players all the time should not they be tagged as supporters?
#2 His command over Hindi and English
Bhogle was known for his command over both Hindi and English and was a treat to listen to. It was like two different commentators speaking when he decided to switch languages but he was adept at both. In fact, his Hindi speaking abilities was excellent and better and most of the commentators who were hired by the IPL or the BCCI.
His presence is missed every time unimaginative Hindi commentary is up on air. But some of his wittiest lines have been in English. Once Geoffrey Boycott had mentioned, “Sachin may be a great batsman but he never got his name on the Lord’s honours board.” To this, Harsha replied, “So whose loss is it: Sachin’s or the honours board’s?”
#3 The presence he had on and off the field
Every time Bhogle would be out there on the field he would carry himself with panache. Be it interviews or analysis he would dig deep into each one of them. He was well-respected as a person by officials, players, and other fellow commentators. He had the ability to raise the game to another level with his commentary.
Once Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar were batting together, Dhoni was tonking it to all parts of the ground and then Sachin stroked one beautifully through the covers to which Harsha remarked, “We have a surgeon at one end and a butcher at the other.”
#4 He had a brilliant knowledge of the game
Though Bhogle never played top level cricket unlike some of the other commentators, his knowledge about the game was praiseworthy. He used to bring in fresh insights into his commentary and pulled off statistics and anecdotes which only a true supporter of the game can.
He carefully chose his words so as to perfectly describe what was happening in the middle so that a person listening to his commentary only was able to say what is happening on the field of play.
#5 He was a brilliant interviewer
Not even the best of players could escape the clutches of Bhogle when he was in the mood to ask questions. He often placed himself in the shoes of the fans and posed questions that the followers of the game would have loved to ask. He also had a great sense of humour and would often surprise the cricketer with the questions.
He also had a great sense of humour when conversing with co-commentators. Once Nasser Hussain had asked him about when he would get to see India playing in the FIFA World Cup, to which he had replied: “It’s better not to participate then getting knocked out of the first round.”
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