Mar 24, 2003 11:56 AM
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(Updated Mar 24, 2003 11:56 AM)
There are not two ways about it. The commentators at Sony Max would receive a unanimous vote for being the real losers at the grand cricket finale. And no, it is not Mandira Bedi who is at fault. The woman was merely responsible for ''presenting'' a commentary show; not giving a ringside view from the commentary box at the Wanderers. Pinning her at the crosshairs is unfair. She performed her role with as much aplomb as she could muster. Unlike many in the box!
At fault here are the Ravi Shastris and Sanjay Manjrekars and most everybody up there mouthing insipid homilies constantly. A classic favourite being, ''Sachin needs to go out there and play his game.'' Then there is, ''What India needs here, is a wicket!'' Or, ''There is too much pressure on the players!'' Like we didn't know it already, all this is said in the tone of imparting wisdom nuggets.
The same infinite wisdom also helps them know what's on the captain's mind, ''Ganguly must be thinking how to restrict their total.'' And they can venture a guess about the atmosphere in the changing room being, ''tense''. This is will invariably be followed by a lecture on how the players must not lose their cool, blah blah blah.
The problem of restricting their comments to the obvious would not escalate had they at least varied their statements even a bit. But, you will invariably catch the same stock phrases piling up since the day retired cricketers took to the box: he is a good striker of the ball; they need to put more pressure on the (opposing side), he will try to rotate the strike; that's a copybook shot (for most any stroke); the ball is coming on to the bat; and so on.
Though all this is true of the commentary during any match, their optimism and fool hardiness reached the zenith at the finals. When the Aussies were one wicket short of victory and Ricky Ponting's grinning mug was plastered on the screen, the bumbling commentator was going on about their (Australia's) ''chances'' of winning'' and ''if and when...'' they win the World Cup. Nobody told him that the cup was as good as in their pocket. Unlike the Star Sports analysis where Harsha Bhogle was openly guffawing at Sunny Gawaskar's optimism even before the match started.
Even one commentator like Harsha could've provided a respite from the mindless banter from Sony's anchors. Surely, sticking with Sony MAX during the finale was a torture worse than watching the Indian cricket team being butchered by champions. And one can't help wish that the sorry fates befell the Indian commentating team instead.
