“Hindi Commentary or Fan Club? When Cricket Takes a Backseat in the Commentary Box”

Hindi Commentary

Hindi Commentary used to be the eye for all the Indian fans who did not have the TV to watch it live, but as time passed by, the commentary of Hindi started to decline after social media when commentary started being PR for big names and stopped being talked about the real cricket.

Cricket commentary enhances the viewing experience, offering expert analysis, tactical insights, and storytelling that connects the audience to the game.

However, Hindi commentary, which was once seen as a way to bring the sport closer to regional audiences, has now become a source of frustration for many cricket lovers.

Instead of enriching the experience, some commentators have turned it into a mix of personal fan clubs, exaggerated praises, and off-topic banter that barely discusses what’s happening on the field.

The Decline of Hindi Commentary: More Hype, Less Analysis

A major complaint from viewers is that Hindi commentators often stray away from discussing the actual match. While the English panel offers a deep analysis of field placements, bowling variations, and technical flaws in a batsman’s approach, their Hindi counterparts often indulge in unnecessary poetic lines, personal anecdotes, or over-the-top admiration for certain players.

This has led to a frustrating experience where the viewers are left clueless about crucial aspects of the game. The role of a commentator is to educate and inform. Still, instead of discussing strategies or explaining technical details, many Hindi commentators appear more interested in glorifying particular players, most notably MS Dhoni.

Obsession with Big Names: The Dhoni And Virat Kohli Syndrome

It has become an ongoing joke among fans that certain Hindi commentators will find a way to mention MS Dhoni regardless of which match is happening.

While Dhoni is undoubtedly one of India’s greatest cricketers, the excessive obsession with him—even when he is not playing feels forced and unnecessary.

In particular, Akash Chopra and Ambati Rayudu have been called out for frequently steering discussions toward Dhoni as if they are part of a PR campaign rather than a neutral commentary team.

This bias takes away the essence of good commentary and does a disservice to the players actually performing on the field. Instead of focusing on a young player’s achievements or a bowler’s exceptional spell, the conversation often drifts into nostalgia and unwarranted praise for certain former stars.

We have often seen Virat Kohli being over-aggressive and insulting some players, which is not great for a legendary cricketer. Last season, he abused and was aggressive when he took the catch of Rachin Ravindra’s amazing innings in IPL, but that time, the commentators praised him for his aggressive behavior.

Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Never-Ending Poetry: The Most Irritating Distraction

If there’s one thing that makes Hindi commentary even more unbearable, it’s the excessive and irrelevant poetry of Navjot Singh Sidhu. Instead of providing insightful analysis or discussing match situations, Sidhu often interrupts the flow of commentary with his exaggerated shayaris and irrelevant one-liners.

Fans have long complained that his constant poetic interruptions make it difficult to focus on the actual match. Whether it’s a crucial moment in the game or a player’s technical flaw that needs discussion, Sidhu often hijacks the conversation with his over-the-top analogies and dramatic storytelling.

His poetic style might have been entertaining in small doses, but when it dominates the commentary, it becomes an unnecessary distraction rather than an enhancement.

Unsurprisingly, many serious cricket fans reach for the mute button when Sidhu is in the commentary box. Cricket commentary should be about cricket—not a stage for stand-up poetry.

When Hindi Commentary Was Actually About Cricket

Hindi commentary was once respected for its in-depth cricket discussions. Veteran commentators like Sushil Doshi, Jasdev Singh, and Ravi Chaturvedi focused on explaining the technical aspects of the game in a way that even casual listeners could understand.

They described field placements, bowling variations, and the importance of each match phase rather than indulging in unnecessary hype or fan-driven narratives.

These commentators never treated their role as a place to promote their personal favorites. Instead, they ensured the viewers got an accurate picture of what was happening on the field.

Whether it was analyzing a fast bowler’s run-up or a batsman’s stance, the old-school Hindi commentators had a genuine passion for cricket, not just for individual players.

This approach helped Hindi-speaking audiences develop a deeper understanding of the game. Unlike today, where commentary is often about PR and unnecessary theatrics, the past era of Hindi commentary was built on substance and knowledge-sharing.

Missed Opportunity: Legends Who Fail to Educate

One of the biggest disappointments in Hindi commentary is that the audience gets very little technical insight despite having legendary cricketers in the panel.

Names like Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Ambati Ryadu bring immense cricketing knowledge. Still, instead of deep analysis, the commentary is filled with jokes, random discussions, and an informal approach that fails to educate young fans about the game’s finer points.

In contrast, English commentators like Harsha Bhogle, Ian Bishop, and Michael Atherton are known for breaking down game situations, predicting strategies, and providing well-balanced insights. Even if they praise a player, it is backed by meaningful analysis rather than just emotional admiration.

Why Does This Happen? The Entertainment Over Analysis Approach

This decline could be the belief that Hindi audiences prefer entertainment over analysis. Broadcasters might be under the impression that adding dramatic elements and casual banter attracts more viewers.

While this might be true for some casual fans, dedicated cricket enthusiasts feel they are deprived of an informative and insightful experience.

The shift from expert commentary to exaggerated storytelling has frustrated Hindi-speaking cricket lovers. Commentary should complement the game, not overshadow it with irrelevant chatter and glorified narratives about certain players.

The Need for Change: More Cricket, Less Drama

It’s high time that Hindi commentators understand their responsibility. Viewers deserve insightful discussions about the game rather than personal opinions and forced glorification of big names. The role of a commentator is to add value to the match, not turn the commentary box into a fan club.

Broadcasters must recognize this issue and ensure that future Hindi commentary teams bring more depth, analysis, and cricketing knowledge to their discussions. Otherwise, fans will continue to mute the Hindi commentary and switch to English—or worse, completely ignore it.

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