BGT Series generating massive hype for players, coaches and commentators

These are interesting times for cricket around the world. One thing which stands out, this has become a non-stop sport. If it is not being played in one part of the globe, then in some other part it is definitely throbbing with action. Sample this, the hype over the BGT Series, which has been named after two men who defined the best moments in Test cricket, Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. Look at the hype over the commentary star cast, be it Fox Sports or Star, it is a virtual star parade of sorts. To hear each one of them wax eloquently on the five Tests will be enriching for fans. And the best part, nowadays, there is less rancour among these commentators as they rub shoulders so often at various events.

Indeed, there have been some controversies already stirred up by the commentators, notably Gavaskar talking of a possible Rishabh Pant return to Delhi Capitals when the young man Delhi from was actually in the middle of nets in Perth! That there was an instant reply from Pant’s X (Twitter) handle that his leaving DC in the IPL was not just about money made a few things clear. These days, cricket is not about players being submissive to a franchise. Players value self esteem and also do not like to be bossed around. What prompted Gavaskar to suggest Pant would return to Delhi is not clear, but he cannot get away with such comments. Reactions to it have been extreme.

To be sure, the commentators are also under scrutiny. It does not matter if you have been Little Master or done incredible stuff as a player. Now, SMG is judged for what he says on the microphone or writes. It’s definitely heard and anything shrill will invite quick reactions from other commentators as well and the potent social media. So, Gavaskar being Gavaskar may still have a ‘go’ at a few players during the BGT Series, but he will be judged. After all, a commentator has to be free of bias.

What was also interesting to read is how Ricky Ponting, a former Aussie captain who is now with Punjab Kings (IPL) will be doing a brief commentary stint in Perth before he flies out to Saudi Arabia for the IPL auction. Ponting did stir the hornet’s nest when he had mentioned about coach Gautam Gambhir and it got misunderstood. Ponting was not trying to needle Gambhir, it was the other way around. What is important, someone like Ponting is relevant in the cricket system, even so many years after his retirement. And if you look at respect being bestowed on Indians in the commentary booth, the Aussies are more than happy to have one of the best analysts on air with them, Ravi Shastri. Shastri was part of the 2021 series as coach where India won against all odds. Plus, even before, when he was director, cricket operations, Shastri had earned massive respect from all quarters.

If Ponting will be cutting short his trip to Australia, the same goes for coach Daniel Vettori, who is the bowling coach for Australia. He will also be flying to Saudi Arabia for the auction as he is coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad. If some Indian had done this, he would have been hauled over the coals. No, not for Vettori, who will be in Saudia and then return to Australia. What this tells you is cricket’s ecosystem sees a massive overlap and there is scope in it for co-existence. It is only the BCCI which believes it should be a control freak. If not, why will there be so many rules and regulations. Surely, the BCCI still does not allow players and coaches it contracts the liberty to do more things. They could learn a lesson from the Aussies, since a national coach being allowed to go for an auction in the middle of a series is unusual. In India, the rules are hard, a national coach cannot be with a franchise. If money be the reason for tying down a cricketer or coach, that’s debatable. For that matter, Indian players who figure in the IPL cannot be part of other global T20 leagues. And this, while team owners can buy franchises abroad, notably South Africa.

It will take time for such things to change but life is definitely much better than before for cricketers, past and present. The BGT Series is hyped massively, and at the same time the IPL auction has created a buzz. As for the drama over the Champions Trophy, that merits a different piece on a different day.