Published: Jul 29, 2015, 05:19 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 29, 2015, 05:19 PM (IST)
Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar celebrated 25-years into full time cricket commentary on Wednesday, with India’s first Test against England at Lord’s in 1990 being his first match into the new role in cricket. While Mohammed Azharuddin’s Indians were stretching to get past England’s massive 653 for four declared which included a triple century from Captain Graham Gooch, it was Gavaskar’s only third day into ball-by-ball commentary and he was indeed lucky to make his debut in the commentary box along with the microphone legend Richie Benaud. READ: David Warner, Steve Smith out early on Day 1 of 3rd Ashes 2015 Test at Edgbaston
In a recent interview, the former Indian opener admitted that cricket commentary was never in his mind. However, when he began with it, he made sure he did it whole heartedly. Also, he again repeated that it was Benaud who was very helpful with his wise guidelines and tips.
“You have to be neutral when on air. Benaud was the one who told me that there is no ‘we us and them’ in TV commentary. So while I have made observations, they have not necessarily been only for the Indian cricket team. I did ruffle a few feathers at the 2008 Sydney Test where it was an attempt to point out the double standards employed then,” Gavaskar said. READ: Virat Kohli’s decision to play for India-A justified despite low score in 1st innings
When the former Australian cricketer passed away last April, Gavaskar wrote in a tribute: “He taught me when to speak, when to pause and some of the subtleties of live TV commentary. If all of us could be as detached as Richie was during commentary then none of the home team bias would come through in the commentary.”
