There is no doubt that cricket is in a great time, with several leagues popping up around the world, injecting a lot of cash into the game. However, we aren't here today to discuss the business side of the game.
Known as a 'Game of Uncertainty', cricket has produced many iconic moments. Each iconic moment would not be complete without iconic voices behind it in the commentary box. There are many voices in cricket at the moment that can make you sit and watch the whole five-day cricket match with enthusiasm.
Today, we are here to tell you about those magicians with words. Here are the top five pundits in cricket at the moment.
#.5 Ian Bishop
A scary, tall fast bowler when he was playing, Ian Bishop never shied away from adding pressure to the batsman with his mouth. The Caribbean giant bowler played 127 matches for the West Indies.
Having retired in 1997, Bishop went into punditry and has become a major name in the field. He is a big name and is always in the punditry boxes of big events like Ashes, IPL, World Cups and others. He is on the Star Sports IPL panel and is likely to appear on the Sky Sports Ashes panel.
#4. Harsha Bhogle
Bhogle is one of the first individuals in the cricket media industry to break the stereotype that only ex-cricketers can become good pundits. Bhogle did not play any cricket at the highest levels in India. He only played until the university level.
When he was 19 years old, Bhogle began commentating for All India Radio. During the 1992 World Cup, he became the first Indian pundit invited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
His cricket expertise has taken him to networks around the world including ABC Network, Seven Networks, Channel 9, Sky Sports, ESPN, and other networks around the world. Harsha Bhogle is also known as the 'Voice of Cricket'.
#3. Ian Smith
The former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith was an outstanding wicketkeeper for the black caps and played a major part in the development of New Zealand cricket in the early stages. After retiring in 1992, he stepped into the punditry box. Now, he's one of cricket's favourite voices and his witty moment's trend online.
Although many fans know Ian Smith for his cricket, he is also an expert in the field of banking, which he took up just after retiring. It is impossible to imagine New Zealand cricket without his punditry. After 23 years with Sky Sports, Smith said goodbye this year to move into independent television.
#2. Mark Nicholas
Similarly to Harsha Bhogle, Mark Nicholas is a name that didn't make it big in cricket but became a star in cricket broadcasting. He played for Hampshire from 1978 to 1995. He became an instant sensation when he turned to punditry.
Starting out with Sky Sports, he covered county matches and England's matches, but he slowly became a part of all the major cricket events. From World Cups to Series, Mark Nicholas became a name which cannot be missed.
In the iconic EA Sports Cricket 07 game also, his voice was used as a commentator. Sky Sports will likely feature him again during the Ashes series.
#1. Ravi Shastri
The number of cricketers who are both successful pundits and successful cricketers is very rare, but there is only one name who is a successful cricketer, a successful pundit, and a successful coach. Ravi Shastri has excelled in all areas he has stepped into. In 1992, after playing his last game, Shastri began commentating.
He was an extravagant cricketer who never shied away from expressing his emotions. In the punditry box also, Shastri is also known for his bold views.
His voice is indispensable in Indian cricket, whether it be the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 World Cup or Yuvraj Singh's six sixes, it isn't complete without him. Due to his coaching assignment with Indian Cricket from 2016 to 2021, he took a short break but has now returned to the punditry box.
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