Indian ex-cricketer Harbhajan Singh reacted to the growing grouse regarding the Hindi commentary standard in cricket. The outrage over the quality of Hindi commentary of cricket matches was triggered by a video posted by a fan on X (formerly Twitter). The ensuing viral video lamented that the new trend of commentary and the way it was being done were inferior to when the veteran commentators were on duty.
The fan was nostalgically remembering the days when Maninder Singh, Arun Lal, and Sushil Doshi used to get hired to comment in Hindi, enlightening more to the masses about the game. It is different from the criticism of the fan to current commentary standards and attributing the reason for it to language abuse and lack of analysis.
“We Will Work on It” – Harbhajan’s Response
Harbhajan Singh, the erstwhile Hindi commentary panel member who shared the stage with the likes of Virender Sehwag, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Ambati Rayudu, welcomed the criticism. In the now-popular post, Harbhajan had posted, “Thank you for the feedback. We will work on it.” His blunt but professional tweet indicated that the feedback had been accepted and steps could be taken to enhance the Hindi commentary viewing experience for the audience.
Thank you for the input . We will work on it 🙏🎙️ https://t.co/tk4m2km6Ga
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 25, 2025
The row intensified to another notch when even the social media platforms were filled with the same thoughts, calling for a return to wiser and more intellectual commentary that elevates the people’s consciousness regarding the game.
The Evolution of Hindi Commentary in Cricket
Hindi commentaries also played an important role in propagating cricket to a broader section of Indians. Commentators Maninder Singh, Arun Lal, and Sushil Doshi provided commentating analysis for the first time, providing readable Hindi to impress those audiences who utilized their mother tongue more than the English language. Their commentary disseminated education to the next generation of cricket lovers about the aspects of the game.
In spite of that, the new panel trends and presentation changes have had their critics. While there are a couple of individuals who welcome the star pull introduced to the commentary box by seasoned cricket faces, there are others who ridicule the tone as too air-brained and autocratic. There have also been grievances that sporadic employment of Hinglish (mixture of Hindi and English) leaves people bewildered and technical cricket trivia redundant for non-English speakers.
The Contribution of Ex-Cricketers towards Commentaries
While the retired cricketers have taken up the commentator’s seat, balance of Hindi sports journalism has been lost. Though they do own a first-hand experience which is wealth to commentary, not every good player must be a good orator. It feels that while it is pleasant to have cricket legends like Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, and Navjot Singh Sidhu present, classic commentaries lack technicality and brevity of words.
Experts believe that entertainment and commentary news have to be balanced. Sarcasm and sarcastic jokes excite the audience, but debates and discussions related to study also make the complexity of the games understandable to the fans.
How can Hindi Commentary be made Better?
Since the integration of Harbhajan Singh, deliberation has been on elevation of the quality to that of Hindi commentary. Some of the changes suggested by observers as well as analysts are:
- More Training via Commentaries: Even the veterans like retired cricket players can be trained to comment professionally so that they become right presenters.
- Solicitation-based and Formalized Pattern: The comment patches can be on a formalized pattern along with entertainment and storytelling based on descriptive mode.
- Audience Feedback Systems: There are systems where audience feedback can be provided in real time such that the comments can be adjusted on the basis of the feedback so that the presentation becomes improved.
- Veteran and Contemporary Voices Combined: In the return of veteran commentators without any sign of relinquishing veteran players, the broadcaster is thus able to formulate a productive and timely panel.
Harbhajan Singh’s response to criticism is a sign of rising expectation for quality Hindi commentary of cricket. As the sport continues to captivate crores of Indian fans, the demand for crisp, interesting, and informative commentary cannot be overstated.
While the tempest is brewing on the social media horizon, only time will tell if sports channels will take the bull by the horns and boost levels of Hindi commentary to the heights of cricket viewing expectations. Till that time comes, the debate never rests—should entertainment trump cricket commentary, or be restored to its informative status?
A passionate writer, Niharika wants to create an impact as she believes that Journalism is not just a profession, but a passion to follow and live in. With a keen eye for storytelling and a commitment to impactful writing. she strives to inform, engage, and inspire through the pieces that she crafts. Niharika has covered the 38th National Games, getting to know the lives of athletes and players closely. When not writing she is listening to music, or browsing through social media for more meaningful topics to cover.
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