Ganguly starts second innings as commentator

Sourav Ganguly can hardly be kept out of action. Within a fortnight of returning from South Africa, he has been in the news for a number of reasons.

He is busy as ever as a columnist in the print media. He has already been well accepted by not just his fans but in the cricketing fraternity for his unique crisp style of writing.

Businessman by birth, construction is going on in full scale for the six storeyed building where he plans to start a ICSE board school despite agitation from localites fearing traffic congestion.

Now, he has again made headlines with the news that the ESPN – Star Sports has approached him with an offer to join as commentator for the upcoming Champions League Twenty 20 tournament. It is well known that Sourav is interested in donning the cap of a commentator and the media houses are leaving no stone unturned to get him onboard. And why not? Sourav is still a star and the TRP ratings will definitely get a fillip with the dynamic Dada joining. With Sidhu busy with politics and Geoffrey Boycott unavailable, Sourav will surely add a new lease of life to the commentary team of Gavaskar, Shashti, Ramiz Raja and others. In all likelihood, he is also demanding a higher fee than most of them. Herschelle Gibbs may also join this time.

Recently after the IPL, Sourav in his usual acerbic style dismissed some of the former cricketers-turned-commentators as ordinary and immature. He will surely be out there to prove a point and I eagerly look forward to his new avatar.

Eight teams are vying for the trophy in the December Champion’s League. The Champion’s League Twenty-20 matches will be held in three cities—Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. Sourav will make his debut in the match between Rajasthan Royals and Dolphins (South Africa), which happens to be the match number 2 and going to be held in the cyber city of Bangalore. If everything goes according to the plan, we will again get Sourav as a commentator for the second edition of ICC World Twenty-20 tournament in England, September next year.

Apart from commentary, Sourav is also said to be planning to host talk show called “Dadagiri” for one of the regional Bengali channels. “So far I know, I have to conduct a quiz show,” leading Bengali daily Ananda Bazar Patrika quoted Ganguly.

So be ready to listen to the one and only Dada of international cricket in Star Cricket.

UPDATE:

Ganguly confirming that he will join ESS from the semi-final stage, said he was excited about his new role, which also comprises interacting with his former teammates.

“I look forward to interviewing my erstwhile teammates. I am very excited about my new role as the ICC World Twenty20 is the biggest event for an analyst like me and I look forward to the semi-finals and the final where I will be commencing my stint with ESS,” he said.

RC Venkateish, managing director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. said Ganguly’s uncanny ability to read match situations made him fit for the job.

“Sourav is recognised by the cricket fraternity globally as one of the shrewdest captains in the history of the game?” combined with his extraordinary leadership skills his uncanny ability to read match situations gave the national team a defining edge during his tenure.

“His analysis and his understanding of the modern day game will now lend a new dimension to the overall experience in the commentary box,” he added.

Many of the more ardent fans of Dada wishes the Bengal southpaw good luck on his new role but look forward to seeing him in a bigger role in the next IPL and then take up a coaching job someday.

However, I believe Dada will be a grand success in the commentary box and this will be a solid start to his second innings.