Jhakas

KRISH, JUST KISS!

The overall quality of TV commentary has drawn nationwide attention, frequently more than the game itself. Anyone and everyone is talking about it – all the time. Most of the TV commentators have risen from relative obscurity, but should be headed for oblivion, given the overall response across the country.

A snapshot on the principal characters :

1. MANDIRA BEDI

Mandira Bedi is the Official Cartoon of the channel with all and sundry cracking jokes at her expense. And she was supposed to bring the “family” in – whatever that means. But she is trying hard and the only word associated with her (given her sponsor announcement duty) is BOXER (well done, Bajaj). She does look pretty intimidating with her noodle-spaghetti or straw or whatever straps which amply demonstrate her Sardarni muscles. And despite her enthusiastic “Greggie,” she should stop pontificating on the game – it hurts when she starts getting analytical. It’s like Laloo Yadav commenting on the IT and software sector meltdown.

VERDICT: She’s “Vogue” on the outside, and vague on the inside.

2. CHARU SHARMA

Charu Sharma has to be given the prize for Poker Face of the Year, the way he valiantly holds proceedings without cracking up.

Charu’s “Dil Chahta Hai” haircut is unwittingly cute, but he is much more of an aggressive moderator (read: he interrupts people when they go off target with a straight-face) than the smiling friendly neighborhood Harsha Bhogle. Charu has been taking a more striking posture, as he is aware of the fact that Extraaa Innings is just that – Extra. Or shall we say Extra-Ordinary.

VERDICT: Charu Sharma is at his wit’s end – and it hasn’t taken him long to get there. And despite his haircut, he is doing a great job.

3. KAPIL DEV

Kapil Dev does not know whether “he is coming, or going.” With due respects to the great Jat, but he is exceedingly funny and a source of acute discomfiture with his newly found quixotic Scottish twang in his Haryanvi accent. While it is unfair to expect Kapil Dev to give a Dale Carnegie public speaking session, it is recommended that on TV he is not playing “gully” cricket.

VERDICT: Kapil Dev is supposed to overwhelm us. He underwhelms us.

4. RAVI SHASTRI

Ravi Shastri, makes his deep voice further baritone to stand out amongst the general mediocrity, but even he calls Ashish Nehra someone else, and believes the batsman is out, when action replay clearly shows otherwise. Ravi Shastri is a good commentator, but has become pompous and presumptuous. It shows in his judgmental attitude.

VERDICT: Let off more steam, than esteem.

5. KRISH SRIKANTH

Krishnamachari Srikanth has been seemingly restrained of late, but that’s perhaps because his moustache is coming in the way. Kris, should remember that when jabbering endlessly, he should take a pregnant pause, and then further ejaculate his pearls of faux pas. It’s KISS, (Keep It Short, Stupid) Krish. He should learn from Sidhu.

VERDICT: He is too busy learning the tricks of the trade, to learn the trade itself.

6. TONY GREIG

Tony Greig, called “Greggie” is the only one who is combining substance with occasional frivolousness.

VERDICT: Let’s have more of him, even if he is sometimes overbearing.

7. VENKATESH PRASAD

At least he speaks faster than he bowls! Unfortunately, although he bowled straight, his speech has a zigzag element to it.

VERDICT: No comments.