Dilip Vengsarkar was a fine batsman, not a great one. Because of his proximity to former BCCI president Sharad Pawar, he held important positions. He was the chief Talent Recruiting Development Officer of the BCCI and then became the chairman of the national selection committee. During his tenure in the latter capacity he wanted to continue to write his highly paid syndicated newspaper column, to which the BCCI refused permission. Though he complained of a major financial loss, he continued as chairman because the last thing he could afford to do was to either embarrass Pawar or, for that matter, take him on.
When Sunil Gavaskar had to make a choice between his career as a broadcaster and columnist and a position on the International Cricket Council (ICC), he chose the former because it is far more lucrative.
Former Indian cricketers have learnt quickly that there is money to be earned and constant exposure on television, by jumping on to the bandwagon. The more the merrier seems to be the philosophy, as also a common belief that there is enough money to be shared.
However, cricket lovers would have found it acceptable if someone like Vengsarkar had become an expert on Marathi television. Since there is no limit to ambition he decided to have his say in English. Hence, he accepted the challenge of becoming an expert in the recent ODI series between India and Sri Lanka.
Put alongside the former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath – articulate and enlightened – Vengsarkar looked out of depth, especially because of his limitations in expressing himself in English. Of course, to the detriment of viewers he will continue to persist as a television expert and because of his status as a cricketer will be invited. As this sports television channel has a stranglehold on Indian cricket, the viewer has no choice. A case of like it or lump it.
A simple suggestion – why not replace Vengsarkar with Anil Kumble? He probably has the best modulated style of speaking among all former cricketers. It would be a pleasure to hear him and be spared the agony of Vengsarkar’s attempts to speak in English. Making three Test hundreds at Lord’s unfortunately does not help improve one’s diction and vocabulary in English!
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