India cricketer Dinesh Karthik is being seen in a new role since the Indian Premier League and instead of a cricket bat, he has held a mic these days. He opened up about commentary and said it's easier than playing the game but this role has its challenges.
Karthik got the opportunity to commentate alongside the likes of Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton. He was part of the commentary panel for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.
“Actually, I was the only debutant of that final,” he said. Karthik will be joining the commentary panel for India's Test series against England, after working in the limited-overs series between Sri Lanka and England.
“I did that and it went pretty well," he said on his stint with Sky Sports in February-March when England toured India. "That is when I got the opportunity to do commentary and I decided to go for it. The mindset was just to speak about whatever little I know about the game,” he further said.
ALSO READ: WATCH - Dinesh Karthik apologises for ‘bats are like neighbour’s wife’ live-on-air comment
The 36-year-old is currently an active cricketer and he wants to change the perception in India towards this role. Commentary in India is seen as a post-retirement option for the ex-cricketers.
“There are a lot of other sports like basketball and football where current players come on air when they are not playing.
“Even now during the Sri Lanka-England T20s, James Anderson was doing it for BBC in the next room. So it is a normal thing, it is only in India I think it is considered like that (post-retirement option).
“I obviously want to break that stereotype to an extent and I am happy to do this when I am not playing.”
Before making his commentary debut, Karthik had the opportunity to spend time with Sunil Gavaskar and he got a few tips from the India cricket great, who has a lot of experience having worked as a commentator for a long time.
“I am extremely lucky that it happened. He gave me a few tips (on commentating) and it went well. More than the tips, the time I spent with him was very enlightening and enriching.
“It was also a lovely country and Sunny bhai and I got to meet the Serbian cricket team which was very interesting.”
(With PTI inputs)
