Telecast in India is unwatchable

(from TOI...28/apr/07..)

by Steve Waugh, Former Captain of Australia (...And my role model)


I am leaving India tonight after a few days in Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. There is no doubt that the enthusiasm for cricket in general and the World Cup in particular has diminished. It’s a direct reaction to India’s exit from the World Cup, so I hope that once India win a few games, the passion and interest will reach fever pitch again.

However, the custodians of the game in India must protect it against the over-commercialisation taking place on television. It is annoying, ridiculous and an insult to the game to see an advertisement being squeezed in just because the bowler has not reached the top of his run-up. The telecast in India is unwatchable, and since I was watching the game at a bar with a few others, I could see that I was not the only one put off by the advertisements. Youngsters are missing out on vital commentary, since most comments are cut off the minute an over is called, or when a wicket falls. These are not good signs for Indian cricket, and somebody needs to protect the game from becoming devalued in this manner. Everybody must remember that the advertisers are there to promote the game, the game cannot be reduced to a vehicle that promotes the advertisers.




Hope this pinches the Indians and we wake up from our slumber...