For many of the ardent followers of cricket in India, Harsha is to commentary what Sachin is to Batting, especially for those following the game since the ‘90s. We all wanted to play like Sachin Tendulkar while growing up, but when we realised, we could not, the next best thing that we aspired was to be able to talk about the game like Harsha Bhogle does. He is one of the great romantics of the game and barring a few names, no one compliments the game better than his ever-charming, insightful voice, in the present era. He has the same enthusiasm every time he picks up the microphone that a child has when he discovers a new toy.
He has come a long way, having degrees of Engineering and post-grad from IIM Ahmedabad, initially starting with radio commentary, doing multiple cricket shows like Harsha online, Harsha unplugged and quiz shows, to now being in the elusive list of all-time great cricket commentators- a community that doesn’t readily accepts someone who has not played the game at the highest level. He adds so much more to the simple contest of bat and ball mainly because he is always aware of what’s going on in the rest of the world be it social, political or related to other sports, as he himself once said- “To be a commentator, you must have a life outside cricket too. If cricket is all that you know, you would not be a great commentator. “
While most of the commentators are found repeating clichés, Harsha always somehow comes up with something special and that moment gets etched to our memory. Just to jog our memory here are a few instances of Harsha’s quick-wit comments:
- On Rahul Dravid’ s purple patch:
“Ask him to walk on water and he will ask, How many kilometres“
- When Sachin played a beautiful straight drive off Ishant Sharma in an IPL match:
“Open the text book, turn to page 32“
- Rahul Dravid’s last T20 innings:
“For a career full of grace, charm, timing and poise, it was sad that it has to end with a slog. But that was once again, what the team just needed.“
- On the athleticism of diving Adam Gilchrist
“Some of the seagulls flying here are going to get a complex“
- Sachin and Dhoni’s partnership towards the end of Sachin’s double-century innings against South Africa
“We have a surgeon at one end and a butcher at another”
- Sachin got out to part time bowler Vaughan.
“Oh what a shame. It was reminiscent of a soldier who survived the war when all the bullets were flying by his nose and then got run over by a bicycle in his native town”
- Clark still standing his ground after being given out
“I think he is waiting for tomorrow’s newspaper to declare him out”
- Maxwell being aggressive from the get-go
“He just loves to storm through. I guess if he had a car, he would probably start it in 4th gear.”
- MS Dhoni’s streak of losing toss continues.
“MS Dhoni has yet again called for heads to the coin which has two tails“
- Ashwin’s running between the wickets
“Dhoni is extremely quick between the wickets and Ashwin- let’s just say he has other skills.”
- Sehwag gets yet another reprieve in the field
“It’s been that kind of a day. Today Sehwag can walk blindfolded across a busy highway and not get run over.”
- When Nasseer Hussain complained that even though it is an English pitch it’s favourable to Indian spinners and even crowd’s backing them
“Well we let you rule our nation for so many years. I believe that’s the least you can do for us.”
Today being his birthday, many from sports fraternity wished him on social media. We too wish Harsha many many happy returns of the day, may you continue to enthral us with your witty and insightful interpretation of the game and keep inspiring the generations of cricket enthusiasts.
Happy birthday @bhogleharsha!
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 19, 2022
Wishing you a year full of happiness & good health. May you continue to entertain everyone with your commentary for years to come. pic.twitter.com/LXyvgTyH4c
Wishing one of the most prominent cricket voices of our generation, who never fails to make us fall in love with his words and the game itself, @bhogleharsha, a very happy birthday. 🥳🙌#PlayBold pic.twitter.com/mMtKRdPWf8
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) July 19, 2022
In 2011, I had 24 followers. Someone told me to write a WC cricket question everyday which he would retweet, and he did.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) July 19, 2022
5 years ago he introduced me to a young man from Cricbuzz who was doing 'interesting things.'
Happy birthday @bhogleharsha – friend, guardian angel!
Here's wishing the broadcasting legend and the voice behind countless sporting moments, 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐁𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞, a very happy birthday from #OneFamily 💙
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 19, 2022
Tell us your favourite Harsha Bhogle anecdote 🎙️@ICC @bhogleharsha pic.twitter.com/X7Lyqk5sB8
Happiest Birthday @bhogleharsha , wishing you a lovely year ahead filled with good health and happiness!
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) July 19, 2022
Happy birthday to the young man in this video!
— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) July 19, 2022
Not aged a day @bhogleharsha 🎉
pic.twitter.com/HEDaHGnm8S
Happy birthday, @BhogleHarsha. Your celebrated voice has turned so many moments into magical ones. Wishing you great health, joy and happiness.
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) July 19, 2022
Wishing the man whose name is sysnonymous with cricket commentary, a very happy birthday!
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) July 19, 2022
Harsha Bhai thank you for bringing life to the story of the sport like none other. 🙏 @bhogleharsha
Happy birthday @bhogleharsha. Hope your year goes as smooth as your commentary. Lots of love always 😊🙏
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) July 19, 2022
Happiest birthday to one of the legends when it comes to describing the game in the most poetic way.
— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 19, 2022
Wish you the very best of everything @bhogleharsha! pic.twitter.com/2d1OIhIgln
Apki awaz yunhi sunai deti rahe jaise salo se sunai de rahi hai. Wishing you the best on your birthday @bhogleharsha bhai. Have a great one. pic.twitter.com/tLDG40G0Y7
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 19, 2022
And when you speak, all the visuals come together on the field. Wishing @bhogleharsha a very happy birthday have a great year ahead🎙😇#HappyBirthdayHarshaBhogle #RPSwing pic.twitter.com/U3tGluU4OB
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) July 19, 2022