Best Commentator in Cricket 2024 | Top 10 list

Cricket commentary has grown by leaps and bounds with the new-age narrators bringing in much more colour and vigour to the forefront. While the debate of the best commentator in cricket 2024 is inconclusive, many names, from Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri to Tom Moody and Simon Doul, are up for contention.

Gone are the days when the black and white television screens were accompanied by monotonous voices that vividly described every movement on the field. However, with white-ball and night cricket getting more prominent than ever and the broadcasting platforms introducing innovative cameras to bring the game right into the living room, the need for animated commentary is paramount.

Here we list the 10 best cricket commentators who have created a niche for themselves from behind the microphone.         

1. Harsha Bhogle

Popularly known as the ‘voice of cricket”, Harsha Bhogle started his commentary stint way back in the early 1990s when he was the first Indian to be invited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) during India's series just before the 1992 World Cup. It kickstarted Bhogle’s career as he was soon seen presenting cricket live on ESPN Star Sports. He was the top name when the Indian Premier League started and he covered all matches from 2009 until 2016 when a fallout with the board got his contract terminated.

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Over the years, Bhogle has hosted many shows like Out of the Box with Harsha Bhogle and the more popular "Harsha ki khoj", that aimed at finding India’s next commenting talent. India’s 2011 World Cup-winning saw Bhogle anchoring the pre and post-match shows. Known for his comprehensive and engaging narration, Bhogle has a wide fan base all around the world for his knack for turning cricket stats into beautifully descriptive stories. The Indian legend holds authenticity for his unbiased commentary regardless of the teams playing, which has enhanced the cricketing experience through television.

2. Ravi Shastri

If Bhogle is labelled as the “Voice of Cricket”, Ravi Shastri is fondly called the “Voice of Indian Cricket”, since his iconic lines - “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lifted the World Cup after 28 years…”

Shastri started as a TV commentator in 1995 with the World Masters Tournament in Mumbai and has never looked back. Even today, his iconic voice narrating the TV show Super Spells is aired by some channels. Sunil Gavaskar and him ended their long-running association with ESPN Star Sports with the advent of IPL and they have since been popular voices in the richest T20 league in world cricket.

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Shastri has been quite fortunate sitting behind the mic on some of India’s momentous occasions in cricket. Whether it be India’s 2007 T20 World Cup win over Pakistan that is fondly remembered through his words, “In the air, Sreesanth takes it, India wins! Unbelievable scenes here at the bull ring!”, or Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes against England’s Stuart Broad in the same tournament, “... Six sixes in an over. Yuvraj Singh finishes things in style”, Shastri is synonymous with the Indian cricket team’s success to the world.

3. Wasim Akram

The “Sultan of Swing”, as Wasim Akram is famously called in the cricket world, is quite a popular figure in the commentary box for his profound bowling knowledge. His sharp insights and calm demeanour make the former World Cup-winning Pakistan bowler a delight behind the mic.

Akram swiftly got busy with television post-retirement as ESPN Star Sports grabbed him up for his unique understanding of the game. He has also been a regular for ARY Digital during matches. Until India banned Pakistan citizens a few years back, Akram was a popular face during the IPL as well. Apart from that, he has also done commentary on tournaments like the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup in Australia, the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 hosted by England, the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa as well as the 2011 ICC World Cup being held in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

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The former Pakistan bowler is also seen in between innings on the ground with the presenters explaining swing bowling to the viewers, which has received a lot of appreciation from fans.

4. Ian Smith

The former New Zealand cricketer had moved to a banking job after retirement before springing life into cricket commentary. Ian Smith started his career with Radio Live Sports for the breakfast show before Sky Sports roped him in to commentate on cricket and rugby matches. Smith can be distinguished from a crowd owing to his lively voice and unusual enthusiasm, which has always managed to capture the drama on the field.

Smith has worked as a commentator on many major ICC events, with the most recent being the 2024 T20 World Cup. England’s famous win against New Zealand after tying the game during the 2019 ODI World Cup is immortalized in Smith’s iconic lines, “... “by the barest of margins, the barest of all margins”. Ian Smith has also been seen in the UK’s Test Match Special during  New Zealand’s tour of England.

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5. Nasser Hussain

The former England cricket captain was always destined to be a cricket commentator owing to his fierce and opinionated views on opponents during his playing days. Hence, it was no surprise to see Nasser Hussain being confirmed a part of Sky’s star cast commentary panel within hours of his retirement.

Presenting the panel of Hussain, Bob Willis, David Gower and Ian Botham, Sky host Vic Wakeling famously said, “We now have the most experienced line-up ever seen in a commentary box… Four former England captains with over 400 Tests, 20,000 runs, and 700 wickets between them – and each is a former Wisden Cricketer of the Year.”asser Hussain

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With his vast experience as a top side’s captain for years, Hussain adds a nuanced analysis of the action on the cricket field with his usual candid manner, which has dragged him into numerous controversies over the years.

6. Lisa Sthalekar

From being left at an orphanage by her Indian parents to winning the World Cup with the Australian Women’s Cricket team, the story of Lisa Sthalekar has been nothing short of a fairytale.

The explosive all-rounder was popular for her sharp off-spin bowling and brutal hitting prowess all the while changing her temperaments across the various formats of the game. The Australian great won the ICC Women’s Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 apart from winning the ICC Women’s T20 Player of the Year in 2012.

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The broadcasters weren’t such a wealth of experience and she became a commentator as soon as she hung her boots. Sthalekar’s clear analysis of the tactical aspects of teams makes her a popular figure in the commentary box. 

7. Simon Doull

Yet another former New Zealand cricketer, who was lapped by the television soon after he retired from the field, Simon Doull is revered for his funny persona on camera. The former fast bowler provides subtle insights during a match, mostly related to the bowling tactics and field placements.

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Doull is known to work as a commentator for New Zealand’s popular Magic Talk and he was also a part of The Rock radio station’s Morning Rumble team for a long time. Among the very few pundits who have held a commentary contract with the IPL since the inaugural is Simon Doull, with his most recent outing being the 2024 T20 World Cup.

8. Tom Moody

A two-time World Cup winner with Australia, Tom Moody has been around the cricket circuit for a very long now. He had swiftly taken a coaching role post-retirement, which evolved into a director of cricket position soon. Moody’s plethora of experience as a player, coach as well as and administrator made him a priceless addition to the commentary box in the late 2000s.

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He started his career by covering Australian Test matches and ODIs for popular broadcasters Channel Nine in his home country as well as the Big Bash League for Channel Ten. Though he takes up coaching and consultancy roles from time to time, he has been a regular presence in the commentary box during Australia’s domestic season. 

9. Michael Atherton

A perfect example of a grumpy Englishman whose cricketing career was littered with numerous controversies and rude remarks, Mike Atherton couldn’t have been successful in anything post his retirement if not a commentator. However, Atherton had to earn that role through struggle as well.

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Atherton didn’t rest on his laurels after hanging his boots but soon joined The Sunday Telegraph as a journalist. Soon he started climbing the ranks and was a part of the Channel 4 commentary team between 2002 and 2005. This period also saw Atherton commentating for BBC Radio and Talksport, thus covering Tests both in and outside England.

Sky Sports roped him in 2005 where he joined hands with compatriot Nasser Hussain, David Gower and David Lloyd to cover Tests in England. Atherton has long been known for his perseverance and it paid off when he was awarded the “Sports Journalist of the Year” in 2010 and the “Sports Writer of the Year” the following year.