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Much like how elite filmmakers flex their storytelling muscles behind the screen to ensure the on-screen stars shine brightest, commentators perform a similar role for sportstars. Considering the massive field of play involved in cricket, the commentator's role in bringing the viewers as close to the action as possible cannot be underestimated.
Cricket commentary has evolved from radio coverage until the early 1980s to television with numerous commentators continuing to find ways to entertain, engage, and educate the audiences.
The play-by-play commentators keep the viewer glued to the television screens, while color commentary tickles our brains through varied and nuanced perspectives, breakdowns, and analysis.
So often taken for granted, a commentator's value and the dimensions added by them to the game get its due recognition only in their absence than their omnipresence.
Much like fans have preferences toward batters, bowlers, fielders, and captains, a select list of commentators also enjoy such privileges, thanks to their outstanding work behind the mic.
And it is only fair we pay homage to the best commentators who have multi-folded our viewing experience over the years.
A top 10 ranking of a subjective topic like commentary can never be universal and it can often be like choosing between one's left and right eye. With the advent of the T20 format and numerous leagues worldwide, a vast list of commentators can claim to be in the top bracket from the infant stages of the sport to now.
Hence, for the sake of this discussion, the top 10 will focus more on television commentators from the post-white-ball era.
Yet, before we jump into it, here are a few that deserve honorable mentions for barely missing the cut.
Honorable Mentions:
Mike Haysman, Sunil Gavaskar, Michael Holding, Ian Smith, and Bill Lawry.
#10 Danny Morrison
Much like certain commentators are bestowed with tags like 'Voice of Cricket' or 'Voice of certain nations', former New Zealand pacer Danny Morrison is inarguably the 'Voice of T20 cricket'.
Morrison was an accomplished cricketer, picking up 286 international wickets for New Zealand across Tests and ODIs. Yet, his commentary in the shortest format, especially his play with acronyms while conducting the toss, has made him a fan-favorite in this T20-adoring era.
With his lively and exuberant voice, Morrison continues to lend his voice to some of the most popular T20 leagues around the globe like the IPL, PSL, CPL, and BPL. He also does commentary for New Zealand matches and a few other international matches, with one thing in mind - Never a dull moment when Danny Morrison is on a commentary stint.
Memorable line: He has moosed (moused?) that massive
#9 Ian Chappell
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has been one of the most respected voices worldwide, helping Channel Nine become a fan favorite during Australian matches. Never one to hold back, Chappell's straightforward takes without any masking has viewers glued to the TV screen and hanging on to his every word about a player or a team.
Being a successful captain and a legendary batter during the 1980s, 'Chappelli' brings a degree of astuteness and audacity to his commentary that engages like very few even if it occasionally ruffles feathers.
He is especially hard on touring English players and teams, adding another dimension to the fierce Ashes rivalry.
Memorable line: The last positive thing England did for cricket was to invent it
#8 Ian Bishop
It is not often that a commentator achieves the fine line between being highly opinionated and also universally respected and loved. Yet, former West Indian pacer Ian Bishop has managed to do both at an extremely high level.
Even in a country like India where stars are considered demi-gods and any criticism of them by commentators is met with hate, Bishop has earned massive respect and adulation during the IPL.
As the West Indies have trended south over the years, Bishop has been among the most vocal and unbiased without expressing extreme frustration and instead offering constructive analysis.
The now-56-year-old was in the commentary box during their twin T20 World Cup final wins and his 'Carlos Brathwaite! Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name!' after the 2016 triumph is among the most iconic moments in commentating history.
Memorable line: Carlos Brathwaite! Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name!
#7 Mark Nicholas
The ever-charming Mark Nicholas is next on the all-time commentators' list for his outstanding work over the past three decades. Nicholas is at the forefront of almost all the Ashes series for Channel Nine with his poetic narration style adding a flavor like very few.
The 66-year-old is popular for his voice in the EA Sports Cricket 07 game, introducing the matches at the start and commentating during them.
Furthermore, Nicholas travels across countries, lending his voice to several international series and the occasional T20 league.
Memorable line: One of the great balls, given the moment, given the batsman, and given the match, that is a staggering gamble that's paid off for Harmison
#6 Geoffrey Boycott
Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott is a one-of-one in the commentary box with his Yorkshire dialect and accent. His Mum and Grandmother references to criticize players and his brutally honest calls have earned him much respect in the cricketing sphere.
A purist by heart, Boycott is among the rare commentators who rates technique, temperament, and tradition over style, strokeplay, and flamboyance. His ability to break down the nuances of the sport and offer unique insights have made him a significant figure in the realm of broadcasting.
Yet, Boycott is also quick to reverse his opinion if warranted and offer praise to the same player he may have gone after if proven wrong. His friendly back-and-forth with Navjot Sidhu during the 2000s were a fan favorite during several India-England matches.
Memorable line: My grandmother could have played him with a stick of rhubarb
#5 Ravi Shastri
Mr. Tracer Bullet - Ravi Shastri is synonymous with punch lines that turn into social media jewels. Yet, there is more to Shastri than just that.
The former Indian all-rounder is arguably the voice of modern cricket with his ability to create excitement through his commentary even during snoozefest matches. Shastri's introduction of teams, captains, and match officials during the toss, while greeting the crowd, has a separate fan following around the country.
With an inimitable clarity in voice, Shastri packs a punch like very few have and perhaps will. Unfiltered in his words, his in-your-face presentation style works brilliantly in Test matches or the middle stages of an ODI when the on-field action may be slow-paced.
During his illustrious and three-decade-long commentary career, Shastri has been on the air during some of India's most iconic triumphs like the 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup finals.
Memorable line: 153/4, 153 all out; if someone went around the corner for a dump and has come back, India have been bowled out for 153
#4 Tony Cozier
Known as the voice of West Indies cricket, Tony Cozier has been involved in the extreme highs and the several lows of the side during his commentating tenure.
Cozier worked as a commentator for almost five decades, starting with radio commentary in a 1965 Test match between the West Indies and Australia. He was also a part of the BBC's Test Match Special commentary unit from 1966 and weaved magic with his voice for Australia's Channel Nine.
During his celebrated commentary career, Cozier commentated in all but one Wisden Trophy - Test series between England and the West Indies.
Renowned for his knowledge of numbers and statistics, Cozier sadly died in 2016 at age 75. He remains one of the rare commentators who has covered the sport from his infant stages to as late as 2014/15.
Memorable line: The Queen's Park Oval, exactly as its name suggests - absolutely round
#3 Harsha Bhogle
India's greatest commentator and the new-age voice of cricket, Harsha Bhogle comes in at No.3. Famous for his witty yet provoking one-liners, Harsha defines the tagline - 'Loved by all, hated by none'.
Despite not playing at the highest level, Harsha's ability to read the game and his unique storytelling skills while remaining diplomatic and respectful made him popular even outside India.
He was the first Indian commentator to be invited by the Australian broadcasting channel before the 1992 ODI World Cup. That a TV Programme to discover new commentators for ESPN/Star Sports was called 'Harsha Ki Khoj' speaks volumes about his popularity among the Indian audience.
Beyond the above, Harsha defined teamwork in the commentary box, often crediting fellow commentators for their incredible performances during their playing days in subtle ways.
Apart from commentary, Harsha has been famous for conducting national Sports Quizzes across India among the best schools from each zone.
Memorable line: Sometimes your greatest strength can emerge as a weakness if the context changes
#2 Richie Benaud
One of cricket's oldest and longest-tenured commentators, Richie Benaud was the voice of cricket during his heyday.
After a spectacular playing career with his leg-spin bowling, Benaud brought all his artistry from bowling to Channel Nine's broadcasting of Australian cricket. With an elegant and graceful voice, Benaud was more of a poet on the air, conveying a whole story with minimal words.
Benaud made famous the use of silence and expressions during his commentary career that lasted over 50 years from the 1960s to the 2010s. The commentary icon died in 2015 at age 84.
Memorable line: Captaincy is 90 percent luck and 10 percent skill. But don't try it without that 10 percent.
#1 Tony Greig
Has anyone ever varied their tone of commentary with such distinction based on the match situation like the late great Tony Greig?
After an outstanding playing career for England as an all-rounder, Greig took to commentary like a fish to water. His ability to build excitement amongst the viewers, while creating an aura during key moments made Greig's voice the most memorable for global audiences.
Some of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's best moments, especially against Australia in the 1990s had Greig behind the mic, adding a separate dimension to them.
Fans of the Sharjah Cups from yesteryear may have forgotten the results of the matches but will remember several Tony Greig nuggets - evidence of his impact. He also had a special fan following in Sri Lanka for promoting the Island nation as one of the best touring spots around the world.
Sadly, Greig died at age 66 in 2012 but his voice still echoes in the memories of almost every cricket fan around the globe.
Memorable line: There is Tendulkar, then there is daylight and then there is the rest
