As part of an impressive commentary panel for the T20 World Cup next month, the ICC on Friday revealed some of the biggest names in cricket and broadcasting, including the iconic Sunil Gavaskar and former India coach Ravi Shastri.
The USA and the West Indies will co-host the T20 World Cup from June 2–29. The list of commentators also includes Dinesh Karthik, who announced his retirement from cricket in all formats following the IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The commentary team is led by respected individuals such Ian Smith, Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Mel Jones, Harsha Bhogle, and Ian Bishop.
The team will be joined by previous men’s and women’s T20 World Cup champions Karthik, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, and Lisa Sthalekar, who will add to the insights on the modern game.
Ricky Ponting, Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden, Ramiz Raja, Eoin Morgan, Tom Moody, and Wasim Akram—all former 50-over World Cup winners—will also be providing their professional commentary for the next competition.
In his inaugural World Cup, American pundit James O’Brien, a.k.a. Jomboy, will try to provide American viewers with background information on the matches.
Shastri, Nasser Hussain, Ian Smith, Mel Jones, Harsha Bhogle, and Ian Bishop are among the veterans that lead the commentary team.
Former men’s and women’s T20 World Cup winners such as Karthik, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, and Lisa Sthalekar will join the squad to provide insights into the modern game.
Former 50-over World Cup winners Ricky Ponting, Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden, Ramiz Raja, Eoin Morgan, Tom Moody, and Wasim Akram will also provide expert commentary for the next tournament.
Making his World Cup debut, American commentator James O’Brien – better known as Jomboy – will try to bring context to the games for American viewers.
Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith, Michael Atherton, Waqar Younis, Simon Doull, Shaun Pollock, and Katey Martin are also on the team, as are well-known cricket broadcasters Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Natalie Germanos, Danny Morrison, Alison Mitchell, Alan Wilkins, Brian Murgatroyd, Mike Haysman, Ian Ward, Athar Ali Khan, Russel Arnold, Niall O’Brien, Kass Naidoo, and former West Indies captain Daren Ganga.
The ICC will provide extensive coverage of the competition over 28 days, including a pre-match show, an innings interval programme, and a post-match wrap-up.
Following the success of the vertical feed in the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC TV will launch an AI-supported vertical stream for the T20 World Cup.
This groundbreaking feature, created in conjunction with Disney Star, Quidich Innovation Labs, and NEP, will be a first for cricket.