IPL 2025: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been more than just a cricket tournament; it’s a festival that brings together fans from diverse backgrounds, united by their love for the game.
While the players showcase their skills on the field, it’s the commentators who bridge the gap between the action and the audience, adding depth, context, and excitement to every moment.
As we approach the 2025 season, let’s delve into the expected lineup of commentators across various languages and understand their pivotal role in enhancing our viewing experience.
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IPL 2025: The Integral Role of IPL Commentators
Commentators are the storytellers of cricket. They provide real-time analysis, share anecdotes, and break down complex strategies, making the game accessible to both seasoned fans and newcomers.
Their enthusiasm and insights can elevate a mundane match to a memorable spectacle. In a country as diverse as India, delivering commentary in multiple languages ensures that fans from different regions can connect with the game in their native tongue, making the experience more personal and engaging.
IPL 2025: English Commentators
English commentary has a universal appeal, reaching both domestic and international audiences. The expected panel for IPL 2025 includes:
- Sunil Gavaskar: The legendary Indian opener, known for his sharp analysis and deep understanding of the game.
- Ravi Shastri: Former Indian all-rounder and head coach, bringing his dynamic commentary style back to the booth.
- Matthew Hayden: The Australian powerhouse, offering insights from his illustrious cricketing career.
- Michael Clarke: Former Australian captain, known for his articulate commentary and strategic insights.
- Ian Bishop: The West Indian fast bowler turned commentator, respected for his balanced and knowledgeable commentary.
- Harsha Bhogle: The ‘Voice of Cricket’ in India, celebrated for his eloquence and deep cricketing knowledge.
- Simon Doull: Former New Zealand pacer, offering sharp analysis and a touch of humor.
- Mpumelelo Mbangwa: Zimbabwean cricketer turned commentator, known for his insightful observations.
- Danny Morrison: The exuberant New Zealander, bringing energy and excitement to the commentary box.
- Anjum Chopra: Former Indian women’s team captain, providing expert analysis and perspectives.
- Katey Martin: New Zealand cricketer, adding depth with her recent on-field experience.
- Natalie Germanos: South African commentator, known for her articulate and informed commentary.
IPL 2025: Hindi Commentators
Hindi commentary brings a unique flavor to the IPL, resonating with a vast majority of Indian fans. The anticipated lineup includes:
- Suresh Raina: Former Indian cricketer, bringing his on-field experience to the mic.
- Harbhajan Singh: The Turbanator, known for his candid opinions and deep understanding of spin bowling.
- Aakash Chopra: Former opener turned analyst, renowned for his detailed breakdowns of the game.
- Sanjay Manjrekar: Ex-Indian batsman, offering sharp critiques and in-depth analysis.
- Irfan Pathan: Swing maestro, sharing insights from his versatile cricketing career.
- RP Singh: Former left-arm pacer, known for his straightforward commentary style.
- Pragyan Ojha: Spin wizard, providing nuanced perspectives on the game’s intricacies.
- Robin Uthappa: Stylish batsman, bringing fresh insights from his recent playing days.
- Piyush Chawla: Leg-spin specialist, adding depth with his vast IPL experience.
- Mohammad Kaif: Fielding legend, known for his energetic commentary and tactical insights.
IPL 2025: Regional Language Commentators
To cater to India’s linguistic diversity, IPL offers commentary in several regional languages:
IPL 2025: Tamil Commentators
- Abhinav Mukund: Former Indian opener, providing sharp analysis in Tamil.
- Murali Vijay: Elegant batsman, sharing his rich experience with Tamil audiences.
- S Badrinath: Dependable middle-order batsman, known for his insightful commentary.
- R Sridhar: Renowned fielding coach, offering expert analysis and anecdotes.
IPL 2025: Telugu Commentators
- Hanuma Vihari: Indian test specialist, bringing his calm demeanor to the commentary box.
- MSK Prasad: Former chief selector and wicketkeeper, providing in-depth analysis.
IPL 2025: Kannada Commentators
- Venkatesh Prasad: Former Indian fast bowler, known for his articulate commentary.
- Sunil Joshi: Spin specialist, sharing his vast cricketing knowledge with Kannada viewers.
IPL 2025: Marathi Commentators
- Kedar Jadhav: Dynamic all-rounder, bringing his unique perspective to Marathi commentary.
- Aditya Tare: Reliable wicketkeeper-batsman, offering fresh insights.
- Dhawal Kulkarni: Mumbai’s pace spearhead, sharing his on-field experiences.
- Kiran More: Former Indian wicketkeeper, known for his candid commentary.
- Pravin Tambe: Leg-spinner with an inspiring journey, adding depth to the panel.
IPL 2025: Will Navjot Singh Sidhu return to the commentary box?
Navjot Singh Sidhu has always been a big name in the cricketing world, known for his brilliant commentary, humorous one-liners, and poetic metaphors. His return in IPL 2024 after a long time was greeted with much enthusiasm by fans, as fans welcomed his signature style that blends humour with sharp cricketing knowledge.
With IPL 2025 inching closer, speculations are rife over whether Sidhu will be seen in the commentary box once again. His presence will undoubtedly add an extra dose of entertainment to the Hindi panel, making the matches even more interesting for viewers. However, his commitments in politics and television raise questions over his availability for the upcoming season.
While fans are eagerly waiting for the official confirmation, one thing is for sure – if Sidhu returns, his charismatic voice will once again make IPL commentary an unforgettable experience.
IPL Commentators Fluent in Multiple Languages
Some commentators stand out not just for their cricketing knowledge but also for their linguistic versatility. These bilingual or multilingual experts switch effortlessly between languages, making IPL more accessible to a broader audience.
Here are some notable commentators proficient in multiple languages:
- Harsha Bhogle – English, Hindi
- Aakash Chopra – Hindi, English
- Sunil Gavaskar – English, Hindi
- Dinesh Karthik – English, Tamil
- Ravi Shastri – English, Hindi
- Ambati Rayudu – Telugu, Hindi, English
These commentators ensure that IPL fans from different linguistic backgrounds enjoy a seamless and engaging experience, breaking language barriers while maintaining the thrill of the game.
IPL 2025: Haryanvi Commentators
Haryana has a rich cricketing heritage, with legendary players like Kapil Dev hailing from the region. Haryanvi commentators bring a mix of humor, sharp analysis, and deep cricketing knowledge.
1. Virender Sehwag: Former Indian opening batsman and one of the most destructive players in cricket history.
2. Manvinder Bisla: Former IPL-winning wicketkeeper-batsman with Kolkata Knight Riders.
3. Ravin Kundu: Cricket presenter and analyst.
IPL 2025: Bhojpuri Commentators
The Bhojpuri audience is known for its energetic and passionate engagement with cricket. Bhojpuri commentary adds a cultural flavor to IPL, making it more relatable for fans in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
1. Ravi Kishan: Popular Bollywood and Bhojpuri film actor with a massive fan following.
2. Mohd Saif: Former cricketer from Bihar with experience in domestic cricket.
3. Shivam Singh: Cricket analyst and regional sports journalist.
IPL2025: Punjabi Commentators
Punjabi cricket fans bring enthusiasm and high energy to IPL. Punjabi commentators reflect this passion with their lively and engaging commentary.
1. Sarandeep Singh: Former Indian cricketer and national selector.
2. Rahul Sharma: Former Indian leg-spinner who played for Pune Warriors and India.
3. VRV Singh: Former Indian fast bowler known for his aggressive pace.
IPL 2025: Bangla Commentators
Bengali cricket fans are passionate about the game, and IPL’s Bangla commentary team ensures that they get in-depth analysis and lively discussions in their own language. The panel includes former players, cricket analysts, and seasoned broadcasters.
1. Ashoke Dinda: Former Indian fast bowler, played for Bengal in domestic cricket and represented teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
2. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala: Former Bengal and Rajasthan batsman, played in domestic leagues and the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
3. Gautam Bhattacharya: Senior sports journalist and cricket analyst, widely recognized for his in-depth knowledge of Indian and international cricket.
IPL 2025: Why Commentary Matters in IPL
Commentary is an integral part of sports broadcasting, and in the IPL, it plays an even bigger role. Here’s why IPL commentators are crucial:
- Bridging the Gap – Many casual cricket fans rely on commentary to understand strategies, rules, and player performances.
- Enhancing Excitement – A great commentator can make a thrilling moment even more electrifying with the right choice of words and tone.
- Cultural Connection – Multilingual commentary ensures that fans across different regions feel represented and connected to the game.
- Expert Insights – Former cricketers and analysts provide in-depth analysis, helping fans understand the nuances of the sport better.
Anticipation for IPL 2025’s Official Commentary Panel Announcement
With IPL 2025 just around the corner, the excitement is building not only for the teams and players but also for the voices that will bring the matches to life. The official commentator list will be announced soon, and fans are eager to know if their favorite analysts and former cricketers will return to the mic.
As IPL continues to grow, the commentary panel may also see fresh faces joining seasoned veterans, creating a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy. Whether it’s the nostalgia of hearing Harsha Bhogle, the energy of Danny Morrison, or the humor of Navjot Singh Sidhu, IPL 2025 promises another season of electrifying commentary.
Also Read: IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony
