Harsha Bhogle: The Voice of Cricket
Harsha Bhogle, born on 19 July 1961, is a well-known Indian cricket commentator and journalist, often called the “Voice of Cricket.” He was born in Hyderabad to a Marathi-speaking family. His father, Achyut D. Bhogle, was a French language professor, and his mother, Shalini Bhogle, was a psychology professor. His mother’s family migrated from Lahore to India during the partition in 1947.
Early Life and Education
Harsha attended Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, and then earned a B.Tech. degree in chemical engineering from Osmania University. He also completed a PGP (similar to an MBA) from IIM Ahmedabad. After graduation, he worked in an advertising agency and later at a sports management company.
Career Beginnings
Harsha started playing A Division cricket in Hyderabad and represented Osmania University. At 19, he began commentating for All India Radio. In 1991-92, he became the first Indian commentator invited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for India’s cricket series. He also worked with the BBC commentary team for the 1996 and 1999 Cricket World Cups.
Rise to Fame
Since 1995, Harsha has been a prominent figure on ESPN STAR Sports, commentating with cricket legends like Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar. He covered all Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons since 2009 and was the advisor for Mumbai Indians in 2008.
Challenges and Comebacks
In April 2016, Harsha was surprisingly dropped from the IPL commentary team. Reports suggest it was due to criticism from Indian players and an incident with a VIP door at a T20 World Cup match. Despite this, he continued his association with Cricbuzz, writing articles and doing video analyses.
Television and Online Presence
Harsha hosted shows like “Harsha Online,” “Harsha Unplugged,” and “School Quiz Olympiad” on ESPN and Star Sports. He also had a show, “Harsha ki Khoj,” to find broadcasting talent in India. His YouTube series, “Out of the Box with Harsha Bhogle,” expanded his online presence.
Notable Moments
In 2013, Harsha conducted the final interviews during Sachin Tendulkar’s last test match. He also hosted “This Week’s Special” on Star Sports, revisiting memorable cricketing moments. In 2019, he was named one of the commentators for the ICC World Cup in England and Wales.
Books and Writing
Harsha, along with his wife Anita, wrote “The Winning Way” and “The Winning Way 2.0,” focusing on applying sports principles to business management. He also authored a biography of Mohammad Azharuddin and a collection of columns titled “Out of the Box.”
Personal Life
Harsha is married to Anita, his classmate from IIM Ahmedabad, and they live in Mumbai with their two adult sons. He has been a vegetarian since age 17. Together, they run a sport-based communication consultancy called Prosearch.
Harsha Bhogle remains a respected figure in cricket broadcasting, known for his insightful commentary and deep knowledge of the game.
Additional Insights
Beyond his well-known career in cricket commentary, Harsha Bhogle has been a prominent figure in various media formats, adapting to the evolving landscape from radio and television to digital and social media platforms. He has over 9 million followers on Twitter, showcasing his ability to engage with a global audience. His analytical skills are highly respected, making him a trusted voice in cricket analysis.
Harsha also enjoys speaking engagements, sharing insights from his experiences in sports and management with corporate audiences. His sessions, often titled “The Winning Way,” draw parallels between sports and business, highlighting strategies for success (Harsha Bhogle) (StarsUnfolded).
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Summary
This article covers Harsha Bhogle’s journey from the beginning of his life to the present day. For more in-depth information about Harsha Bhogle, please use the button provided at the start of the blog. Thank you!