SA vs IND: Sunil Gavaskar included in SuperSport’s commentary panel for Test series

Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar is the only Indian, who features in SuperSport’s commentary panel for India’s three-match Test series against South Africa. The list consists of four former Proteas’ cricketers, namely Hashim Amla, Shaun Pollock, Robin Peterson and Vernon Philander.

Pollock and Peterson have already been plying his trade as a commentator for quite a while. Amla and Philander, who both retired recently from international cricket, will also been seen in the commentary box. Kass Naidoo, a South African cricket analyst, is also a part of the broadcasting team.

Naidoo recently conjured praises during his stint in the inaugural edition of the Hundred a couple of months ago. Mark Nicholas and Pommie Mbangwa also feature in the elite list. Moreover, Mike Haysman, the SuperSport’s mainstay, will also be a part of the panel.

Executive producer of cricket at SuperSport, Vukile Majola, in a statement, talked about the different procedures of broadcasting in the upcoming series.

“Things will be done differently. Apart from all on-ground personnel undergoing daily Covid tests, the proximity to players will be closely monitored, which will affect things like the toss. Also, all the pre-match build-ups will take place via the commentary box,” Majola was quoted as saying.

List of commentators

Mark Nicholas, Pommie Mbangwa, Hashim Amla, Sunil Gavaskar, Shaun Pollock, Mike Haysman, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander and Robin Peterson.

Star Sports, India’s official broadcaster of the series, may have their own commentary panel in their studio. Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri may also be back with the mic in hand. Aakash Chopra, the former Indian batter, has confirmed his availability in the series.

The opening Test is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Johannesburg and Cape Town will host the other two Tests of the series.

India Squad:

Virat Kohli (Captain), Priyank Panchal, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj.

South Africa Squad:

Dean Elgar (Captain), Temba Bavuma (vc), Quinton de Kock (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen , Rassie van der Dussen , Kyle Verreynne , Marco Jansen , Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen , Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier.