Anil Chaudhary, who has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket for over 17 seasons as an umpire in the IPL, has transitioned into the role of a commentator this year after celebrating his 60th birthday. This marks his retirement from officiating, as his farewell game was the Ranji Trophy final between Kerala and Vidarbha last month in Nagpur. His last international appearance came in September 2023, having officiated in 12 Tests, 49 ODIs, and 64 T20s during his illustrious career.
Chaudhary, who began his umpiring career with the IPL’s inception in 2008, has now ventured into regional commentary, a field that has rapidly grown in the last two years. Starting from March 22, he will be part of the Haryanvi commentary team for the IPL and will also contribute occasionally in Hindi commentary. Reflecting on this new phase, he shared with PTI, “I have been commentating for the past three to four months. It’s been an easy transition, and I’m enjoying the shift. The number of matches I’ll be working on is much higher, but I have a different perspective as an umpire. It’s a lot of fun.”
Chaudhary, while leaving umpiring behind with a sense of fulfillment, admitted that despite his experience, he never made it to the ICC Elite Panel, which has only one Indian umpire, Nitin Menon, since 2020. He takes pride in having officiated over 200 IPL matches and several high-profile games, including five Ranji finals and the 2022 Asia Cup final.
In addition to his work in commentary, Chaudhary has also been teaching umpiring and commentary online. Reflecting on the challenges faced by Indian umpires, he shared his thoughts on the obsession with theoretical knowledge. “We need to understand the spirit of the law. Bookish knowledge alone won’t help umpires succeed,” he said, emphasizing the importance of practical experience.
Chaudhary’s career also gave him opportunities to work closely with cricketing legends like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. He recalled how maintaining rapport with players and being consistent in decision-making helped him earn their respect over the years.
As he transitions into commentary, Chaudhary remains a respected figure in cricket, and his insights, shaped by years of experience, promise to add great value to the broadcast.
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