Introduction to the women commentators in IPL 8

Navjot Singh Sidhu and Isa Guha

The eight edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen the introduction of a brand new team, women commentators. Here is a short introduction to the women who are commentating on the IPL games this season.

Isa Guha

Isa Guha holds the unique distinction of being the first woman of Indian origin to play for the England Woman’s Cricket team when she was only 17 years old. In a career which spanned ten years, she played eight test matches and 83 one-day internationals, along with22 T20 matches.

She was a part of the English team that won the Ashes and also the Women’s World Cup. She has been anchoring for quite some time now and her anchoring was quite appreciated last season by her co-anchors and the audience.

Anjum Chopra

Anjum Chopra is one of the most well-known woman cricketers in India and she is the first Indian woman to score an ODI hundred and also the first captain to win a test series abroad. Under her captaincy, India won 5-0 against England in a home series and she was also the longest serving captain of the Indian team.

She made her ODI debut against New Zealand at the age of 17 and has played 12 tests and 116 ODIs for her country. The Padma Shri and Arjuna award winner has established herself as a commentator and is known for her keen observations and clinical analysis of the game.

Melanie Jones

The Victoria-based cricketer played for Australia in 5 tests and 61 one-day internationals between 1998 and 2003 and also led Surrey in the English County Championships. Jones was known for her impressive fielding skills and was a right-hand batsman who bowled occasional right-arm medium. She is a new addition to the IPL commentary team and will be commentating on the matches played in Chennai and Bangalore.

Lisa Sthalekar

Lisa Carprini Sthalekar was considered to be one of the most talented all-rounders in women’s cricket thanks to her impressive stroke play, lethal off-spin and athletic fielding. The Indian-born cricketer played eight tests and 125 ODI matches for Australia along with 54 T20 internationals. She holds the record of being the first woman to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in ODIs.

She retired from cricket right after her team clinched the 2013 World Cup and since then, she has adjusted well into her new role as a commentator. She made her IPL debut as a commentator during the match between KKR and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens.