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Commentators play a crucial role in making cricket matches more interesting. From the 1960s to 1980s, when Anand Setalvad used to do English commentary, he didn’t get enough appreciation for his job. In 2019, when Setalvad passed away at the age of 84, he was praised for his incredible work. In the 1990s, players such as Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, and Arun Lal, who retired from international cricket, became English commentators and became the maestro in the sector while at the same time, Ravi Chaturvedi and Vivek Razdan also emerged as huge names in the Hindi commentary segment. Their distinguished voices became imperative for viewers during the live broadcast of matches.
In 2008, when the Indian Premier League (IPL) emerged in the cricketing world, Hindi commentary didn’t attract listeners in initial years but now, spectators are turning towards it in a large number. With the popularity of Hindi commentary in the cash-rich league, the commentators associated with this sector are also getting lucrative contracts. Talking about some, SportsTiger is introducing five names who are the highest-paid Hindi commentators in IPL history. As per Pratidin Time report, these figures top the list of commentators who get paid well during every IPL edition.
Here's a list of highest‑paid Hindi commentators in IPL history:
5. Jatin Sapru
Jatin Sapru, who became a commentator following his victory in the talent contest organized by ESPN Star Sports in 2004-05, has evolved a lot as a commentator and is now one of the well-paid Hindi commentators. He charges INR 1.5 Lakh/game for lending his voice.
4. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh played for Team India for 18 years from 1998 to 2016 and during this time, he delivered a lot of winning moments to the side and emerged as one of the most-successful spinners for the team. In December 2021, Harbhajan retired from all forms of the sport and now, he remains active in the sport as a commentator. In IPL, he is an integral part of the Hindi commentary panel. As per reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pays INR1.5 Lakh to him for every match.
3. Suresh Raina
Former Team India star player Suresh Raina was known for his brilliant batting skills. With his sensational talent, he played a vital role in making India World Cup champions after 28 years in 2011. In 2019, he retired from international cricket and started doing Hindi commentary in Team India matches. In IPL 2022, he was seen as Hindi commentator and since then, he has featured in IPL’s Hindi commentary panel every year. Raina earns INR 2.5 Crore during an IPL season.
2. Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar is adept at both English and Hindi and the exceptional understanding of both languages has helped him to evolve his career in commentary after his retirement. Manjrekar, who served Team India from 1987 to 1996, makes it to IPL’s star-studded Hindi commentary panel every year. His colossal experience and magnificent prowess gets him INR 2.8 Crore/IPL season.
1. Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra couldn’t become a huge name for Team India during his playing career but now, he is one of the biggest names in the commentary sector. Chopra is now a prominent Hindi commentator and he gets INR 2.92 Crore for imparting his voice in the league every season.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Who is the highest‑paid Hindi cricket commentator in IPL?
A. The current highest‑paid Hindi cricket commentator in IPL is Aakash Chopra.
Q. How much does a Hindi commentator earn at the entry level in IPL?
A. The contract for every entry-level IPL commentator starts from INR 1.5 Lakh per match.
