IPL 2017: Michael Clarke, Kevin Pietersen drafted into the commentary box

Mumbai: They have mesmerised all of us on the 22-yard strip before, and now they are ready to lend their voices to add to the fervour of the richest T20 league in the world – the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke, and ex-England star cricketer Kevin Pietersen have joined a crew of 20 commentators, who will bring their expert analyses into the game.

Clarke was among the panel of commentators in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and will continue his stint behind the microphone, in the IPL.

“I have been a part of this tournament as a player and this year I am eager to get behind the microphone and have some fun,” said Clarke in a press release. “Love this place, love the tournament and it is great to be a part of this commentary team.”

English cricketer Pietersen, who has also been drafted in as one of the commentators, said, “It’s always great to be in India and playing in or commentating on all of the explosive action that personifies the IPL. Coming back this time as a commentator is going to be an experience I will cherish for a long time. I always look forward to this tournament, but in my new role as commentator, I’m looking forward to it even more.”

Apart from the two star cricketers, the IPL has also drafted in women cricketers to lend their voices and their expertise to the commentary box.

The likes of Anjum Chopra, Isa Guha, Lisa Sthalekar, and Melanie Jones will also be present in the commentary box.

Former Australia captain Lisa Sthalekar lauded BCCI for including women cricketers in the commentary box. She said, “It was a great initiative by the BCCI in 2015 to include women cricketers into the commentary panel. I had a great time discussing the game with Anjum Chopra, Isa Guha, Melanie Jones and the rest of the commentators and I expect this year’s stint with the IPL to be even better.”

List of IPL commentators for 2017 VIVO IPL:

Sanjay Manjrekar
Scott Styris
Ravi Shastri
Pommie Mbangwa
Sunil Gavaskar
Simon Doull
L Siva
D Morrison
Isa Guha
Michael Hussey
Lisa Sthalekar
Matthew Hayden
Melanie Jones
Micheal Clarke
Murali Kartik
Brett Lee
Kevin Pietersen
Brendon Julien
Daren Ganga