The IPL broadcaster is toying with the idea of introducing "virtual commentary" in the upcoming franchise-based league after being emboldened by its successful recent experiment in an exhibition match, report agencies.
For a live game at Centurion Park in South Africa on Sunday, Irfan Pathan was doing commentary from his Baroda home, Deep Dasgupta from Kolkata and Sanjay Manjrekar from his Mumbai residence.
Being able to commentate from his home for a game taking place thousands of kilometres away, former India all-rounder Pathan called the experience nothing short of "magical".
In a world that is changing everyday due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IPL broadcaster Star Sports has experimented with virtual commentary for a 36-over exhibition game featuring three teams at Centurion Park. It was not just the commentators as the crew also logged in from all parts of the country with the director sitting in Mysore.
The experiment was fairly successful, notwithstanding a few teething issues. It could be a regular feature in the upcoming IPL, if not for the main feeds in Hindi and English, at least for growing regional feeds like Tamil, Telegu and Kannada to start with."It was an extraordinary experience though we were worried throughout because the internet speed can fluctuate and that affects the voice quality.
Anything can happen anytime in live cricket and with technology not fully in your control, it can be tricky but Star did a wonderful job,"
Pathan told PTI.
