CricViz caught up with Senior Broadcast Analyst Soham Sarkhel following a busy 2024 so far.
A busy year of remote and on-site work
Q – Hi, Soham, It’s great to catch up with you! Can you let us know what you’ve been up to so far this year?
It’s been an extremely busy year. I kicked things off with some remote work for the Australian radio channel Triple M during the Test series between Australia and the West Indies. After that, I worked remotely again for the second season of the ILT20, followed by a couple of Test matches between India & England for TalkSport.
After around three months of remote work, I transitioned to an on-site role in Disney Star’s studio in Mumbai for the IPL—a historic deal for CricViz! The T20 action didn’t stop there, as I then headed to the Caribbean for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
About a month after India’s victory in the World Cup, I found myself back in the Caribbean for a bilateral series between the West Indies and South Africa. Another highlight of the year was working with Sky Cricket for the first time during the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval. I’ve always enjoyed visiting England, so when the opportunity arose, I jumped on it. Plus, working alongside some of the world’s most renowned commentators at Sky Sports was the cherry on top!
Now, after spending close to five of the last six months on the road, I’m really looking forward to some much-needed time at home—but the experiences I’ve gained have been incredible.
The Ian Bishop experience: working alongside a legend
Q – You’ve recently received some huge plaudits from none other than Ian Bishop. Can you tell us what it was like working alongside one of the world’s most recognised broadcasters?
Even though I’ve been in cricket broadcasting for six years, I hadn’t yet worked with Ian Bishop, so I was thrilled when I learned I’d be covering South Africa’s tour of the West Indies alongside him.
Ian is one of the gold standards in cricket commentary, and he didn’t disappoint! He’s every bit the gentleman I expected and more. He genuinely seeks out your point of view—whether it’s about a player, a match, or any cricket topic. We had long discussions when off air, and the most interesting insights from those talks often made it onto the broadcast. Working with him was an absolute pleasure.
Navigating the different broadcast styles
Q – What are the subtle differences when working with different broadcasters?
The key is understanding each broadcaster’s core objective. For some, the focus is on hyping iconic players and keeping the broadcast lively, while others prefer a cleaner, simpler, and more accessible style. Some broadcasters allow you the freedom to delve into technical analysis, whereas others focus on maintaining an easy-to-follow narrative.
Each style brings its own set of opportunities, and the goal is to adapt to the flow without disrupting the broadcast.
Looking Ahead
Q – What are you looking forward to in the last few months of 2024?
As this year winds down, I am is excited to spend some time at home after a whirlwind six months on the road. But with new projects always on the horizon in cricket broadcasting, he’s looking forward to continuing to push boundaries, exploring fresh opportunities, and growing as part of the CricViz family.
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