Mumbai: Star Sports - India’s leading sports broadcaster makes a bold move by bringing together a panel of women presenters to drive the coverage for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Celebrating the potential of women and their remarkable achievements in the world of sports, these women will set an example for a more inclusive space in sports broadcasting.
In England and at the Star Sports studios, the illustrious roster includes
Isa Guha - English television and radio cricket broadcaster and a former England cricketer who played in the 2005 World Cup and the 2009 World Cup. Isa would also be doing commentary during the tournament from England.
Mayanti Langer is arguably the most popular sports presenter in the country who has hosted marquee events across sports including, FIFA World Cup 2010, ICC CWC 2011 and 2015 and VIVO IPL will be presenting her third cricket World Cup and hosting the networks flagship show Philips Hue Cricket Live.
Seema Jaswal – who was a part of ISL and currently is the face of the Premier League globally and hosts multiple sports properties including snooker, motor racing and darts will be presenting the ICC Cricket World Cup from England
Sanjana Ganesan has played an important role covering the VIVO IPL and has hosted international tournaments over the past few years across multiple sports. She will be bringing in interesting feature stories from England and Wales through the tournament.
In addition to the above, bringing the regional flavour to fans across different languages will be Priyadarshini Chatterjee, Former Miss India World; Bhavana Balakrishnan, popular Tamil anchor and singer; Vindhya Medapati, Telugu anchor and emcee; RJ Reena D’Souza and multi - sports anchor Madhu Mailankody in Kannada.
Speaking about her association with Star Sports for the World Cup Isa Guha said, “It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to work with Star Sports on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. I am looking forward to joining what is an already fabulous team. When I first started working in broadcast there were hardly any women presenting cricket but now it’s wonderful to see so many women getting opportunities. It’s great that young girls growing up now can explore cricket media as a viable career option.”
Mayanti Langer sharing her experience on presenting a tournament in the stature of a World Cup said, “The ICC Cricket World Cup is a tournament of high stature. There is an intense sense of anticipation for this year’s Cricket World Cup amongst players and fans alike. I am happy to be back and look forward to bringing the audience the best cricketing experience. It’s a privilege to be part of such an elite team.”
Seema Jaswal on returning on for the ICC Cricket World Cup on the Star Sports said, “The fun and games for the Summer of 19’ continues and I am returning to my presenting duties for my third World Cup. I am going back to where it all began – it’s an honor to be back with my team at Star Sports and I will be broadcasting out to India. I am extremely excited to be back with the team and with everyone in India and I can’t wait to bring the viewers all the action from the grounds in U.K”
Sanjana Ganesan spoke on debuting as a presenter for the World Cup said, “I am looking forward to the Summer of Cricket. My association with the sport has only helped me understand the game better and I’m sure that this tournament is going to be very exciting and thrilling to watch. Star Sports has given me an opportunity to be part of the biggest tournament and I am extremely grateful for this chance. This World Cup promises to be a stiff competition with the best of cricketing talent across the world. I am excited and look forward to this mega event”
Bhavna Balakrishnan on being the lead presenter on Star Sports 1 Tamil said, "It is a lot of responsibility because for the Star Sports Tamil team, I am the only female presenter and all my colleagues are insanely talented and extremely experienced. They've been doing this for a while and this is just my second year in sport even though it’s my 9-10th year in this work space. I took this opportunity because I wanted to see if it was possible to push boundaries and take up the challenge. And it's been fantastic so far, I feel like I'm back in the 10th and 12th grade prepping for my board exams every time I come into the studio. "
Reena D'Souza while talking about what she is looking forward to this World Cup on Star Sports 1 Kannada said, " When you've got something to learn every day and every moment is inspirational, it is worth the challenge and that is what I exactly learn everyday as a sports presenter. Honestly, I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun whilst creating an enriching experience for the viewers and improving my cricketing knowledge because that's what I want to cherish for a lifetime. I'm doing a World Cup for the first time in my life and I'm really looking forward to it."
Vindhya Medapati on her entire journey to becoming a sports presenter on Star Sports 1 Telugu said, “Being an entertainment anchor for 6 years and switching to sports was something new and exciting for me. I still remember in July 2017 I got a call from Star Sports to host VIVO Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 and it was a life changing experience for me. Later when I was picked up for IPL, it was a ‘dream come true’ moment. In fact, I take pride that I am the first Telugu woman to host the IPL and now when I look back and see I have two IPLs and two seasons of Pro Kabaddi in my kitty and all that I have learned in these two years is when you are good at something, make everything out of it. Thanks to Star Sports for believing in me and recognizing the star in me.
Madhu Mailankody speaking about the growth of women presenters in the sports industry said, "It is a fact that women weren’t given enough opportunities in sports or to present sport in the past. But today; it is a different scenario. Some of the best presenters of sport in the today’s world are women. The credit for the same at large goes to Star Sports. There is a strong presence of female presenters in all the eight languages of the network. Speaking as one amongst them; I say this because it is not just our talent or hard work; but also, the effort they have taken to train us on various sports that has gotten us here. Be it our body language or sports content- the team at Star Sports has guided us constantly towards the right path. There is never a discrimination in their approach towards talent of any gender or region. So proud to be a part of the world’s leading sports television network. It only inspires me to get better and keep growing."
With the evolving scenario of the cricketing universe, legends from the sport have always supported the women presenters who have taken over the Star Sports network this ICC Cricket World Cup.
Star Sports Select Dugout expert - Dean Jones speaking about Mayanti Langer said, "It's good to see a lot of sportswomen turned sports anchors now coming through for Star Sports and they are all very well presented, and I think Mayanti is the captain of the girls. They look up to her and admire what she does, and she has indeed, set a high standard for everyone. There's no doubt that this is a good mix of women presenters. Furthermore, we all have a lot of fun on TV and that all comes down to the host and that comes from Mayanti - The Queen. People have no idea the work that she puts in and how much she knows about the game. More importantly to be entertaining and to keep a good flow going with all the shows, she does it brilliantly. So, without a doubt, Mayanti is the best anchor and presenter in the business."
India's former finger spinner - Venkatapathy Raju on women presenters this World Cup on Star Sports said, "It’s nice to see women anchor shows in regional languages and we have a lot of women cricketers be a part of English and Hindi commentary as well as doing a lot of anchoring. About Vindhya, she has really worked hard to be a Telugu anchor and she has been running the show in IPL and now, the World Cup for which I really appreciate the hard work she has done, and she makes you feel comfortable in shows."
Former Indian cricketer and a commentator for almost two decades Laxman Sivaramakrishnan spoke about Bhavna Balakrishnan saying, “At Star Sports 1 Tamil, which is just two years old, we are doing really well and Bhavna Balakrishnan has played a very
important role in that success. She helps us connect better with all kinds of audiences, especially women, children and families. For instance, during our shows, when we get carried away and speak about technical things, Bhavna asks the right questions that help audiences understand the nuances of the sport and simplify it. Over the last two years she has really worked hard on her skills as a sports presenter and is doing a fabulous job. It is a pleasure working with her."
