It's hard to compete with the national level excitement of India playing Pakistan in the World Cup, but on the sidelines of today's match was a mini-frenzy of sorts over actor Amitabh Bachchan's session in the commentary box. (Also Read: Dad Nervous About Debut as Cricket Commentator: Abhishek Bachchan)
Many were keeping an attentive ear open for Mr Bachchan's baritone booming out updates and analysis of what is undoubtedly the most anticipated game of the tournament. The commentary box stint has been churned out by the publicity machinery of the actor's last film Shamitabh, which released on February 6. As The Ghantas put it,
.@SrBachchan now in the commentary box. @sachin_rt be like 'Aila, Don ka commentary na sunna mushkil hi nahi, namukin Hai'. #IndvsPak
- The Ghanta Awards (@theghantas) February 15, 2015Because, you know:
Amitabh Bachchan is our lucky charm for Ind-Pak match. Last time he did commentary, India won the match & saved 3 guna lagaan in Champanair.
- Branded Bawi (@ZeniaIrani) February 15, 2015Cricket writer Ayaz Memon provided inside information from the commentary box. Mr Bachchan's co-commentators were former cricketers Ashish Chopra and Shoaib Akhtar.
Amitabh Bachchan starts the Star Sports Indo-Pak match commentary with Aakash Chopra and Shoaib Akhtar pic.twitter.com/avkgj9QBUp
- Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 15, 2015Later replaced by Rahul Dravid and Arun Lal.
Amitabh Bachchan starts the Star Sports Indo-Pak match commentary with Aakash Chopra and Shoaib Akhtar pic.twitter.com/avkgj9QBUp
- Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 15, 2015This was august company, and perhaps a little hard on Mr Bachchan who probably had to work hard to keep up. Not surprisingly, Twitter opinion was divided about his performance.
Some judged him harshly:
Amitabh's commentary is worse than Doordarshan.
- Sir Jadeja (@Ojasism) February 15, 2015Amitabh is speaking too much. Perhaps he's being paid at the rate of words per minute.
- Moon (@moonsez) February 15, 2015However, praise was forthcoming from the 72-year-old actor's Bollywood colleagues.
Okay even I AM UP for the match .. So you can't take the Indian out of an #IndvsPak match after all !! OH and you gotta love @SrBachchan ;)
- Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) February 15, 2015Commentary never sound so impactful @SrBachchan live on #IndvsPak superb
- Sidharth Malhotra (@S1dharthM) February 15, 2015Amitabh Bachchan on star sports live - wah -ab aur Kya chahiye - #IndVsPak @SrBachchan
- Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) February 15, 2015What a great morning seeing the india Pakistan match and hearing @SrBachchan commentate .
- Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) February 15, 2015What we say is, put Dravid in a movie and then we'll talk. Till then, keep calm and watch the World Cup. And this:
Big B in the commentary box. https://t.co/dv3TijtXDD
- Anurag Verma (@kitAnurag) February 15, 2015