If cricket is your thing, Bharat Sundaresan is a name you’re familiar with. No, he’s not a cricketer, but he’s deeply immersed in the world of cricket. Having grown up with the sport in Mumbai, India, he spent a decade in cricket journalism before going on to become an acclaimed author and a well-known cricket expert with a distinct identity in Australia now.
Based in Adelaide, Sundaresan is a familiar face on your TV screens, commentating when he is not writing a cricket story. With his long hair and rock star appeal, his too is the story in the cricket landscape that offers the pleasure of delving deeper.
Catching up with Sundaresan during the tea break at the MCG at the Australia versus Pakistan Boxing Day Test, he tells The Indian Sun how cricket played a crucial role in turning his life around. Recounting a challenging phase involving recreational drugs and addiction in Mumbai, Sundaresan reflects on reaching a point of darkness.
Overcoming the struggles, he acknowledges that cricket became a lifeline, offering him a purpose and a path to sobriety. Eventually, he moved from Mumbai to Chennai to take up a journalism course, and joined the Indian Express in Mumbai, marking a turning point in his life. The rest, as they say, is history.
“From the first day I got into this, I love telling and writing stories and getting people engaged through my storytelling. Talking about the people behind the sports, taking the readers or listeners on a journey with me, that’s been my strength,” he says.
Real or fantastical, Sundaresan’s narrative provides the unadulterated delight of sonic satisfaction. His stint as a journalist in India led him to author “The Dhoni Touch” in 2018, followed by “Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me” co-authored with Raina Suresh (2021), and The Miracle Makers: Indian Cricket’s Greatest Epic with Gaurav Joshi (2023).
It has been five years since Sundaresan moved to Australia, establishing himself as a familiar face on the podium and in various media outlets.
“My wife, Isha, a specialist education teacher, wanted to explore opportunities abroad, and in February 2018, she moved to Australia,” he says. Sundaresan was pleased they choose Adelaide, having fallen in love with the city since the first time he came to cover the first Test of the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar series.
He joined his wife in December 2018. “After 20 months, I guess she still wanted me in her life,” he says with a laugh.
Leaving India, where the vast majority of cricket fans live and the cricket economy thrives, was, of course, not hard for Sundaresan. He got a contract with Cricbuzz.com. as their Australian correspondent, embracing a new chapter in his cricket journalism.
In Australia, Sundaresan found the landscape of journalism taking on a unique flavour, catering to diverse consumers with both casual and hardcore fans. This stands in stark contrast to India, where the sheer magnitude of cricket enthusiasts demands a constant search for distinctive content.
Comparing the cricket cultures of Australia and India, Sundaresan highlights a fundamental distinction. In India, cricket can thrive independently of media coverage, with a vast cricket-consuming population. The media is relevant but often treated with a degree of detachment, he believes.
In contrast, Australia’s cricket ecosystem relies more on a symbiotic relationship between the team and the media. The unique dynamic stems from mutual dependence, fostering a more harmonious and cooperative atmosphere.
Additionally, Australia’s egalitarian society contributes to a sense of commonality between journalists and players, creating a different and more amicable relationship compared to the hierarchical structure in India. For instance, Sundaresan notes that he shares more common ground with players like Pat Cummins in Australia, highlighting the cultural nuances that shape these distinct media-sport relationships.
If Sundaresan has been able to capture the full essence of cricket, he has also raised awareness about incidents of racism in Australia. In January, he wrote about being singled out despite having an accreditation card at Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, three times.
“I wrote about racism because I felt a responsibility, not just for myself but for other people of colour. The next day, people thanked me, and white individuals apologised. It was overwhelming to see the impact, reinforcing the goal of making our voices heard to prevent others from facing similar challenges.”
That having said, Sundaresan loves the cross-cultural blend, embracing the diversity that comes with his experiences in both India and Australia. He is proud of his Indian background and equally proud of his adopted country.
During two visits to India this year, he introduced the cricket team to a different flavour of the country, aiming to educate them about its diverse culture.
Clearly, no other sport resonates with Sundaresan like cricket, which he has played and watched since the age of six. “It has played a bigger role in my life than just being a passion.”
When asked if he roots for India or Australia, he responds, “Growing up, I was a passionate West Indies fan. Over the years, I’ll be honest, now as a journalist, I root for anyone who finishes the game quickly so I can get back to my lovely wife.”
Sundaresan has a tome of experience, and to single out one as memorable is difficult. “Whether it’s being at the World Cup finals in 2019 or commentating at the India-Pakistan game at MCG last year, I find it challenging to pick just one. I do feel very lucky to be doing what I am doing.”
But Sundaresan has also brought something along with his love for the game – his unique style. “I am always myself; I don’t stick to a dress code. Even back in India, I just did what I wanted to do. My hair has always been long for 20 years now, and for me personally, I was told to fit in here; I have to start dressing like them. I was like, let’s see who starts aping whom. I guess that’s just my personality.”
He loves two cricket grounds. “The Adelaide Oval is my home ground now. I always choose the window seat to watch as the plane lands, reminding myself how grateful I am that this country accepted me. Having said that, I get the same feeling when I go to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. That’s where I grew up watching and playing cricket.”
Sundaresan’s Instagram account captures kids asking for a selfie, a testament to his ever-growing popularity. “I get humbled when I get stopped for selfies or autographs from people of all ages and genders. It’s been amazing to not have played the sport and get that mutual respect. I love the love.”
And when asked whether he is more popular in India or Australia, he quips, “You are embarrassing me now.”
Connect with Indira Laisram on Twitter
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Cricket maven Bharat Sundaresan, a Mumbai native turned Adelaide commentator & author, shares his journey from addiction to sobriety, navigating cricket cultures in India & Australia, & addressing racism. 🏏📚🎙️ #TheIndianSun @beastieboy07 @indira_laisramhttps://t.co/v0xvD0Q5KP
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) January 2, 2024
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
