sports desk58 minutes ago
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Jatin Sapru is a commentator in Star Sports.
Star Sports broadcaster Jatin Sapru believes that the biggest mistake is to think that the viewer knows everything. He says that many viewers are not pro-cricket fans, it is important to tell them about all aspects of the match. At the same time, he told that in his broadcasting career, the India-Pakistan match held at MCG in the year 2022 is his favorite match. They will never be able to forget it.
Star Sports, the official broadcaster of T20 World Cup 2024, organized the Dream Job Contest. After participating for about eight weeks, national powerlifting athlete and runner Soumi De Sarkar bagged the Star Sports ‘dream job’. Jatin was the winner of ‘Dream Job’ in 2007.
Dainik Bhaskar talked to ‘Dream Job’ contest winner Soumi Dey and broadcaster Jatin Sapru….
Bhaskar’s conversation with Soumi Dey…
1. You were first an athlete, then came into broadcasting, so how did this change happen and what were the benefits of being an athlete?
Soumi- As an athlete, you acquire many life skills. It is used in every stage of life. Learned from sports, preparation is important. When I became an athlete, discipline came and that was beneficial.
Soumi Dey was the winner of ‘Dream Job’ contest.
2. What kind of content do you like to create?
Soumi- Overall the journey as a creator was fantastic. During this time I created content related to cricket and fitness. Also, I am a scientist so I have created a lot of content on science. The best thing here was that whatever topics we got were quite interesting. When you see our content, you will see how much we enjoy creating content. There was some content in Journey which I liked.
There was a challenge in it, whose name was ‘Ajab Fan’. Where I went to a restaurant in Mumbai, the entire staff was mute. There was also a cricketer among the staff there. His passion for cricket was worth seeing. I interacted with him and after that I also took a small interview with him. That was a special content which I liked very much.
Apart from being an athlete, Soumi Dey is also a scientist.
3. 2 thousand people applied for the dream job. How was the journey during the entire process?
Soumi- The journey was quite interesting. I become very serious about anything. But I enjoyed it. During this period we all created many things. We all were having a lot of fun. When my name came in the final-10, I realized that maybe this is going somewhere in my career. We went to Ahmedabad when the IPL playoffs started. We learned a lot there.
We got to interact live, with fans. Had to understand his passion. He had to be brought in front of the people. it was exciting.
Bhaskar’s conversation with Jatin Sapru….
1. In today’s era, along with knowledge in commentary, it becomes very important to engage the viewers also. how do you do this?
Jatin- First of all it is important to be honest. The biggest mistake would be to assume that the viewer knows everything. Please assume that you also have to inform. You also have to entertain. You have to do what’s best while respecting the dynamics of the match. The viewer should feel that this broadcast is for him. For example, if a fan’s friends or family have less knowledge of cricket, they should still feel that there is something for them too.
You can’t take your viewer for granted. You cannot think that the viewer will know everything. For example, someone who is a fan of cricket knows that there is a free hit on a no ball, but perhaps there will be some audience who do not know this.
You have to research about stats, trends, fan preferences to prepare. When you watch a match on TV, it seems like it is a big deal, then you go to the ground and you see that there is only a cricket match going on. The TV Pe 35 looks very different amidst the cameras and noise. So you have to create a balance. You have to understand how you can make the game relatable to the viewer.
Jatin Sapru has been associated with the broadcasting industry since 2007.
2. You meet the players. Meet different commentators. What is the difference between their reel life and real life?
Jatin- If the intention is good then the content will be good. Every player has his own personality. Like Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, they all want to entertain the fans. Bollywood is full of secrets in Suryakumar Yadav. Some players make reels based on information or knowledge.
All the players become uncomfortable on camera. It is important to know who the presenter is with them to make them comfortable. Winning anyone’s trust is a big challenge. The player trusts you that you have not come with any wrong agenda. You will not try to humiliate him. You have come to know his honest side. Only then do they talk openly.
3. What separate research is done for analysis in special matches like India-Pakistan matches?
Jatin- The analysis and all the hard work is done well in advance before the tournament. We do all the research before the tournament. Know everything about all the teams. At the same time, before the match, ground, strategy, pitch, statistics of previous matches are all taken out. Let’s also analyze the playing eleven. Finding a story amidst all this is challenging. It depends on your senses.
We always like to go into the depth of the story. What is really going on? We prepare our script by maintaining a balance between emotions, preparation and conditions.
4. How do you control emotions as a presenter? What was going on in the last India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match held at MCG?
Jatin- So many outcomes on one ball rarely come in any match. In real time you don’t know what is going to happen next.
Talking about the match held at MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), that match can never be forgotten. We were there, it seemed like the match was lost, but we had to control our emotions and encourage the team that played well.
I remember when I was leaving the commentary box and going towards the field, Sunil Gavaskar sir was sitting outside. We were broadcasting. As soon as I came on the field, I saw that Virat Kohli hit Haris Rauf for a six in front. We started winning. For a few seconds I couldn’t understand what happened, and within a moment my emotions changed.
Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli came after the match. His emotions were at their peak. A little part of all of us was always left there.
However, it becomes challenging in the World Cup. There you are supporting your country.
5. How did you start your career, how different was your dream job selection?
Jatin- I was not an athlete. I considered myself a field cricketer. Because I played zonal. Was a science student. So he went to do engineering. After just 6 months, I left engineering after fighting with my family and took up journalism. I had no aim, rather I was interested in advertising and political journalism. Then the selection for the dream job started and a friend asked me to apply. Auditions were held in 5 cities and journalists with many years of experience were also sitting with me. Then the selection happened in the top-18 and then it kept happening. I gave my best.
Aptly named, it really is a dream job. Every success comes at the right time, hence today’s people should not run away and give the best to whatever they get. You can learn from anyone, camera man, producers also teach you a lot. Just keep enjoying your small successes.
