The date was October 1, 2023. The venue was Mumbai’s Lalit Hotel.
Cricketing vibes were in the air and engulfed one and all.
The scene was one epic player’s auction for the season one of Indian Veteran Premier League, an almost IPL-style event for the veteran cricketers from India and around the world.
The big screen projector in the massive conference room played the footage of Chris Gayle, the king of T20 cricket and the league’s brand ambassador.
Amid a packed gathering featuring six franchises’ owners and some distinguished former cricketers including Farveez Maharoof, there sat team bosses, former coaches and luminaries from the Board of Veterans cricket in India, especially its acting president or chief, Mr. Praveen Tyagi.
But due to the long duration of the event some shoulders stooped and some minds appeared frazzled perhaps doused in the great arithmetic of which players to elect and which to move on from.
But back on the stage, one earnest young man kept the audiences on their feet.
Those who had gathered were caught in rapt attention before focus could even wither away in a whisker thanks to some lucid remarks and careful observations made by a man who seemed as pleasantly dressed as he was astonishingly mature during all moments of the auction.
Holding the mic, you couldn’t gather the young lad’s age; his face imbuing distinct poise and the voice decked with a soothing sound that is music to the ears; a far-cry from today’s often loud words that seem more theatrical than original.
There was no yuppy sound in it. There was no meanness to it. Not in the least.
Suhaas Vedham kept us entertained. He kept us informed about each player’s strengths and the potential that he would bring to some really powerful outfits. And there were six, two from the Delhi NCR region itself- Red Carpet Delhi and VVIP Uttar Pradesh, the latter the inaugural season’s winners.
Then there were teams from Mumbai, Rajathan, Telangana and even Chattisgarh.
But amid the fancy outfits with even fancier names- it ought to be noted, Chattisgarh Warriors and Telangana Tigers- Suhaas Vedham made his mark with a distinct taste of simplicity.
I had the pleasure, as did my close mates who attended the event as cricket writers , Mumbai-based Pranay Rangra and Raipur’s Brian Lara aficionado Prashant Kumar Banjare, of witnessing a bright young man keeping the audiences on their tenterhooks.
A quarter of a year later, when the league’s maiden season unfolded and we as writers were busy covering live on-ground action, the attention tuned once again to that young man Suhaas Vedham.
Although, this time he wasn’t orchestrating and commandeering the players’ auction; he was the voice of poise holding the commentary mic.
And as dozens of astounding talents led to entertainment galore at Greater Noida’s cricket stadium, with the likes of Herschelle Gibbs, Chris Gayle, Naman Ojha, S. Sreesanth, Ricardo Powell, Suresh Raina (among the many) leading the charge, Suhaas Vedham’s smooth observation from inside the commentary box made Cricket’s fast paced action smooth and lyrical.
I noted the eagerness in this cricket obsessed youngster the desire to present the action as it is. Sans the theatrics. Sans the needless drama. Always with a context at the heart of each line. Backed up by facts. Always cohesive. No needless babble.
His attention also rested with some of the players who could so easily have slipped under the radar for they were popular renowned faces. Think Monu Kumar of Jharkhand. Suhaas remembered his domestic record in precise terms and didn’t have to find a way to bandage a simpleton’s cricketing skills with loud adjectives. He focused instead of how he was generating movement off the pitch as dozens of young new age content creators, true to the edgy entertainment of Instagram, focused just on reels and content that is being described as journalism when it’s fluff and fad-oriented.
Not that Instagram reels don’t matter, not Instagram lives or one line responses bordering on light hearted stuff don’t carry meaning. But if everyone would just focus on fun and frolic and easy-to-do content, then who’d explore the depths of the game? Who’d present to you the finer details that make cricket the game we love for its changing vagaries and thrills and details.
For beauty, as they say, lies in the finer details of sport and it is to these evocative and inspired narratives that Suhaas Vedham, born in Tamil Nadu but fast emerging as the bright shine of India in the world of cricket commentary belongs.
I’ve noted, unless I’m very much mistaken, that this year alone, Suhaas Vedham has covered three different continents, including the Middle East, Asia and North America, wherein he’s brought thorough and sincere commentary to our TV sets, handheld gadgets and what have you, whether it’s the recently inaugurated WTPL in Jaipur, Rajathan, the Bharatiya Corporate Premier League, National Cricket League in USA, or the Pro Cricket League, USA.
At times, when he’s not inside the commentary box; he’s on the ground covering the lesser known sides of cricketers and picking their brains on the sport in its current shape and form.
Regular social media updates that uphold the dignity of the lesser appreciated talents and underrated names also highlight why Suhaas Vedham is more than just a cricket voice; but a self-confessed student of the game.
His best years, I’m not compelled to believe-but genuinely-believe lie in the future. And here’s an exceptional personality in that he doesn’t find the need to wear loud clothes- thankfully- such as trying a yellow jacket with eye blinding white shoes or a blue jacket with white shoes to be noted.
Those whose craft is solid and command over the game is sincere and genuine don’t need to delve in shenanigans to stand out.
Their talent takes them forward and upwards. And it’s exactly what I wish for this well meaning and intelligent cricket talent: it’s onwards and upwards for you, Suhaas Vedham. You’re the growing voice of cricket in India and one in which we believe for its loveliness and honesty.
Happy birthday.
