It’s the summer season of 2024, and Vindhya Vishakha Medapati is again on the small display for the continued star-studded Indian Premier League (IPL). Glamorous and spontaneous, Vindhya, one of many Telugu presenters — actor Nandu and anchor Ravi being the opposite two — has a manner with phrases and numbers for Star Sports activities channel. A VJ, mannequin and tv leisure host, Vindhya has created an area for herself within the area of interest cricket circuit.
Vindhya Vishakha in the course of the cricket World Cup 2023
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
“IPL 2024 is my seventh version,” says Vindhya, who was the primary feminine Telugu sports activities presenter for IPL in 2018. She provides {that a} presenter is a bridge between professional commentators and a cricket viewer. Whereas specialists (former cricketers) focus on methods, technicalities and intricacies of the gamers’ sport/group, a presenter tries to see a match via the viewers’ eyes, asking questions and clarifying doubts. Their interplay with stars coming to the tv studios will increase the joy and boosts viewers engagement.
Presenter for Professional-kabaddi
Presenter with Professional-Kabaddi
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
Born and introduced up in Hyderabad, Vindhya, an English literature scholar from Kasturba Gandhi Diploma and PG School for Girls was an extrovert with no stage fright.
Her tv stint began in her faculty days, as a information presenter on HMTV in 2011, and grew to change into a bunch, for leisure, and sport reveals/programmes for Star Maa, TV9, Zee Telugu and ETV. Having performed for the Darling Devils group in Kevv Kabaddi (kabaddi sport present) on Gemini, she made her debut as a sports activities presenter for Professional-kabaddi (KBD Stay Season 5) in 2017 for Star Sports activities (Telugu).
When Star Sports activities acquired the broadcasting rights of IPL and was in search of a Telugu sports activities presenter, Vindhya was not assured as cricket was a sport she had solely watched and cheered. She nonetheless went forward to audition for the position with a ‘it’s simply an audition, not an actual presentation’ perspective; being chosen was a pleasing shock to her.
Literature scholar
Vindhya Vishakha with Ravi Shastri
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
Although a fan of the now-defunct Deccan Chargers franchise, she by no means considered changing into a presenter, it was her cricket fanatic husband Vishal, who was her enormous assist. Recalling their preliminary days of marriage, she says with fun, “Generally I used to see him watch a cricket take a look at match at 2am and would jokingly say, ‘I’m going to divorce you should you watch like this’ however after I bought the IPL present provide, it was his flip to tease me and say, ‘God is there, I’m so completely happy he’s placing you in the suitable place.”
Type of presentation
Memorable second… Vindhya Vishakha with David Beckham
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
She has come a good distance from being nervous and doing homework earlier than a presentation. Having watched sports activities presenters Mandira Bedi and Mayanti Langer, Vishakha created her distinctive model. Interacting with specialists and sports activities presenters of English, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil channels throughout breaks, watching a sport with others and making notes have all been a part of her studying expertise.
Deal with statistics
with actor Nani
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
Her discuss factors, inquiries to specialists and presentation model advanced over time. The expertise of presenting the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 and the Asia Cup and interacting with Vivian Richards, Sachin Tedulkar and David Beckham have been feathers in her cap. “ . Earlier I might learn up about batsmen’s and bowlers’ strategies. Now, I do know the game, get the statistics proper and browse the docket to recollect the important thing contest between two groups. .”
Spreading Telugu flavour
IPL commentary group
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
Presenting comfortably in Telugu is an added benefit. “My mom says, maa ammayi ki emochhina raaka poyina, Telugu maatram spashtam ga ravali ( whether or not my daughter will get something or not, she ought to get the Telugu accurately).” Catching up with commentator Harsha Bhogle (“Harsha loves speaking to me as a result of I converse plenty of Telugu with him”) or her video with DK (Dinesh Karthik in the course of the 2023 World Cup) in Telugu or lately educating a couple of Telugu phrases to MS Dhoni (Chennai Tremendous Kings) to show his daughter makes not simply her mom however Telugu cricket followers too fairly completely happy.
On the private entrance, coping with her father’s sickness (power kidney difficulty) has been anxious. “Initially, I couldn’t steadiness work and private life and used to cry. I used to be depressed for six months however have accepted the scenario now. I significantly respect my father, a farmer, who by no means rests. Even after dialysis, when he goes house to Ghatkeskar, he first goes to his dairy to are inclined to his cows and buffaloes.”
Subsequent purpose
Making a mark
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association
Exploring prospects to develop to the fullest has been her dictum for all times. Whereas she balances sports activities displays with pre-release occasions, trailer launches and company occasions, Vindhya hopes to be an entrepreneur.
Lastly, who does she suppose will win IPL 2024? “SunRisers Hyderabad; not solely as a result of I’m an enormous fan however the group is wanting nice,” she says with fun, , “Should you see the IPL historical past, the trophy went to the Hyderabad group when it had an Australian captain – (Adam Gilchrist/ Deccan Chargers (2009) and David Warner/SunRisers Hyderabad (2016). This time, we now have Pat Cummins, an Australian captain for the SunRisers group.”