Steve Smith, the star Australian batter, made his commentary debut in an unusual way on Friday for the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Earl🀅ier this week, Smith had announced his participation in the T20 tournament, but he had not revealed the exact nature of his involvement. Th♌is led to speculation that he could be commentating since he had not signed up to play with any team in the IPL.
Smith’s appearance alongside his countrymen Tom Moody and Aaron Finch at Star Sports’ pre-match coverage in India confirmed the speculation that he would be a commentator. However, while Moody and Finch were physically present, Smith appeared as a hologram. The unusual TV experiment was well received by cricket lovers on social media.
GOAT of Test – Steve Smith in Star Sports IPL panel.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Australian Cricketer Steve Smith joined the commentary 🌺panel via Hologram technology!!
Steve Smith looks like he's really present. Sci-fi stuff.
Suddenly we s𝔉ee real tim💖e implementations of technologies which were a buzz word for past few years!
— Jatin Malhotra (@jatin1malhotra)
Wonderful use of technology by Star Sports to have Steve Smith's hologram in the studio as part of the IPL coverage, while he is in Australia.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Ste⛦ve Smith joins the Star broadcas🍌t’s panel via Hologram technology ��🤩
📸: StarSports
— Mominul Islam (@MominulCric)
Star Sports officially announced that Smith would be involved in the network’s commentary of the lucrative IPL. In a statement, the network said, “Steve Smith has joined the expert panel for the marquee tournament. Smith will be making his broadcast debut with Star Sports, adding his invaluable insights and expertise to Star Sports’ already impressive roster of panellists.” This ended the mystery about🔯 his return to the event.
The 16th edition of the IPL started in Ahmedabad on Friday, with ten teams and a host of celಌebrities i🅷n attendance for the eight-week tournament. With Smith’s inclusion in the commentary panel, fans will have another reason to tune in to the matches. Smith’s vast experience and knowledge of the game are expected to add value to the coverage of the tournament.