Mandira Bedi : 'It's cricket for me all the way'

[Love or Hate me]

[center]Mandira Bedi : 'It's cricket for me all the way'



During the first two seasons of the Indian Premier League, Indian viewers grew accustomed to Mandira Bedi -- the so-called first lady of cricket -- as the charming host of the annual inter-India competition.



But, for the third season, things have changed. Aside from a few IPL specials for MAX in India, Mandira's now hosting an IPL show on a channel in the United Kingdom, ITV.




Why the sudden shift to the UK to host the IPL show on ITV?
Actually, it was like a dream come true. One evening I got a call from the ITV office in London. They asked me whether I had commitments for IPL 3, and said that they were looking to have me on board to front their coverage, along with one of their ITV sports presenters.
I did have some commitments in the middle part of the tournament in India, so I gave them dates accordingly. They were keen to have me on board, so they agreed and it all worked out quite nicely.
What is the ITV show all about? How is the UK treating you?
It's wrap-around programming like I have done before. I am in a studio with a co-host, Matt Smith. We have ex-cricketers like Clive Lloyd, Vikram Solanki, Graham Thorpe, Graeme Hick, Alec Stewart and Mark Ramprakash, who come in every day.
It is pretty much like any wrap-around cricket programming. We provide analysis before, during and after the game. And every time there is a commercial break in India, we talk over live images. So we don't have respite for even a second through the day! It's fun to call it as you see it.
The United Kingdom and all the people have made me feel so comfortable. I am thoroughly enjoying my stint here and what makes the whole experience memorable is that the audience has accepted me as a host. I have been told that the channel's ratings have gone through the roof and all of us are very excited with the way the entire country has embraced us.

Image: Mandira Bedi

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The ITV ratings have shot up since you stepped in. Comments?
ITV ratings have been good for the tournament. Seven or eight times more than the ratings of the channel that covered it last year. It's nice to know people are tuned in. And it's also great to be a part of all the excitement.
Do you miss the Indian audience? How different are the audiences in the UK? Do the Indians in Britain react differently?
In India, cricket is a religion. I don't think there is any place in this world that follows cricket the way we Indians do. So it just isn't the same without the Indian audience.
Having said that, the next place that follows cricket as passionately is the UK, the Mecca of cricket.
The audience in UK which I am interacting with is very knowledgeable about cricket. They would have loved it more if the English cricketers were playing in the IPL.
The Indians in Britain are Indians and for them cricket is just that -- a religion.

Image: Mandira Bedi

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Do you plan to take on anchoring for other sports?
It's cricket for me all the way. I don't know as much about other sports as I do about cricket. But if something exciting comes around, I would love to.
Will you be doing any films, reality shows or soaps after the cricket season?
If something interesting comes my way, I would definitely take it up. But no for the TV soaps. I think I have done a bit on television, but I do like hosting shows on television, reality or otherwise. Let's see what comes my way. It's cricket for the moment for me!

Image: Mandira Bedi

[chandoo]

I like her but don't like her hairstyle...

[ujala]

Mandira phly buht moti thi


but ab achi lagti ha

[Love or Hate me]

thanx