Sir — Whatever the political reasons behind it, the prime minister’s appeal to adopt Indian dog breeds — both to citizens and the armed forces — is encouraging. Perhaps now Indians will sit up and take notice of the Indie breeds that are neglected in favour of breeds like Labrador retrievers. Left to their devices, these breeds reproduce in large numbers creating an imbalance in local ecologies. Adopting strays can radically reduce urban man-animal conflict.

Rima Roy,
Calcutta

Ear to the ground

Sir — Ramachandra Guha’s article, “Aural pleasure” (Aug 29), kindled nostalgia. Guha mentions some noted commentators, praising them for their “profound understanding of the game’s history and techniques, and the ability (as well as desire) to transcend national partisanship.” However, while mentioning Indian commentators, Guha has done injustice. He has remarked, “[T]hey talk too much and talk over the action, all the while making it shamelessly obvious that all they want from a Test match is that their side should win.”

Those who have heard Indian commentators cannot but disagree with Guha on his allegations about the parochial approach of our commentators. Sunil Gavaskar, for instance, was the chairman of the International Cricket Council’s technical committee and is second to none in his knowledge about “the game’s history and techniques”.

About a decade before the period that Guha talks about, we had commentators like Sydney Friskin, Pearson Surita, Berry Sarbadhikari and Maharajkumar of Vizianagram or ‘Vizzy’. All of them were stalwarts and could make listeners feel as if they were present on the ground. Vizzy, however, often left listeners impatient because while the game was on, he used to narrate his personal experience of playing, sometimes allowing an entire over to pass by without actual commentary.

Sanjit Ghatak,
South 24 Parganas

Sir — Cricket remains suspended in a limbo in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic; there is little possibility of the game returning to normal anytime soon. The few matches that are being played are taking place under severe restrictions. At such a time cricket commentary gains utmost importance. Not everyone can afford OTT platforms where the matches are being streamed live. Many in India, for instance, still depend on radio commentary to enjoy matches while on the move. Others huddle in front of shops selling electronic goods to catch the match; the crowd in front of such TV sets is so huge that not everyone can see what is going on. Commentators thus have an important role to play in the present scenario.

Ramachandra Guha has rightly pointed out that commentators should focus on the game and not talk incessantly.

Subho Bhattacharjee,
Calcutta