By Jairaj Chhetry
Cricket is not sustained by runs alone. It lives in pauses, in silences heavier than applause, in the long walk back to the mark, and in the breath a crowd holds before the ball leaves the bowler’s hand. It survives on rhythm, anticipation, and memory. And sometimes, it endures because someone gives those fleeting moments a voice—steady, thoughtful, and faithful to the spirit of the game.
From the sun-scorched local grounds of Tura to the heightened theatre of state-level finals, Sushanta Biswas, one of Tura’s most recognisable cricketing voices, has been that presence. For more than twenty-five years, his commentary has not merely followed the game; it has accompanied it—patiently, attentively—turning action into narrative and competition into shared experience. His voice has grown familiar to players and spectators alike, not because it seeks attention, but because it respects the moment.
This is not a story of overnight success. It is a journey shaped by time, trust, and an enduring love for cricket—one that unfolded quietly, without haste, yet with unwavering purpose.
Where It All Began: There was no grand plan behind the beginning. During his college days, at a local Day-and-Night Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament organised by the then MDC Billykid Sangma, Sushanta Biswas was given a simple responsibility—announcing scores. It was an unassuming role, far removed from the glamour often associated with commentary. Yet, within that modest duty lay the first hint of a larger calling. What stood out was not loudness, but clarity; not flourish, but composure. His announcements carried a natural rhythm, a sense of timing that drew attention without demanding it. Spectators listened. Players noticed. Encouragement came quietly but consistently, expressed through nods, smiles, and the subtle expectation that his voice would soon do more than announce numbers. Before long, the score announcer was invited to take on full commentary—within the same tournament, among the same people, on the same ground. It was an organic progression, born not of ambition, but of trust.
Cricket, however, had entered his life long before the microphone did. His love for the game began in childhood. His father, a skilled football player, believed sport was not merely recreation, but discipline—of the body, the mind, and the spirit. Growing up in such an atmosphere, passion came naturally. Sushanta played cricket till college and followed the game with keen curiosity, collecting information, keeping records, and studying performances. He came to commentary not as a performer, but as a student of the game—one who believed understanding must precede expression.
Learning the Language of the Mic: The early years demanded preparation rather than applause. Live, ground-level commentary requires accuracy, awareness, and restraint. There are no second chances, no edits, and no scripts to fall back on. One must know what entertains, what informs, and—perhaps most importantly—when silence itself speaks louder than words. Sushanta watched matches tirelessly. He listened to seasoned broadcasters on radio and television, absorbing cadence and control, not to imitate, but to learn. He observed how experienced commentators respected the ebb and flow of a game, how they allowed cricket to breathe. Over time, he discovered a simple truth: when the game finds its rhythm, commentary must follow its pulse—not attempt to lead it. Mistakes were made, lessons absorbed. Each match added a layer of understanding. Slowly, confidence replaced hesitation, and preparation became instinct.
District Cricket: The True Classroom: District cricket became his real training ground. Regular commentary for tournaments organised by the Tura District Cricket Association shaped his professional values. At this level, cricket is earnest and uncompromising. Players compete with pride, spectators watch with emotion, and every word spoken into the microphone carries weight. Here, Sushanta Biswas learned responsibility. Commentary was not about clever lines or dramatic exaggeration, but about fairness—motivating players, acknowledging effort, praising good cricket, and remaining neutral at all times. In district matches, one is often commentating for neighbours, relatives, and familiar faces. Neutrality, therefore, is not just professional—it is moral.
Among many moments of appreciation, two remain unforgettable. One came when Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma approached him and said simply, “Aap bahut achha bolte ho.” The words were brief, but their impact enduring. Another came during a prize distribution ceremony when Meghalaya Cricket Association Secretary Gideon Kharkongor publicly expressed hope that he would one day commentate in IPL matches. Such moments did not inflate ambition; they strengthened belief and renewed commitment.
Stepping onto the State Stage: In 2022, a significant milestone arrived. Sushanta Biswas received his first opportunity to commentate at the state level during the Under-19 Boys’ final between Shillong Cricket Association and East Garo Hills. The difference was immediate. The cricket was sharper, the pace quicker, and the margins finer. The atmosphere was heavy with ambition. These were players chasing futures beyond the boundary rope. The commentary, too, had to rise to the occasion—measured, informed, and precise. The response from players, officials, and fellow commentators was encouraging. Many advised him to seek wider exposure and think beyond familiar grounds. It was recognition earned through consistency rather than spectacle, through trust built match after match.
A Voice the Crowd Remembers: With time, names fade, but voices endure. Many spectators recognise him simply as “the commentator.” Some players, with affectionate humour, refer to him as “Local Harsha Bhogle.” He accepts such comparisons with humility, aware that affection—not acclaim—gives them meaning.
Beyond cricket, his comfort with the microphone has taken him to cultural and musical stages as an anchor. Yet the cricket ground remains his natural home—the place where his voice finds its truest purpose. Despite more than twenty-five years in commentary, he has received no official awards. For him, the applause from the stands and the trust of listeners across the Garo Hills are honours enough. Appreciation, he believes, is not a resting place—it is a reminder to remain sincere and evolving.
Moments That Stay: Some moments refuse to fade. One such memory is a breathtaking Tennis Ball cricket innings by former Ranji player Kilco Marak—fearless stroke-play, towering sixes, and effortless timing that electrified the crowd. The commentary flowed naturally because the cricket demanded it.
There were moments of loss too. Sharing the commentary box with the late Kalyan Sharma, known for his Hindi anchoring, had been reassuring. After his passing, Sushanta was compelled to take on Hindi commentary more fully. What began as necessity gradually became strength, and today he moves with ease between Hindi and English.
There are lighter memories as well. On one occasion, a police officer, impressed by his fluent Hindi, insisted that Sushanta must be from Delhi or Uttar Pradesh. When told he was born and raised in Tura, the officer refused to believe it, saying his Hindi was “too pure.” It took explanation—and shared laughter—to settle the matter.
Language, Balance, and Belief: Comfortable in both Hindi and English, he believes Hindi carries immediacy and warmth, echoing the golden era of All India Radio commentary. Language, however, is only a medium. Integrity is the message. Personal preferences may exist, but neutrality remains sacred. A commentator must never play for one side—only for the game.
Beyond the Boundary: Sushanta Biswas sees district and state-level commentary as still evolving, full of promise if nurtured well. With increasing demand for local-language broadcasts, the space is open for new voices. His advice to young aspirants is simple: love the game, respect the microphone, and bring honesty to your words. Learn before you speak. Listen before you judge.
When asked how he wishes his journey to be remembered, his answer is quiet and resolute:
“I learned from radio and television, shaped my own path, and stayed true to the game. Remember me as the man who chased his dreams.”
A Journey That Travels Beyond Home: Sushant Biswas, a distinguished and much-admired local cricket commentator from Tura, has been invited to lend his voice to the prestigious Pepsi Cup cricket tournament, scheduled for January 2026 at Siliguri. The tournament is expected to showcase high-intensity limited-overs contests featuring leading club and regional teams from North Bengal and neighbouring regions. His inclusion is more than a personal milestone; it stands as a quiet yet powerful acknowledgment of the calibre of cricketing voices emerging from the Garo Hills—voices shaped by grassroots cricket, earned credibility, and an unwavering respect for the game—now finding resonance far beyond the boundaries of Meghalaya.
