IPL babes score low on TV

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As a nation obsessed with cricket, it comes as no surprise that IPL is probably the most watched programme on the small screen — with its high dose of drama, suspense, glamour and fashion making it a complete package. Karishma Kotak and Rochelle Rao are glamming up season six, and sporting everything from tube tops, racer backs, spaghettis, short skirts, hot pants to formal suits.

Right from the days of Mandira Bedi and her famous ‘noodle straps’, woman presenters of cricket have attracted attention, be it positive or negative. How do the ladies of season six fare on the glam-meter?
“I would say pretty mediocre. Neither do they sport something extraordinarily glamorous, nor are their dresses very sporty. A presenter’s wardrobe should have a certain character and convey a certain progression. That is absolutely lacking. Mandira’s strong personality complemented her noodle straps. I am not sure about these girls,” says designer Aniket Satam, associated with sportswear designing, apart from his other projects.
He also points out, “I like the way Sameer Kochhar’s look is designed. It reflects his personality, with a certain splash of colour, either in his ties or shirts.”
Asked whether the fashionable presenters dilute the seriousness of the sport, the business head of Max famously replied, “The focus is on fun and entertainment and not on serious cricket. The girls are not chosen for their knowledge of cricket. Give them some time, they will get better.”
But emcee and former model Ramneek Pantal, who has presented various shows from time to time, disagrees with that. “Glamour can never be a substitute for intelligence. A presenter is supposed to have a fair knowledge of the event he/she is associated with, which in this case would be cricket. Having said that, the presenters have been spotted wearing embellished stuff and short dresses. That has no connection with the sports field. Personally, I would love to see them wearing more sporty stuff,” opines Pantal.
Presenting a particular show is all about being yourself, feels anchor Mini Mathur. If that is kept in mind, a presenter will look comfortable in their skin and not appear as a ‘glam prop’, she adds. “I like to watch the fresh faces of women presenters that IPL brings to our drawing rooms each season. The bright shades of their dresses, the variety in their wardrobe and the pretty faces make me watch the league more enthusiastically,” says Mini.
While the glam quotient on the field has found a sizable set of detractors, designer Sunita Shankar has the last word. “The fact that women presenters are attracting attention, negative or positive, shows they are being noticed. Period,” she finishes.