Meet South Africa's first Female Commentator, Kass Naidoo!

South Africa’s first female commentator Kasturi Naidoo recently admitted exactly when she wanted to be a commentator.

Had she be born in India, she may not have realised her dream of being a television commentator. In India, Harsha Bhogle is the only non-player contracted to commentate on television. Even former women cricketers have just about been brought into the fold talking about games sitting on the commentary box.

Naidoo’s grandparents, who are from Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh sailed to the Rainbow Nation year ago. Naidoo remembers exactly when she wanted to be a commentator.

“I was 14. I heard Donna Symmonds commentate in a series in South Africa and something grabbed my heart. For the first time, I felt connected to a game I had never quite understood before.

“Although I encountered cricket on TV, it was always middle-aged white men talking about the sport. Then came this beautiful Barbadian accent, soft, in control, authoritative. I turned to my mum and said that’s it. I’ve found my dream. I want to be South Africa’s first female cricket commentator,” Naidoo said to mid-day.

Naidoo admits as a teenager she was tomboyish being the younger sibling with two older brothers. She played netball, but never cricket.

Since finder her for cricket, all Naidoo wanted to do was study the game.

“Once I found my love for cricket, all I wanted to do was become a student of the game. From 14, all I did was learn about the game. I would leave school early, go to Kingsmead, sit under the big scoreboard and watch whatever cricket that was played. I just studied the game as much as possible with the help of my brother,” Naidoo adds.

Naidoo further revealed it was difficult for somebody to accept that she was chosen the face of 2003 ICC World Cup.

“It was difficult for some people to accept that I was chosen as the face of the World Cup in 2003, but for me, it was a no-brainer. I made my debut in 2003, and soon I became the first woman to host a post-match press conference. Conditions were conducive to change, and I was ready for the challenge, ready to grab the opportunity,” Naidoo stated.

Kass’ son Daniel, who turns nine shortly bowls leg spin and wants to meet Indian skipper Virat Kohli. He got a signed bat from AB de Villiers on his eighth birthday.

“He’s urging me to move to India so he can get better at bowling leg spin. The IPL has had such an impact on him that he thinks he can learn a lot more about cricket by just being there,” Kass concluded.

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