Devender Kumar
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A brief biography
As of 2024
Pratyush Raj, Sep 11, 2024: The Indian Express
Three weeks ago, before the final of the domestic T20 league organised by Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), a jam-packed Kabul stadium gave a standing ovation to an Indian. It was the acknowledgement of the popularity enjoyed by 36-year-old Devender Kumar, who as a teenager had left his village Chutarpura, comprising less than 1,000 people, near Jodhpur in Rajasthan to pursue his dream of being a cricket commentator. It hasn’t been an easy journey.
In 2017, after calling polo matches and school cricket games in Jaipur for more than a decade, Devender had got a career-changing international break. Word had spread about his work and he would get invited by ACB to be the English commentator for domestic tournaments that till then had only Pashto voices.
Devender quickly made his mark, and fans would love his simple description of the game. Internationally, he would be the voice of Afghanistan cricket. During the 2023 World Cup in India, BBC’s Test Match Special would sign him up as the regional expert.
So last month when he stepped out for the toss before the title clash, the Afghan fans decided to show their collective gratitude. “It still gives me goosebumps,” Devender tells The Indian Express at Greater Noida where he is part of the commentary team for the Afghanistan-New Zealand Test. “They started chanting my name, they clapped for over a minute. It was a pretty surreal feeling, something I am going to treasure till my last breath.”
Former Afghanistan assistant coach Raees Ahmadzai, who has played 5 ODIs and 8 T20Is and is currently working with U-19 cricketers in Kabul, lauds Devender for what he has done for Afghanistan cricket. “He is more Afghan than Indian now. He knows the stats and numbers of Afghan domestic cricketers like no one else. He is loved by the cricketers, the fans and he indeed is the voice of Afghanistan cricket,” says Ahmadzai.
Growing up in the 1990s, Devender would be glued to the television when India played. One match from the era that would stay in his mind forever was an India vs Australia game at Sharjah in 1998. The way late English commentator Tony Greig described Indian master batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘desert storm’ hundred would inspire the village boy, who quit studies after school. Since that day, Devender has wanted a microphone in his hand.
“I never played cricket at any level. The voice of Tony Greig is the reason I wanted to become a commentator. I am just a cricket enthusiast, who is learning and falling in love with this beautiful game every day,” he says.
Rough road
With no clear plan, Devender would leave his village and move to Jaipur. “I reached Jaipur in 2006 and the first place I visited was the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. I had no clue about anything. People were surprised that where people usually come to join the cricket academy, I came to become a commentator,” says Devender.
That was the time when former Aussie captain Greg Chappell had left the Indian team and was associated with Rajasthan cricket. “Chappell saw me practising commentary one day and gave me a signed cap. During my time in Jaipur, I spent a lot of time listening to BBC programmes, be it cricket commentary, football or tennis. I would try to copy it,” says the commentator who also interned for All India Radio and called inter-district games.
Seven years back, things began to stir for Devender. “My first international break came in 2017 during the Afghanistan vs Ireland series. I still don’t know who recommended my name. During my endless visits to the SMS stadium, I met Alan Wilkins, Danny Morrison, Harsha Bhogle and others. I guess one of them recommended my name to the ACB,” says the commentator who now spends 30-40 days every year in Afghanistan covering List A and first-class matches.
Devender’s family does worry about him when he travels to his place of work that has a history of violence. But the commentator can’t keep away from Afghanistan – a nation, he says, whose passion for cricket is the same as that for football in Brazil or Argentina.
Devender did have a close shave in 2022 when a bomb went off at the Kabul stadium during a game. “I was 10 yards away from the blast site. Two people died and there were several injuries. It happened during the innings break of the Shpageeza League match between Pamir Zalmi and Band-e-Amir,” he reminisces.
Following the incident, after Devender left Kabul, Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib shared a heartfelt note on social media, thanking the Indian commentator. “Devendra Thanks for your love and support with @ACBofficials and our Nation in this difficult time. We will never forget your great efforts and respect,” Naib had posted on social media.
Devender was touched by the post. “This is the bond I have with the players and fans, and that’s why I kept on going back,” he says with a radiant smile.
