Who is Bharat Sundaresan? Cricket Writer, Author, and Commentator Extraordinaire

In the world of cricket journalism, few names command as much respect as Bharat Sundaresan. He’s not just a writer, he’s a storyteller, a historian of the game, and a voice that cricket enthusiasts around the world have come to trust. From covering the Indian cricket team to authoring bestselling books, Sundaresan has built a career that blends deep statistical knowledge with compelling narrative flair.

Early Life and Education

Bharat Sundaresan was born on 8 May 1985 in Mumbai, a city that breathes cricket. Growing up in the bustling metropolis, he nurtured a passion for writing from an early age, a passion that would eventually define his professional life.

 

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He attended Fatima High School, Vidyavihar (W), Mumbai, where his academic journey began. But it was his decision to pursue a course in journalism at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai that truly set the stage for his future career. The rigorous training he received there equipped him with the skills needed to navigate the demanding world of sports journalism.

Today, Sundaresan resides in Adelaide, Australia, reflecting his global cricket engagement. The move to Australia has allowed him to cover the game from a unique vantage point, offering perspectives that few Indian journalists can provide.

Career Journey: From Chess to Cricket

The Early Years at The Indian Express

Bharat began his professional journey in May 2008 at The Indian Express, one of India’s most respected newspapers. He joined as a special correspondent and cricket writer, but interestingly, his initial beat wasn’t cricket at all, he started by covering chess.

It didn’t take long for him to transition to reporting on the Indian cricket team, and that’s where he found his true calling. Over 10.5 years at the newspaper, he became a well-regarded voice in sports journalism, earning the trust of readers and colleagues alike.

The Move to Australia and Cricbuzz

In December 2018, Sundaresan made a significant life and career decision, he moved to Adelaide, Australia, joining Cricbuzz as a senior writer and Australian correspondent. This move allowed him to cover Australian cricket from the ground up, offering insights that few Indian journalists could match.

 

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Beyond writing, he also works as a colour commentator for SEN, Melbourne’s sports radio station, bringing his analytical expertise to a wider audience through audio broadcasts.

A Unique Side Hustle: Umpiring

Since 2019, Sundaresan has also umpired in the South Australian Cricket Association. This hands-on involvement in the game gives him a unique perspective that enriches his writing and commentary, he literally knows the game from the inside out.

The Musician Side

Apart from journalism, Bharat has showcased his creativity as a drummer in a heavy metal band. It’s a fascinating contrast to the world of cricket writing and reflects his diverse talents beyond the sport.

Books by Bharat Sundaresan

Bharat Sundaresan is also an accomplished author with three notable works to his name:

The Dhoni Touch: Unravelling the Enigma That Is Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2018)

This book became a national bestseller in India. Penned mostly at The Grind, Norwood, South Australia, it offers an intimate look at one of cricket’s most enigmatic figures. For fans of MS Dhoni, this book remains essential reading.

Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me (2021

In this work, Sundaresan explores the life lessons that cricket and life have taught him, offering readers a blend of personal reflection and cricketing insight.

The Miracle Makers: Indian Cricket’s Greatest Epic (2023)

This book chronicles one of Indian cricket’s most memorable achievements, cementing Sundaresan’s reputation as a cricket historian and commentator.

These publications have established him as more than just a journalist, he’s a chronicler of cricket history, preserving moments and stories for future generations.

Awards and Recognition

In 2013, Sundaresan won the ‘Red Ink Award’ for best sports story for his article “The One Who Dropped the Ball,” which highlighted the cricketer Anil Gurav. The award recognized his sharp reporting and storytelling skills, which have earned him recognition across multiple media platforms worldwide.

Family and Personal Life

Bharat Sundaresan married Isha Chatterjee on 16 January 2013. He has a younger sibling, Sid Sundaresan, and is the son of Usha Sundaresan.

His personal life has been closely intertwined with his professional journey. The move to Adelaide was partly motivated by supporting his wife’s studies at Flinders University, a decision that ultimately opened up new opportunities in his career as well.

Controversies: Speaking Out Against Racism

In 2022, Sundaresan made headlines for highlighting issues of racism in Australian cricket. Through a widely discussed tweet addressing venue security personnel, he brought attention to discriminatory practices and spoke out against injustice.

The post reflected his courage in speaking against discrimination while asserting his professional credibility. It demonstrated that Sundaresan is willing to use his platform not just to talk about cricket, but to address important social issues that affect the game and its community.

Net Worth

While specific figures regarding Bharat Sundaresan’s net worth are not publicly available, his sustained career in cricket journalism, commentary, and book publishing positions him as a successful figure in the industry. His continued presence at Cricbuzz, his work as a commentator, and the success of his books, especially the national bestseller The Dhoni Touch, all contribute to a thriving professional career.

Social Media Presence

Bharat is a prominent figure on social media, engaging with fans and the cricket community across multiple platforms. Here’s his social media following:

• Instagram: 101K followers (@bharat.sund)
• X (Twitter): 122.4 followers (@beastieboy07)
• LinkedIn: bharat-sundaresan
• Facebook: 4K friends

FAQs

Who is Bharat Sundaresan?
Bharat Sundaresan is an Indian cricket writer, author, and commentator known for his work with Cricbuzz and multiple bestselling books.

What is Bharat Sundaresan’s educational background?
He completed a journalism course at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, after attending Fatima High School, Mumbai.

Which books has Bharat Sundaresan authored?
His notable books include The Dhoni Touch, Believe, and The Miracle Makers.

Has Bharat Sundaresan received any awards?
Yes, he won the 2013 Red Ink Award for Best Sports Story for his article on Anil Gurav.

Where does Bharat Sundaresan currently live?
He currently resides in Adelaide, Australia, working as Cricbuzz’s Australian correspondent.

What is Bharat Sundaresan’s date of birth?
He was born on 8 May 1985 in Mumbai.

Has Bharat Sundaresan faced any controversies?
In 2022, he highlighted racism in Australian cricket via a widely discussed tweet.

What is Bharat Sundaresan’s Twitter handle?
His X (Twitter) handle is @beastieboy07 with 122.4K followers.

What are Bharat Sundaresan’s other interests?
He is also a drummer in a heavy metal band and has umpired in the South Australian Cricket Association since 2019.

Bharat Sundaresan’s journey from a young journalism student in Chennai to one of cricket’s most respected voices is a story of dedication, versatility, and an unwavering love for the game. His work spans continents from reporting on the Indian cricket team for The Indian Express to covering Australian cricket for Cricbuzz from Adelaide.

What sets him apart is his ability to tell stories that resonate. Whether he’s unraveling the enigma of MS Dhoni in a bestselling book or highlighting racism in Australian cricket through a tweet, Sundaresan brings a journalist’s integrity and a storyteller’s touch to everything he does.

His diverse interests from heavy metal drumming to umpiring make him a fascinating figure beyond the cricket field. And his willingness to speak out on important issues shows that he’s not just a passive observer of the game but an active participant in shaping its future.

For cricket enthusiasts looking to understand the game more deeply, Bharat Sundaresan’s work is essential reading. He doesn’t just report on cricket he helps us understand its soul.

                                               

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