AIR commentator Anant Setalvad passes away

Regarded as a giant in cricket commentary on All India Radio (AIR), Anant shared the microphone with Vijay Merchant, Pearson Surita, Raju Bharatan, Balu Alaganan and Suresh Saraiya.

Anant Setalvad has done commentary for Ranji Trophy, other BCCI tournaments and also for Test matches.

Anant Setalvad, whose pleasant baritone voice distinguished him from other cricket commentators from the mid 1960s through to the 1980s, passed away in the early hours of Sunday.

Anant was 84 and is survived by two sons, Kevic and Tarshish.  Anant’s funeral rites will take place at 4 PM at Worli Crematorium on Monday.  “He was ailing for some time. He died  at 12.40 AM Sunday,” said his son Kevic, who was the additional solicitor general of India from 2012-14.

Regarded as a giant in cricket commentary on All India Radio (AIR), Anant, belonging to the illustrious legal family of the Setalvads, shared the microphone with Vijay Merchant, Pearson Surita, Raju Bharatan, Balu Alaganan and Suresh Saraiya. 

“Anant was an aristocrat. Fluency and fluidity went hand in hand with him. He was easy in delivery, accurate in description, on the ball and all in all he was a pleasant commentator,” said Bharatan.

Anant was a commentator with AIR for Ranji Trophy and other BCCI tournaments and also for Test matches. He was on the AIR panel for the 1969 India-Australia Test match in Mumbai and also in the panel for the 1973 Test against the Tony Lewis-led England at the CCI.