News Broadcasting
CricketNext On-boards Renowned Sports Writers to Deliver Top Content
MUMBAI: News18’s CricketNext.com, the one-stop-destination for all cricket fans, in a move to bolster its riveting content, has on-boarded a host of renowned writersto contribute to the platform. The repertoire of standout writers includes Ayaz Memon, Siddhartha Vaidyanathan, PremPanicker, Snehal Pradhan, Anand Vasu among many other thought leaders in the cricketing world.
Recognised by cricket fans for their knowledge, insight and gravitas, the venerated writers will add depth to the coverage on the platform; providing sharp, focused writing that has helped them create a dedicated audience for their work over the years.
By providing in-depth match analysis, live blogs and one of the fastest scorecards, CricketNext has become the preferred destination for fans of the sport all over India. Bringing on-board a set of diverse and highly influential writers will accentuate the platform’s content; thereby providing consumers with more engaging and insightful analysis of the sport.
Speaking about the platform’s latest development, Gaurav Kalra – Group Editor (Sports), Network 18 said, “We are pleased to include a diverse range of writers on CricketNext.com and I am certain our readers will appreciate their insight, knowledge and gravitas. Not only are these among some of the most astute observers in the game but they come at it from varying perspectives and have built a dedicated audience for themselves over the years. I am hopeful that their pieces will make us a trusted platform among cricket fans not just in India, but around the world.”
The experts brought on-board will be seen sharing thought-provoking, insightful, sharp and edgy columns, providing eager fans eminently readable content on day in day out basis. In addition to the wide-ranging reporting cricket tournaments from around the world on the platform, the words of these titans will accentuate the comprehensive experience for the audience on CricketNext.
The dream team of CricketNext
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan – After 10 years of senior positions at ESPNCricinfo, he contributed to The Telegraph UK, Forbes, Wall Street journaletc.
Prem Panicker – One of the founding members of rediff.com, he went to become the Managing Editor of Yahoo India.
Amit Varma – Former managing editor of ESPNCricinfo with 15 years of experience, he has won the Bastiat Prize for Journalism twice.
Ayaz Memon – Has to his credit senior editorial roles at the Times of India, DNA and contributionsto the Hindustan Times and Asian Age.
Anand Vasu –His portfolio includes experience at ESPNCricinfo, Wisden India and Hindustan Times; and columns inThe Guardian, The Telegraph etc.
Snehal Pradhan – A former Indian cricketer, she is now a YouTuber –‘Cricket with Snehal’, who has written columns for ESPNCricinfo, Economic Times and Wisden India.
Freddie Wilde – A cricket data analytics whiz at CricViz, Freddie provides insightful statistical analysis on the game, while freelancing for ESPNcricinfo and Wisden Cricket.
Hemant Buch – Live cricket producer-director and sports broadcaster, Hemant has worked in senior positions at the Trans World International and Ten Sports.
Gaurav Sethi – Founder of a blogging collective, Bored Cricket Crazy Indians (BCC!) he also writes for Hindustan Times and DailyO.
Shrikant Subramanian – Even after Shrikant’s move to the US, he continued to build an audience for his incisive commentary on the game on social media and follows Indian cricket very closely.
Nitin Sundar–Formerly at ESPNcricinfo, Nitin is a blogger and observer with a keen sense of the finer points of the game.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
