One of the better progressions in TV has been the infiltration of women presenters on sports channels. Maybe infiltration is a bad word, I’d call it a blessing. I’m personally tired of bald blokes giving expert advice and coming back two seasons later with a muff of hair on their head. As if the 22 men during the game weren’t enough. SO… here’s a list of names on that front–be it in cricket, football, and even American football–how can you not love these ladies?
01. Kirsty Gallacher
When Kirsty Gallacher talks, the poles melt a few inches. Sky Sports was my favourite channel during the seasons they had Kirsty locked in for post match evaluations and interviews. That Scottish accent sounds way better on her than on James Bond… but maybe I’m just biased.
02. Mandira Bedi
If there was one reason I was glued to IPL once upon a time, it was her. Quite the pioneer in India where women sports presenters are concerned, she actually talked more sense than Siddhu, and was way more pleasing to the eye than Shastri’s mug. She’s definitely found the anti-ageing fountain, I know it. Also, #MILF, hello!
03. Erin Andrews
A reporter with FOX for the NFL, Erin’s reason enough to follow that dumb sport. You can also catch her during the SuperBowl and when the World Series of Football is on.
04. Rochelle Rao
Oh those lips! How can you focus on required run rates when those lips utter them? Femina Miss India Rochelle hosted the sixth edition of the IPL, and more people waited for presentations than for Virat Kohli’s batting.
05. Pamela David
Argentine model and breakfast show host Pamela made the headlines when she posed nude for Interviu magazine. And a few other magazines. But it’s not like she wears a lot of clothes during her shows. Thank the Lord for South American TV shows.
06. Archana Vijaya
Former VJ Archana had as much to do with cricket as Einstein had to do with baseball. But nobody was complaining.
07. Sara Carbonero
Nobody can forget the moment Casillas planted a smooch on one of TV’s hottest football reporters, right after winning the 2010 WC. They recently got hitched, but she’s still on TV, don’t fret.
08. Shibani Dandekar
Singer, anchor, and model Shibani made it to the screen when those terrible players in the Celebrity Cricket League needed something stronger to keep viewers glued to TV. Who cares about Suniel Shetty’s bowling action, really?
09. Ilaria D’Amico
Gianliuigi Buffon may be the greatest goalkeeper in the world. But his greatest save was 43-year-old Ilaria D’Amico. Italians are like fine wine, aren’t they?
10. Sylvie Van der Vaart
The stunning blonde was married to Dutch captain Rafael Van der Vaart, but is now single again, yayy.
11. Lara Alvarez
Madrid based Marca TV’s most popular host Lara was also part of Big Brother Spain and Survivor. Her list of big name hook ups include Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol (who are sworn enemies on the pitch, btw) and even a certain fast man Fernando Alonso.