An Exclusive Interview with sports anchor Ridhima Pathak: Career shift, sports broadcasting journey, favourite memories

Ridhima Pathak stands as a beacon of inspiration in the realm of sports broadcasting, embodying the perfect blend of passion, intellect, and charisma. With her roots firmly planted in engineering, she has carved a remarkable niche for herself in a field that often feels worlds apart from her academic beginnings. Graduating with a degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from the prestigious MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Ridhima initially embarked on a conventional corporate journey. Her role as a marketing analyst at American corporation showcased her analytical prowess and strategic thinking, yet her heart yearned for the vibrant world of sports.

Driven by an insatiable passion for athletics and an innate talent for storytelling, Ridhima took a bold leap of faith into the dynamic universe of sports journalism. Over the past decade, she has emerged as a prominent sports presenter, captivating audiences with her eloquence and infectious enthusiasm. Whether she is anchoring live from the electrifying atmosphere of the Women’s Premier League or providing insightful commentary during international cricket tournaments, Ridhima’s presence is nothing short of magnetic. Her ability to connect with viewers transcends mere reporting; she brings to life the emotions, triumphs, and challenges that define the sporting experience.

What sets Ridhima apart is not just her impressive credentials but also her unwavering commitment to empowering others. She recognizes that the world of sports media is rife with opportunities waiting to be explored. Through her work, she actively seeks to inspire young talents—especially women—encouraging them to pursue their passions fearlessly.

In addition to her broadcasting achievements, Ridhima is an advocate for inclusivity in sports. She believes that diverse voices enrich the narrative of athletics and strives to create platforms where underrepresented stories can be told. Her dedication to fostering a more inclusive environment within sports media resonates deeply with audiences and aspiring journalists alike.

As we delve into this interview with Ridhima, we invite you to explore not only her professional journey but also her insights on the evolving landscape of sports journalism. Join us as we uncover the layers of this remarkable individual whose passion continues to inspire countless others to chase their dreams and redefine boundaries in the world of sports.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Q. Could you share your journey of transitioning from engineering to sports anchoring? What drew you to the field of sports broadcasting?

Ridhima: Yeah, it is quite a transition, firstly I was in Marine engineering and since I didn’t want to pursue that, I took a drop that year to get into a stream of my choice. In college, I used to get various anchoring stints and gigs which I did, plus I also was quite curiously in liking of my voice too, as I loved recording my voice and listen to it, so that I could work on it. Sports when I talk, I really need to credit my mother for that as she is the one who is an avid follower of cricket.

Since Pune is not such a big city, the talent pool is quite familiar to each other and one gig led to another, and I remember I got a chance to anchor various cricket leagues in Pune where in one of them I met Ayaz Memon, he complimented me for my voice and told me to audition for Star Sports. I was preparing for my GMAT at that point but also working for an American corporation, and one fine day I took a step calculating that I could take a chance and go for the gigs, where I would get more time to prepare for GMAT. I texted the Star Sports talent hunt team and suddenly they called me for an audition in Mumbai the next day. So, I took an overnight cab and reached the place, where they asked me to participate in a week-long workshop and finalised me for the Hockey India league pre and post-show anchoring. And now here we are…

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Q. How challenging is it for a sports presenter to remain unbiased and manage emotions while covering intense events?

Ridhima: You know my journey to love the sports has been interesting as I first fell in love with the team and then the sports or we could say with one particular player of the sport whom you prefer to follow and get to know the sports through him or her. So, when the person fails to perform you also shatter for a bit and since we all are humans it shows too for bit in front of the camera.

In 2019, I think I was in love with the team more than the sports, the time when India lost in the semi-final against New Zealand, I had tears in my eyes and I was standing beside the boundary line. All the broadcasters went in to prepare for the show but it took me more time to get prepared for the show. From thereafter, I feel when I to cover other sports I noticed that being in love with sports doesn’t mean you only need to enjoy the wins but also appreciate the losses too and appreciate the oppositions who played you well. And if you notice the veteran broadcasters who have been covering a particular sport, do love the game more than the team, of course there is a soft corner but when you fall in love with the sport a mindset develops where you are much more in awe of the game and not just the team.

Q. Do sports anchors follow specific fitness routines to prepare for the demands of their job? If so, what does yours look like?

Ridhima: Work out! It’s a simple calculation that what you eat should be lesser than what you burn, whether you do it that day, week or even month, so that’s your easy cover on physical fitness. For mental fitness you need to meditate as it really counts, have a proper 8 hours of sleep, I feel both mental and physical fitness are more of interrelated, I don’t work out to look sleek I work out to be sane and with my mental health. Therefore, it is in direct proportions.

Now when we talk about vocal fitness, I had an opportunity to work with Paul Crane and he used to finish a bottle of honey with lukewarm water while commentating the game, the reason behind it was to sooth his vocal nerves. Many commentators just use lukewarm water, as due to long stints your voice gets worn out and then there are some people who are blessed with great vocals.

Q. What’s your take on India’s recent performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?

Ridhima: As an Indian cricket fan we must be disappointed and we are disappointed for sure, We could have lifted the trophy and we all had our hopes up for a better run but again when we say as a sports broadcaster and sports fan, I am more of a sports lover now so, need to just appreciate the opposition who played well on the given day.

Q. Could you share some of your favourite memories or experiences from your time in broadcasting?

Ridhima: Some of the fondest memories that I’ve had of live broadcasting have been I think during, during the 2019 World Cup though it was not live, I was covering digital for ICC I had the opportunity to interviews Virat Kohli, then captain so it was really a very special interview that I took. After that I took Nasir Hussain’s interview.

I recently hosted Paris Olympics athletes and I think that has to be the most enduring memory I’ve had in my sports career so far, as I got to know many of them, shared a decent camaraderie over time and also very keenly observed their mindset representing at such a big event. So, I think some of the fondest memories that comes through the Paris Olympics.

Here’s the full interview:

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