Mandira Bedi, a pioneer in Indian television and fitness, has also had a groundbreaking journey in cricket broadcasting. However, her entry into the male-dominated arena wasn’t met with open arms. In an interview with Zoom, the actress opened up about the judgment and exclusion she faced during her time as a cricket presenter. Mandira, who made headlines for bringing glamour to cricket commentary, revealed she was often met with disdain by fellow panellists. “The judgment actually came from the people who were on the panel. They were not very accepting of me. If I asked a question, they’d just stare me down and talk about whatever they wanted to talk about, and I’d be left like do I even exist here? I did feel very disrespected and I didn’t like the way I felt very excluded,” she said. Despite the cold shoulder, Mandira didn’t back down. With time and confidence, she pushed forward and took command of her role on live television. “Even if they didn’t respect me personally, they had no choice but to show me respect on screen,” she recalled, adding that her refusal to be silenced earned her space in the panel. She also touched upon the trolling she experienced well before the age of social media. The channel had advised her not to engage with online commentary initially. “Only when I found my feet and I was feeling good and comfortable, they said, ‘Go ahead now. See whatever.’ And I saw the stuff that was written about me.” The remarks were hurtful. “It doesn’t feel nice to be called a bimbo or an airhead or a dummy,” she said. But Mandira stood firm. “I’m here and I’m finishing this tournament and having fun.” Mandira not only changed perceptions but also paved the way for women in Indian sports broadcasting.