During the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which legendary cricketer made his debut as a television commentator?

Introduction / Context:
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 was not only a major tournament for players and teams but also a significant event in cricket broadcasting. One of the biggest talking points during the opening match was that a legendary former Indian batsman made his debut as a television commentator. This question checks your awareness of high-profile cricket news and personalities connected with the 2019 World Cup.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event in question is the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
• We are specifically being asked about a debut as a television commentator, not as a player or coach.
• The options are four iconic Indian cricketers: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, and Rahul Dravid.
• We assume familiarity with each player's post-retirement media and commentary roles.

Concept / Approach:
Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. Although he had appeared in various roles such as brand ambassador and studio guest, his formal debut as an on-air television commentator happened during the opening match of the 2019 World Cup. Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, and Rahul Dravid had all previously worked as commentators or experts, so they were not debutants at that time. Therefore, identifying which of these legends was making a first-time commentary appearance in a live World Cup match is the key to the question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the hype surrounding the opening match of the 2019 World Cup, including special broadcast features. Step 2: Remember media reports highlighting that Sachin Tendulkar was joining the commentary panel for the first time in an official match broadcast role. Step 3: Consider that Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag had already been familiar voices in commentary and expert analysis before 2019. Step 4: Note that Rahul Dravid has tended to focus more on coaching and mentoring roles rather than live commentary. Step 5: Conclude that Sachin Tendulkar is the legendary cricketer whose commentary debut coincided with the opening match of the 2019 World Cup.

Verification / Alternative check:
Sports news archives, video clips, and official broadcasters' announcements from the 2019 World Cup opening match clearly mention that Sachin Tendulkar was making his commentary debut. Various sports websites and newspapers ran stories on his joining the commentary team, emphasizing the special nature of the moment for fans. These independent sources consistently confirm that Sachin, and not the other listed players, was the debutant commentator in that match.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sourav Ganguly had already been a well-established commentator and television analyst for several years before 2019, so he was not a debutant. Virender Sehwag, similarly, had appeared in multiple commentary and expert roles, especially on Indian sports networks. Rahul Dravid has occasionally offered expert opinions but is primarily associated with coaching and developmental roles, especially with junior and India A teams. None of these three made their first commentary appearance during the 2019 World Cup opener, leaving Sachin Tendulkar as the only accurate choice.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may mistakenly choose another famous name, such as Sourav Ganguly, simply because he is commonly seen on cricket broadcasts. Another error is to overlook the word “debut” and focus only on who is most iconic, leading them to guess without considering prior commentary experience. Paying attention to the specific detail that it was a first-time commentary role in the opening match is crucial for avoiding such mistakes.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Sachin Tendulkar, who made his television commentary debut during the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.