Commentary Controversies
Reports are circulating that former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is notably absent from the IPL 2025 commentary panel. The alleged reason behind his exclusion is stirring up conversation: dissatisfaction over him potentially bringing personal issues and grudges, particularly concerning certain players, into his commentary work. Interestingly, Pathan isn't the first prominent cricket voice in India to find himself reportedly sidelined for reasons perhaps extending beyond match analysis – which is outside the commentary perview.
What's the Story with Irfan Pathan?
Pathan, who transitioned from player to commentator after retiring in 2020 and had lent his voice to major events like the IPL and World Cups, was allegedly dropped from this year's IPL lineup due to concerns from broadcasters. According to reports there was unhappiness about Pathan letting personal disagreements with players influence his commentary, both on-air and potentially on social media. A BCCI source reportedly elaborated, suggesting past fallouts led to "aggressive" references and taking "potshots," sometimes catching other players in the crossfire, even if names weren't explicitly mentioned. Pathan recently started his own YouTube channel offering match analysis.
Other High-Profile Cases
Pathan's reported situation might ring a bell for cricket fans, recalling other instances where commentators faced unexpected removals:
- Harsha Bhogle (2016): Many were stunned when the veteran broadcaster Harsha Bhogle was abruptly dropped by the BCCI just before the 2016 IPL season, despite his long association and involvement in promotions. At the time, an unnamed senior BCCI official told that decisions were based on "feedback from everyone," including monitoring social media and taking "inputs from players," leaving the specific reasons open to interpretation.
- Sanjay Manjrekar (2020): Former player Sanjay Manjrekar was temporarily removed by the BCCI in 2020. This followed a well-publicized disagreement with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during the 2019 World Cup, where Manjrekar termed him a "bits and pieces" cricketer. Jadeja's sharp online response escalated the matter. Although Manjrekar later admitted Jadeja's performance proved him wrong, this incident, along with a prior tense on-air exchange with Bhogle, preceded his brief suspension before he requested reinstatement.
The Tightrope Walk for Commentators
These situations highlight the delicate balance commentators often need to maintain. While insightful analysis and even strong opinions are part of the job, crossing into perceived personal attacks or letting past conflicts during commentary can apparently lead to repercussions from broadcasters or the cricket board. The line between critical analysis and personal bias can sometimes seem hazy.
