Irfan Pathan Excluded from IPL Commentary Team
It has been suggested that his removal was due to complaints from some players regarding his commentary, which they perceived as carrying a personal agenda against them.;
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has been reportedly removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) commentary team. This decision comes in the wake of allegations that he made biased comments concerning specific players during his commentary stints. English media outlets have highlighted his absence from the official commentary panel for the IPL's 18th season, which kicks off today. It has been suggested that his removal was due to complaints from some players regarding his commentary, which they perceived as carrying a personal agenda against them.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), responsible for the IPL, has previously taken action against commentators who were found to be in breach of conduct. This is not the first instance where the BCCI has decided to exclude commentators from panels due to controversial remarks. In 2019, Sanjay Manjrekar faced exclusion for his critical comments about Indian players and a subsequent dispute with Harsha Bhogle. Similarly, Bhogle was also removed from the commentary team ahead of the 2016 IPL season.
Pathan's commentary, specifically during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, stirred controversy among players, leading to at least one player blocking his contact. Following his exclusion from the commentary panel, Pathan launched a YouTube channel, hinting at a direct approach to discussing cricket. He announced his new venture on the 'X' platform, emphasizing a no-filter interaction about the game, "Mic on... Filter off. Let's talk directly with Irfan. Let's talk about the facts."
It's worth noting that before his removal, Pathan had been a commentator for several IPL seasons. However, his recent commentary, described by reliable sources as having a "personal agenda," has led to his current predicament. This incident underscores the importance the IPL places on maintaining impartiality and professionalism among its commentators.
Conclusively, Irfan Pathan's journey as an IPL commentator has come to a halt due to allegations of biased commentary. His exclusion reflects the BCCI's commitment to upholding the integrity of the commentary panel. As the IPL continues to evolve, the role of commentators remains critical in delivering an unbiased perspective of the game to fans worldwide.