Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan was snubbed from the IPL 2025 commentary panel after he was alleged to have personal bias against a few players. He will not be seen doing commentary through the remaining season.
The IPL 2025 kicked off on March 22 in Kolkata with KKR and RCB playing the season opener. The Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening game. Irfan, who generally commentates in Hindi was not seen as part of the Hindi commentary team for the match.
He was also not heard commentating on the match for the SRH vs RR and MI vs CSK matches. RCB, CSK, and SRH won their respective first games.
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Irfan Pathan Terminated From IPL Commentary
According to a report in the Times of India, Pathan has been kicked out of the commentary team over personal bias against a few players. The sources close to the broadcasters picked up the matter and BCCI has reacted strongly against it. There were reports of him bringing out personal grudges on air an also on social media.
"Pathan had a fallout with a couple of players a few years ago. Since then, he has not shied away from referring to them aggressively. The matter was raised that other junior players got caught in the crossfire. He has been accused of taking potshots at them on social media platform even if he didn't name them," the report quoted a BCCI source as saying.
Meanwhile, the Indian all-rounder has also launched his own YouTube channel named "Seedhi Baat With Irfan Pathan" on March 22. He will be providing in-depth analysis of all the IPL matches after being left out of the commentary panel.
Irfan Pathan is not the first Indian commentator to be snubbed from the commentary panel. Previously Sanjay Manjrekar was removed from the commentary panel by the BCCI over his "bits and pieces" remark against Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
"I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whether they choose to have me or not & I will always respect that. Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance of late. I accept that as a professional," Manjrerkar posted on social media after being snubbed.
Previously in 2016, eminent commentator Harsha Bhogle was not part of the IPL 2026 commentary panel as well He also posted on the social media asking an explanation as to why he was snubbed from the commentary panel.
"I still don't know why I am not doing the IPL. I can accept the fact that people don't like me. But I genuinely hope it isn't because cricketers have complained about what I have to say," Bhogle had posted on social media.
RCB, SRH and CSK have won their season openers with Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants facing off on Monday.
Also Read: IPL 2025: TV Umpire to Make Final Call on Overhead Wides and Outside Off Wides
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