Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has been left out of the IPL 2025 commentary panel, reportedly due to allegations of personal bias. His exclusion has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the decision and whether it was influenced by internal politics within the cricketing fraternity.

Controversial Commentary Clip Leads to Backlash

Pathan’s removal from the panel comes in the wake of a viral commentary clip where he made remarks that some claim were critical of certain players and teams. The video, which gained significant traction on social media, led to speculations that Pathan’s commentary style was not well received by certain stakeholders in the league.

Related News

Adding to the intrigue, reports suggest that Pathan’s close association with Gautam Gambhir, who has had his fair share of run-ins with several high-profile cricketers, might have played a role in his exclusion. Many fans and analysts argue that Pathan has been unfairly targeted for simply expressing his views on the game.

 

Reacting to his removal, Pathan took to social media, expressing his disappointment. He emphasized his commitment to providing unbiased and insightful commentary, arguing that his remarks were purely analytical and not meant to favor or undermine any player or team. While he refrained from making direct accusations, his statement hinted at deeper issues within the cricketing ecosystem, where voices that challenge the status quo often face repercussions.

Previous Instances of Commentators Facing the Heat

Pathan’s exclusion is not the first instance where an Indian commentator has faced backlash. Several notable commentators have found themselves in controversy over the years:

Harsha Bhogle (2016): The renowned commentator was sidelined from IPL commentary after allegedly being critical of certain Indian players. His exclusion sparked widespread outrage, with many arguing that he was removed for simply doing his job.

Sanjay Manjrekar (2020): Known for his blunt opinions, Manjrekar was briefly removed from the commentary panel following his controversial remarks about Ravindra Jadeja, where he called him a “bits and pieces” player.

Navjot Singh Sidhu (2019): The former cricketer-turned-commentator was removed from a broadcasting panel following political controversies.

Pathan’s exclusion has reignited discussions on whether the IPL’s broadcasting space is becoming increasingly controlled. With past instances of commentators being sidelined for their opinions, questions arise over the degree of freedom commentators have in expressing their views. Many believe that cricket commentary should remain independent and free from political and corporate influence.

As IPL 2025 progresses, it remains to be seen whether Pathan will be reinstated or if his exclusion marks a broader shift in how commentary is managed in the league. Meanwhile, his removal continues to be a talking point, with fans and analysts debating the fairness of the decision.