As the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) approaches, the list of commentators has surprised many fans. Irfan Pathan, a former Indian pacer and a regular face in the commentary panel, has been excluded from the Hindi commentary team.
While most of the usual names have been retained, Pathan’s absence has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about the reasons behind his exclusion. Reports suggest that his removal is linked to controversies surrounding his comments on certain Indian players, leading to complaints that prompted the authorities to take action.
Controversy Over Comments on Indian Players
According to reports from My Khel, Irfan Pathan’s exclusion is due to his remarks about certain Indian cricketers during live commentary. Allegedly, some players took offense to his statements, which they believed were personal and inappropriate.
One player reportedly went so far as to block Pathan’s phone number after repeated instances of such comments. For the past two years, there have been growing concerns among top officials that Pathan’s commentary was biased and targeted specific players. This ongoing tension ultimately led to his removal from the commentary team for IPL 2025.
Not the First to Face Removal
Irfan Pathan’s situation is not unprecedented in Indian cricket commentary. In 2020, Sanjay Manjrekar faced a similar fate when he was dropped from the BCCI’s commentary panel following complaints about his comments.
Similarly, in 2019, Harsha Bhogle encountered repercussions for his remarks about Sourav Ganguly. These incidents highlight how strong opinions or criticism of players can lead to serious consequences, even for experienced commentators. Pathan’s exclusion from the panel follows this pattern, demonstrating that controversial remarks do not go unnoticed by the cricketing authorities.
Irfan Pathan’s Response and Fan Support
After his removal, Irfan Pathan took to social media to announce the launch of his new YouTube channel, “Seedhi Baat with Irfan Pathan.” Through this platform, he plans to share his insights and opinions freely without restrictions.
His initiative received overwhelming support from fans, with over 1,000 subscribers joining within hours of the channel’s launch. Despite the controversy, Pathan’s popularity remains intact, and his loyal followers continue to appreciate his analysis of the game. His move to YouTube reflects his determination to stay connected with cricket enthusiasts and share his perspective openly.
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