NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has been removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commentary panel following multiple complaints from players regarding his commentary style, Indian media reported, citing sources.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly made the decision after several cricketers accused Pathan of biased analysis and allowing personal opinions to influence his commentary.
According to sources, concerns had been building for two years, with players alleging that Pathan’s personal biases were becoming evident in his on-air analysis.
Key flashpoints included his critical remarks on Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and his comments on Hardik Pandya’s return to domestic cricket, which reportedly upset the players.
One unnamed cricketer even blocked Pathan’s number, highlighting the deepening tensions. Additional complaints pointed to his condescending tone in interviews and a perceived personal agenda in his commentary.
Pathan’s exclusion became a talking point ahead of the IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens on March 22. His notable absence from the commentary team drew speculation, with sources confirming that the BCCI acted after multiple player grievances.
The move echoes a similar controversy in 2020, when Sanjay Manjrekar was also dropped from the commentary panel due to on-air disputes with players and colleagues.
With the IPL 2025 season underway, the spotlight has shifted from the field to the commentary box, raising questions about the role of commentators and their impact on the game.
