Photo Credit: Facebook Photo of Irfan Pathan
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been left out of the commentary panel for IPL 2025, marking a surprising absence from the broadcast team. Since retiring from cricket, Pathan had become a familiar voice in IPL commentary, but he was notably missing from the opening clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday.
A report from The Times of India suggests that the decision stems from the broadcasters’ dissatisfaction with Pathan, alleging that he brought personal grudges into his commentary and social media interactions. A BCCI source cited in the report stated, “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.”
Despite being dropped from the panel, Pathan has found another platform to share his insights. On March 22, he launched his own YouTube channel, Seedhi Baat With Irfan Pathan, where he provides in-depth analysis of the game.
Pathan is not the first high-profile figure to face exclusion from commentary duties. In 2020, Sanjay Manjrekar was removed from BCCI’s commentary team for India’s ODI series against South Africa after his controversial “bits and pieces” remark about Ravindra Jadeja during the 2019 World Cup. Reacting to his removal, Manjrekar stated, “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.”
Similarly, in 2016, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle was also left out of the IPL commentary panel. Expressing his confusion, Bhogle had shared, “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.”
Meanwhile, on the field, RCB started their IPL 2025 campaign on a high note, securing a 7-wicket victory over KKR in the season opener.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
