The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season began on March 22 with a match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
However, the high-profile opening match was overshadowed by a major development in the world of cricket commentary: former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s absence from the official IPL 2025 commentary panel.
IrfanPathan, a regular presence in previous IPL seasons, was conspicuously missing from the newly announced list of commentators by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Reports have surfaced indicating that Irfan Pathan’s commentary style had become a point of contention among several Indian cricketers.
The primary grievance stemmed from accusations that Irfan Pathan’s commentary was biased and excessively critical of certain players.
Sources suggest that some players felt his personal opinions were infiltrating his professional analysis, leading to complaints lodged against him.
A key flashpoint was Irfan Pathan’s remarks on Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which allegedly upset the star batsman. Irfan Pathan’s critical stance on Hardik Pandya’s return to domestic cricket also created tension.
Reports further revealed that one unnamed player blocked Irfan Pathan’s number, an action that underscored the growing rift between the commentator and certain players. This exclusion follows a pattern of discontent over the past few seasons.
Irfan Pathan has been accused of pushing a personal agenda during his commentary, with some players claiming that his interactions, particularly during interviews, came across as condescending.
The BCCI, reportedly, could no longer overlook these concerns, leading to his removal from the panel.
One source noted, “It’s been happening for the last two years, where his personal biases were becoming evident.” This unrest ultimately led the BCCI to make the decision to exclude him from the IPL commentary panel.
The complaints reached a tipping point when an unnamed cricketer allegedly blocked Irfan Pathan’s number after expressing displeasure over his critical comments.
This isn’t the first time that commentary changes have stirred controversy in Indian cricket. In 2020, Sanjay Manjrekar was removed from the BCCI’s commentary panel following a series of on-air confrontations, including a famous disagreement with fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle.
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