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Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been left out of the IPL 2025 commentary panel, reportedly due to complaints from Indian players accusing him of bias and personal agendas.
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off on March 22, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the tournament opener. However, fans were quick to notice Pathan’s absence from the official broadcast team.
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Why Was Irfan Pathan Dropped?
According to sources, multiple players expressed dissatisfaction with Pathan’s on-air criticism, claiming it was personal rather than analytical.
🔹 Broadcasters were reportedly unhappy with Pathan for bringing personal conflicts into his commentary and social media posts.
🔹 A source told Times of India:
“Pathan had a fallout with some players a few years ago. Since then, he has aggressively criticized them on air and on social media. Even younger players have been caught in the crossfire.”
🔹 One Indian cricketer was reportedly so frustrated that he blocked Pathan’s number after repeated criticism during India’s tour of Australia.
Reports from My Khel also claim that Pathan displayed “attitude” during interviews with certain players, which didn’t sit well with the BCCI and the broadcasting team.
Pathan Responds with a New YouTube Show
Following his removal, Irfan Pathan took to social media to announce the launch of his YouTube channel.
▶️ New Show: “Seedhi Baat with Irfan Pathan”
📌 In this show, he promises to share unfiltered insights about cricket, suggesting he might continue his critical takes away from mainstream TV.
Not the First Time a Commentator Has Been Dropped
Pathan is not the first high-profile broadcaster to be removed due to player complaints.
🔹 Sanjay Manjrekar faced similar disciplinary action after calling Ravindra Jadeja a “bits and pieces player” and clashing with Harsha Bhogle on air.
🔹 Harsha Bhogle was abruptly pulled off the commentary team before IPL 2016 after alleged disagreements with Indian cricketers.
What Next for Pathan?
Despite this setback, Irfan Pathan remains a popular cricket analyst and will continue to share his views through his own platforms. However, his absence from IPL 2025’s official broadcast marks a significant moment in the league’s commentary dynamics.
With the tournament underway, it will be interesting to see if Pathan’s exclusion impacts viewership opinions, especially among fans who appreciated his bold takes.
