Former India all-rounder opens up on being removed from IPL 2025 commentary panel, addressing criticism of top stars and his broadcasting approach.
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan, known for his T20 World Cup-winning exploits and engaging commentary, has finally addressed why he was not part of the IPL 2025 commentary panel.
The news surprised fans, as Pathan has been a prominent voice in cricket broadcasts, including India vs England series. Reports suggested broadcasters were unhappy with him allegedly bringing personal grudges on-air or via social media.
In a candid interview with Lallantop, Pathan clarified his stance on commentary responsibilities and spoke in detail about three cricket superstars—Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya.
Irfan Pathan on Commentary Responsibilities
- “As a broadcaster, the job is to describe what’s happening and why. We guide fans, praise great performances, and critique shortcomings,” Pathan said.
- He emphasized that commentators’ responsibility is to fans, not the players.
- Pathan highlighted the importance of maintaining professionalism and neutrality while broadcasting.
Comments on Top Players
Virat Kohli
- Pathan recalled Kohli’s slump in 2019-20.
- “I backed him a lot because a player of his stature deserves support during their first slump. But if a slump lasts five years, that’s not acceptable.”
- He clarified that his social media posts reflected honest analysis, not personal bias.
Rohit Sharma
- Pathan said Rohit is an excellent white-ball cricketer but his Test average at the time was low.
- “If Rohit were not captain, he wouldn’t have made the playing XI. As a broadcaster, we were polite during interviews, which was interpreted as unnecessary support.”
Hardik Pandya
- Without naming him directly initially, Pathan addressed criticism of Pandya’s IPL performance.
- “If I criticized seven times out of 14 matches, I went soft seven times. Our job is to balance critique with understanding.”
- Pathan emphasized that there is no rivalry between him and Pandya.
- He praised his support for Baroda players like Pandya, Deepak Hooda, and Swapnil Singh, stating they had guidance and sponsorship opportunities from him and Yusuf Pathan.
On Controversy and Professionalism
- Pathan said that broadcasting involves controlling emotions while critiquing players.
- He opposed derogatory language used against cricketers.
- “Criticism is part of the game, whether it’s Sachin, Gavaskar, or Hardik. But disrespectful words are unacceptable.”
- Pathan insisted that his commentary aimed at fans’ understanding, not creating controversies.
Irfan Pathan’s candid explanation clears the air around his IPL 2025 commentary snub. By addressing his approach to analysis and support for top players, he reinforces his commitment to professionalism, fairness, and responsibility toward viewers.
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