During his interview on "Lallantop," former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan addressed the widely reported reason for his removal from the IPL 2025 commentary panel. While it was initially speculated that his criticism of Rohit Sharma was the cause, Pathan's interview revealed a more nuanced situation.
Here is a breakdown of the key points from his Lallantop interview regarding the commentary issue:
The Role of a Commentator: Pathan stated that a commentator's job is to provide honest analysis for the fans, not to protect players. He believes in praising players when they perform well and criticizing them when they don't. He emphasized that the commentator's primary responsibility is to the audience.
Criticism of Rohit Sharma: Pathan acknowledged that he had criticized Rohit Sharma's performance in Test cricket during the 2024/25 season, specifically noting his low batting average. He explained that his comments were based on performance and not on any personal grudges, and that he had said if Rohit was not the captain, he might not have been in the playing XI based on his form at the time.
Addressing Accusations of Bias: Pathan also addressed the perception that he and other commentators were overly supportive of Rohit Sharma. He explained that there is a professional courtesy to be polite to players when they are guests on a broadcasting channel. However, he maintained that he and his fellow commentators had still provided an honest critique of Rohit's performance.
Hardik Pandya's Role: Some reports and fan discussions have also linked Pathan's removal to his criticism of Hardik Pandya, particularly regarding his performance and captaincy. In the interview, Pathan mentioned that if he were to be lenient, he would still have criticized a player in "7 out of 14 matches." He also clarified that there is no personal rivalry between him and Hardik, and that he has always supported players from his home state of Baroda, including the Pandya brothers.
The "Personal Grudges" Allegation: Pathan's removal was reportedly due to the broadcaster's dissatisfaction with him "bringing personal grudges on-air." While no names were explicitly mentioned in these reports, the timing of his comments on both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya led to public speculation.
In essence, Pathan's interview with Lallantop clarified that he believes he was removed for fulfilling his duty as a commentator by offering honest, performance-based criticism, rather than for holding any personal grudges. He stood by his commentary and highlighted the need for unbiased analysis in the sport.
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