Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commentary panel following complaints from several cricketers, Indian media reported Monday.
According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the decision after concerns emerged regarding Pathan’s alleged bias in commentary. Players reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over his analysis, accusing him of allowing personal opinions to influence his remarks.
A source close to the matter stated, “It’s been happening for the last two years, where his personal biases were becoming evident.”
Pathan’s commentary had reportedly upset several high-profile players, with tensions flaring over his remarks on Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and criticism of Hardik Pandya’s return to domestic cricket. In a sign of the growing rift, one unnamed player allegedly blocked Pathan’s number.
Other complaints cited his condescending tone during interviews and a perceived personal agenda in his analysis.
His exclusion became a major talking point during the IPL 2025 season opener on March 22, when Kolkata Knight Riders faced Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. The decision to drop Pathan overshadowed the match, drawing parallels to previous controversies in Indian cricket broadcasting.
In 2020, Sanjay Manjrekar was similarly removed from the commentary panel following on-air disputes, while Harsha Bhogle’s abrupt exit in 2016 had also sparked speculation over behind-the-scenes tensions.
Despite the setback, Pathan appears unfazed by the controversy. On March 22, he launched his own YouTube channel, Seedhi Baat With Irfan Pathan, where he aims to continue providing cricket analysis independently.
Meanwhile, the IPL 2025 season kicked off with an enthralling contest, with Royal Challengers Bangalore defeating Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets at Eden Gardens. While the on-field action captivated fans, the off-field dynamics surrounding the commentary panel continue to generate headlines.
