In a dramatic turn of events, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been removed from the IPL 2025 commentary panel following serious allegations, sparking controversy in the cricketing world.
The IPL 2025 season kicked off at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, Pathan’s absence from the grand opening ceremony raised eyebrows, and his name was notably missing from the official commentary panel released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Reports suggest that multiple Indian cricketers complained about Pathan, accusing him of biased commentary and targeting specific players. The controversy escalated when one cricketer allegedly blocked Pathan’s contact following his remarks during India’s series against Australia.
Additionally, Pathan’s criticism of Virat Kohli’s form during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is believed to have played a role in his exclusion. Over the past two years, his alleged targeting of certain players has not been well received by BCCI officials.
This incident mirrors a similar controversy involving former commentator and ex-cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who was previously removed from the panel over contentious remarks.