Irfan Pathan excluded from IPL 2025 commentary panel over alleged bias

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has been removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commentary panel following a series of complaints from players regarding his commentary style, Indian media reported citing sources.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly made the decision after growing dissatisfaction from several cricketers who accused Pathan of biased analysis and allowing personal opinions to influence his commentary.

“It’s been happening for the last two years, where his personal biases were becoming evident,” said a source close to the matter.

Players raised concerns that Pathan was overly critical of certain individuals, with tensions flaring over his remarks on Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and criticism of Hardik Pandya’s return to domestic cricket.

One unnamed player even blocked Pathan’s number, highlighting the deepening rift. Additional complaints cited a condescending tone during interviews and a perceived personal agenda in his commentary.

Pathan’s exclusion overshadowed the opening match of IPL 2025, held on 22 March between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens.

The BCCI’s move mirrors previous controversies in Indian cricket broadcasting. In 2020, Sanjay Manjrekar was similarly removed from the commentary team after on-air disputes with players and colleagues.

The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season began on 22 March with a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. 

However, the spotlight soon shifted from the pitch to the commentary box, with former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan missing from the BCCI’s official commentary panel.

Pathan, a regular voice in previous seasons, was notably absent this year. Reports suggest his removal stemmed from discontent among several players regarding his commentary style. Allegations of bias and overly critical analysis were at the heart of the issue, with some cricketers feeling that Pathan’s personal opinions were creeping into his professional commentary.

A key moment of tension was Pathan’s remarks on Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which reportedly upset the star batsman. His criticism of Hardik Pandya’s domestic cricket return also fuelled discontent.

Sources revealed one unnamed player went as far as blocking Pathan’s number. One source said, “It’s been happening for the last two years, where his personal biases were becoming evident.”

Some players also accused Pathan of adopting a condescending tone during interviews. With growing complaints, the BCCI reportedly decided it could no longer ignore the issue, ultimately leading to his exclusion from the panel.