Irfan Pathan excluded from IPL 2025 commentary panel; here's why

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season kicked off on March 22 with an exciting opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens. However, the much-anticipated match was overshadowed by a significant development in the world of cricket commentary: former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s absence from the official IPL 2025 commentary panel.

Pathan, who has been a regular fixture in the IPL commentary team in previous seasons, was notably missing from the recently announced list of commentators by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His exclusion has sparked discussions and controversy among cricket fans and players alike.

Reports have emerged suggesting that Irfan Pathan’s commentary style had become a point of contention among several Indian cricketers. The primary concern was that his commentary was perceived as biased and overly critical of certain players, which led to complaints lodged against him.

Sources indicate that some players felt that Pathan’s personal opinions were influencing his professional analysis, and that it was affecting the tone of his commentary. A particular flashpoint in the tension came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when Pathan made remarks about star batter Virat Kohli that reportedly upset the player. Additionally, his criticism of Hardik Pandya’s return to domestic cricket added to the growing tension.

Further reports revealed that an unnamed cricketer even blocked Irfan Pathan’s phone number, which highlighted the deepening rift between the commentator and certain players. This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of dissatisfaction over the past few seasons regarding Pathan’s commentary style.

Some players accused Pathan of pushing a personal agenda during his commentary, particularly during interviews, which they felt came across as condescending. This growing unrest was reportedly impossible for the BCCI to ignore, which ultimately led to Pathan’s removal from the commentary panel for IPL 2025.

One source commented, “It’s been happening for the last two years, where his personal biases were becoming evident.” 

The complaints about his style reached a tipping point, forcing the BCCI to make the decision to exclude him from the panel.

This situation is not the first time that commentary changes have caused controversy in Indian cricket. In 2020, former commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was also removed from the BCCI’s panel after a series of on-air confrontations, including a well-known disagreement with fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle.