Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed his stance following his ouster from the IPL 2025 commentary team. Pathan has been a regular broadcaster since his retirement but was snubbed for the IPL this year, after reports of personal bias. The Baroda Express was known to have favoured both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but has now set the record straight.
Pathan on commentary row: If a player doesn’t perform, you have to criticise
As per reports, Pathan was ousted from the commentary panel for bringing personal grudges during broadcasting. He was said to have rubbed against several star cricketers, while also being accused of bias. Now in an interview with Lallantop, the former all-rounder rubbished those claims. Pathan said that he held no grudges and stayed true to his job as a broadcaster.
“I believe that the job of commentators is to tell the story beyond what is visible, what is happening, why it is happening, and why it is happening. If a player performs well, then praise him. If he cannot do so, then criticise him. The responsibility of the commentator is not for the player but for the fans,” Pathan said.
Before IPL 2025, Pathan was part of the Border Gavaskar Trophy panel. India lost that series 3-1, which saw the end of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s test careers. Irfan was vocal about his criticism against the experience duo, which is believed to have irked the broadcasters and the fans.
“Rohit Sharma is an amazing white-ball player. However, his average in Test cricket that year was 6. So we said that if Rohit was not the captain, he would not have got a place in the playing eleven. When Rohit also came, he was our guest. It was presented as if we were supporting him. But we were the ones who said that he does not deserve a place,” he added.
On Virat Kohli, the former India all-rounder said that he backed him during his initial slump. However, Pathan added the team should always be the first priority and a slump cannot last for 5 years.
“Virat Kohli had a slump in 2019-2020. I feel that when a big player faces his first slump, he should be backed. He deserves it too, because he won many matches for the team. But if this slump lasts for 5 years, then it is not right. In the end, the team is the most important,” Pathan opined.
It would be interesting to see if Irfan Pathan returns to Star Sports broadcast panel. The all-rounder featured during the India vs England series, with Sony being the main rights holder. Now with Kohli and Rohit retired, the Baroda express might find a way back in.
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