Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, a familiar voice in cricket commentary, has surprisingly been left out of the IPL 2025 commentary panel. Having been a part of major cricket events for years, his exclusion has raised many eyebrows. Reports suggest that complaints from certain players about his commentary style, including alleged personal attacks, played a role in this decision.
According to My Khel, Pathan made several efforts to retain his position in the commentary team. He even reached out to the broadcaster through a close friend, hoping to secure his place. However, his attempts were unsuccessful as the broadcaster stood firm on their decision.
Sources indicate that Pathan's exclusion wasn’t merely a coincidence. He was accused of using commentary and social media to push a personal agenda against certain players. A source stated, "His name would have been considered, but for the last two years, he has been targeting specific players, which did not sit well with the system." His behavior reportedly upset the BCCI as well, contributing to his removal.
Pathan’s strained relationships with some players were evident through his commentary and social media remarks. While he never directly named anyone, his sharp criticism led to young players being dragged into unnecessary controversies. Matters escalated further during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his comments caused friction. One player was reportedly so frustrated that he blocked Pathan's number.
Despite losing a lucrative commentary gig, Irfan Pathan has found a new platform. He has launched a YouTube channel to share his cricket insights, which has already attracted over 1.5 lakh subscribers. While his future in mainstream commentary remains uncertain, he continues to engage with fans through digital media.
With IPL 2025 just around the corner, the absence of Irfan Pathan’s voice will surely be noticed. Whether he makes a comeback in the future remains to be seen.
