Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has finally spoken up regarding his exit from the IPL 2025 broadcast panel. Pathan suggested in an interview with The Lallantop that his dismissal from the commentary panel may have resulted from his criticism of India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, most likely during the latter's debut as captain of the Mumbai Indians.
Pathan quickly emphasized that his criticism is based on professionalism rather than prejudice. “If I'm criticising you in 7 matches out of 14, I'm still being lenient. That is our job as broadcasters,” Pathan replied when questioned about the player alleged to have influenced his IPL exit.
According to the former all-rounder constructive criticism is a fundamental aspect of the job, who denied any indication of personal animosity.
Pathan emphasised how he had previously backed Baroda players, including Hardik. “There is no rivalry. All the Baroda players who have come after me, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya or Hardik Pandya, none of them can say that Irfan-Yusuf did not help them,” he said. It also meant putting in a good word for the players and helping to arrange sponsorships, he noted.
The former all-rounder recounted a pivotal event from more than ten years ago when he tried to make things happen for a young Hardik Pandya. Pathan suggested Sunrisers Hyderabad to sign the young all-round player back in 2012, but the chance was lost. “VVS Laxman admitted on Star Sports, that he was at fault for not listening to me, and not picking Hardik in 2012. If he had picked him then, Hardik would have played for Hyderabad,” Pathan revealed.
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Pathan also cited instances in which he openly supported Hardik. He specifically emphasized his support for the all-rounder during the 2024 Mumbai Indians fan outburst, which followed Rohit Sharma's dismissal as captain and Pandya's unpleasant treatment. Pathan claims that his criticism is always aimed at cricket, not the player.
“There is nothing wrong in criticising the player, if you play, you have to go through that. It happened with Sunil Gavaskar, the great Sachin Tendulkar… they never made anyone feel, they were bigger than the game. But I'm against the derogatory words used against Pandya,” Pathan clarified.
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