Irfan Pathan dropped from IPL 2025 commentary panel over allegations of bias

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been left out of the IPL 2025 commentary panel, with reports suggesting that the decision stems from allegations of bias and personal attacks on players. Pathan, who has been a regular voice in both English and Hindi commentary, was notably absent from this season’s lineup, sparking speculation about his exclusion.

According to a Times of India report, broadcasters were unhappy with Pathan’s social media activity, claiming he had been making pointed remarks at specific players, allegedly due to past personal disagreements. While he did not name these players directly, his comments reportedly led to controversy, with even younger players getting dragged into the issue. The report further states that Pathan had a fallout with certain players a few years ago, and since then, his criticism of them has remained a recurring theme in his commentary.

Sources close to the development revealed, “Pathan had a fallout with a couple of players a few years ago. Since then, he has not shied away from referring to them aggressively. The matter was raised that other junior players got caught in the crossfire. He has been accused of taking potshots at them on social media platforms even if he didn't name them.”

Pathan has yet to make a public statement about the snub. However, he has launched his own YouTube channel, a move that many believe will allow him to express his cricketing insights independently. While Pathan continues to be an influential voice in cricket analysis, his exclusion from the IPL 2025 broadcast team marks a significant development in his post-retirement career.

This is not the first time a high-profile commentator has been dropped due to controversy. In 2020, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was removed from the BCCI commentary panel for his infamous "bits and pieces" remark about Ravindra Jadeja during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Following his removal, Manjrekar had accepted the decision, stating that commentary was a privilege, not an entitlement.

Pathan's absence from the IPL 2025 broadcast team underscores the evolving standards in sports commentary, where social media activity and personal opinions now play a crucial role in professional selections. Whether he will return in future seasons remains to be seen, but for now, IPL fans will have to tune in without his analysis.