Former India batsman and star commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has been apparently dropped from BCCI's commentary panel. According to a BCCI source, Manjrekar's name has been taken off the TV roster of the BCCI. However, there are conflicting statements emerging as to why one of the most famous cricket commentary voices in India was excluded from the panel of the now-cancelled India-South Africa ODI series.
Manjrekar was missing in action in Dharamsala during the first ODI match between India and South Africa. At the same time, other BCCI panel commentators, including Sunil Gavaskar, L. Sivaramakrishnan, and Murali Kartik were present during the match, which was eventually washed out.
On Saturday, a Mumbai Mirror report, citing a BCCI source, said Manjrekar was excluded from the commentary panel as the cricketing board was "not happy with his work". The report also claimed that he might even be dropped from the commentary panel of IPL 2020, if it starts after April 15.
At the same time, a BCCI source said Manjrekar "might" have taken a break from commentary ahead of the hectic IPL season. However, it was not clear if he was forced to "take the break".
It is to be noted that all commentary contracts with the BCCI are awarded on a series-to-series basis.
Manjrekar has had his share of controversies in the recent past. After India's loss to England in the group stage of last year's ICC Cricket World Cup, Manjrekar's "bits-and-pieces player" jibe on all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had created an uproar. The 53-year-old former player also irked cricket fans for his series of tweets criticising Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mohammed Shami and K.L. Rahul during the world cup.
More recently, Manjrekar was at the receiving end for criticising co-commentator Harsha Bhogle on-air. However, he later expressed regret over the Bhogle episode. "This has been the worst year for me as an analyst and as a commentator. One thing I pride myself on is professionalism and with that particular comment (on Bhogle), it was me losing control and I was unprofessional, I was wrong and it is something that I regret,” Manjrekar told in an interview. “It was wrong of me and it is what really bothers me I let my emotions get the better of me. Mostly being unprofessional and to an extent indecent as well."
With matches being cancelled or deferred due to the coronavirus outbreak, it remains to be seen whether Manjrekar will be back behind the mike if and when IPL takes place. As of Saturday, the BCCI, which has suspended this year's IPL till April 15, is deliberating on conducting a curtailed premier league this year.
