MUMBAI: It’s official now. The BCCI has removed former India batsman-turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar from its commentary panel.
“I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whether they choose to have me or not & I will always respect that. Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance of late. I accept that as a professional,” Manjrerkar tweeted on Sunday.
I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whethe… https://t.co/cahjBYoWcw
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 1584274567000
On Saturday, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly refused to comment on the development. Manjrekar, who has been a regular feature in the commentary box during India’s home matches for the past couple of years or so, will not be included in IPL 2020 too, which is now slated to begin from April 15, instead of March 29 because of the global outbreak of coronavirus.
He was not present in Dharamsala during the first ODI between India and South Africa, which was washed out without a ball being bowled on Thursday. Other BCCI panel commentators Sunil Gavaskar, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, and Murali Kartik were, however, present at the venue.
Though a popular commentator, the outspoken Manjrekar was involved in quite a few controversies last year. During the pink ball Test in Kolkata last year, he allegedly disrespected his co-commentator Harsha Bhogle by saying that he knew cricket because he’s played the sport, unlike Bhogle. He also made a sly tweet on Ganguly, insinuating that he doesn’t let other commentators speak. He then called Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja a “bits and pieces player.”
Jadeja did not take that comment kindly and hit back at Manjrekar by coming up with a sensational performance against New Zealand in the semi-final, scoring a valiant 77 that nearly took India over the line. During the course of his knock, he directed his celebration towards the media box after reaching his fifty.
Manjrekar has been a part of the commentary panel for the last three World Cups, as well as many ICC tournaments.
Source : timesofindia