Irfan Pathan banned from IPL commentary over alleged bias

Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, is no longer a member of the IPL 2025 commentary panel owing to claims of bias toward certain players. Numerous players and officials have been watching Pathan’s off-the-air comments and social media engagements. Many of these remarks have been considered overly negative on specific individuals. 

This has been an issue since Pathan’s commentary during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy held in Australia, which, to many, had some of the more contentious opinions about some players. These issues then spilled over into formal complaints, which, in the end, got him dropped from the IPL broadcast team. 

🚨BREAKING NEWS ⚠️

IRFAN PATHAN BANNED FROM IPL COMMENTARY.

CURRENTLY HE IS NEGLECTED FROM IPL COMMENTARY CREW BECAUSE SOME OF THE PLAYERS AND STAR COMPLAINED ABOUT HIS PERSONAL BIASES NESS TOWARDS SOME CERTAIN PLAYERS. pic.twitter.com/0ZPNsCX7Cw

— SACHIN (@LeoChennaiIPL) March 26, 2025

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Pathan has sought to diverge from the main commentary platforms, and in this regard, on March 22, he opened a YouTube channel called “सीधी बात विद इरफान पठान,” where he intends to analyze various sports. His actions indicate determination to still reach out to cricket enthusiasts even after being sidelined from the mainstream media.

There is increasing concern over sports commentators and the need to be impartial, and this shows precisely how Pathan is still ‘remembered’ within the cricketing arena. Gone are the days when they weren’t bound by the rules and logic.

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Pathan not being able to commentate on certain games showcases the need for zero bias treatment within sports commentary, drawing a line between personal opinions and professional commentary.