BCCI terminates IPL contract with Harsha Bhogle

Recent reports have confirmed that veteran Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle has had his commentary contract with the IPL. Bhogle has been the voice of Indian cricket for the past two decades and it certainly comes as a surprise to have an IPL tournament without the 54-year old taking his place in the commentary box. Earlier, the BCCI was said to have considered terminating the contract of Sunil Gavaskar stating financial reasons for the same.

Further reports suggest that Bhogle was informed about the termination of the contract barely a week before the actual reporting of the news. However, an undisclosed yet high-ranking BCCI official said that the decision on commentators was taken following feedback from social media and other commentators as well.

“When deciding the commentators, we take feedback from everyone. We monitor social media reactions on commentators, and also take inputs from players,” a senior BCCI official told The Sunday Express.

As far as Harsha Bhogle was concerned, the decision for his axing from the commentary team in till unclear. However, he attributes it to an incident that occurred in the first match of the World T20 between India and New Zealand. The incident is said to have occurred off the air, where Bhogle was alleged to have a heated argument with an official from the Vidharba Cricket Association.

“No one told me anything. I have not been formally told of the reason even now. All I have been told is ‘it is a BCCI management decision’,” Bhogle said.

“Working on a tight deadline, because of running around, I was at times panting as I went on air. This was because of that shut door. Even if it was the Nagpur incident, no one heard my part of the story,” said Bhogle.

Nevertheless, Bhogle was clear on the fact that the IPL was one of his favorite tournaments and it was indeed disappointing to be missing out on the marquee Indian tournament. He took to twitter to state the same. Some commentators have also spoken about how Indian players did not like it when they were criticized.