IPL 2020: MCA unhappy with Sanjay Manjrekar's omission from commentary panel

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is unhappy with Sanjay Mankrekar’s omission from the commentary panel for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Last week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the names of seven Indian commentators who will be a part of the commentary panel for this season but the absence of Manjrekar had raised a lot of eyebrows in the cricket fraternity.

Showing their displeasure with the treatment meted out to Sanjay, MCA Apex Council member Nadeem Memon stated that he has written a letter to BCCI’s president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah regarding the reinstatement of the commentator. Showering praises on Manjrekar, Memon said that the former Indian cricketer is very good at his work and it is a treat for the fans to hear the duo of Sanjay and Sunil Gavaskar.

“I have written to Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah. I will bring up this issue at the MCA Apex Council meeting and tell them to take up this matter with the BCCI. Manjrekar is such a genuine person, he is one of the best commentators.

“When he and Sunil Gavaskar come on commentary I don’t move away from the television set when they are on air because they speak so well, they have so much in-depth knowledge of the game. They make watching cricket so interesting with their lively comments,” Memon said as quoted by Rediff.com

It was humiliating for such a big cricketer like Sanjay Manjrekar, says Memon

Memon revealed that the entire Mumbai cricket community including some of the former legendary players are silently supporting the middle-order batsman and don’t find it right to sack a commentator who has been part of the panel since the inaugural edition of the IPL.

“All the clubs from Mumbai are firmly behind Manjrekar, even some of the great Mumbai players of the past are supporting him, even though they might have not speak publicly on this. They are all surprised as to how Manjrekar has been sacked,” MCA’s member said.

The former right-handed batsman, who has represented India in 37 Tests and 74 ODIs, had a fall out with BCCI after being involved in a verbal battle with Ravindra Jadeja as he called him a ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer on social media before India’s exit from the World Cup last year. Also, his verbal battle with the on-air commentator Harsha Bhogle during the Pink Test against Bangladesh last year was criticised.

In the month of August, Manjrekar had written an email to the BCCI and had offered his apologies. He had also requested the authorities to reinstate him as the commentator for the 2020 edition of the cash-rich league. However, the letter was leaked, which didn’t go well with Memon as he believes that it was humiliating for a cricketer of such big stature.

“He has clarified all the issues that had cropped up in his letter, like with Ravindra Jadeja, so I don’t know where the problem lies and why he has been sacked. But that letter was leaked, which was sort of humiliating for such a big cricketer like Manjrekar. His father Vijay Manjrekar was also a big player for the country.” Menon asserted.

Nadeem Memon’s letter to the BCCI:

The president/secretary

BCCI

Sir,

We, the members of MCA Clubs, request you to appoint Mr Sanjay Manjrekar as BCCI TV commentator for India. He is one of the most well known and loved cricketers and commentators in the world.

He should be appointed as BCCI commentator for the upcoming IPL season as well in Dubai.

We personally feel that the decision to remove him as a commentator is unjust and should be looked into and rectified.

Thanks

MEMBERS

MCA clubs Mumbai.