'Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance' - Sanjay Manjrekar reacts on his axing as commentator

Sanjay Manjrekar, ahead of the first ODI between India and South Africa, was seen in the Star Sports studio analysing the game and many were surprised. He was not in the commentary box which usually has been the case when it comes to India matches, IPL or any ICC events over the last few years. And soon it was confirmed that the BCCI has axed from its panel. Manjrekar has responded to the axing now and has cleared that he accepts it as a professional.

The 54-year-old has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons over the last few months even as the fans criticised his commentary a lot during this period. It all started when Manjrekar termed Ravindra Jadeja as a ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer during the World Cup last year. And the all-rounder not only responded to him with a tweet but with a scintillating show in the crunch semi-final against New Zealand.

To add fuel to the fire, Sanjay Manjrekar was involved in a verbal duel on air with the renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle during the day-night Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kolkata in November last year. The matter had escalated to such level that he had to come out and admit that he went a bit too far while discussing the pink ball issues with his colleague.

I accept it as a professional, says Sanjay Manjrekar

Even the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) official Twitter handle trolled him after it was confirmed that Sanjay Manjrekar was no more the part of the BCCI’s commentary panel. While there have been speculations over his presence in the IPL commentary panel for this season, the man himself has confirmed that the BCCI has axed him and reckons that the Indian board wasn’t happy with his performance in the recent past.

“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,” he tweeted.

Here’s the tweet:

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.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 15, 2020

Moreover, there have also been speculations that Sanjay Manjrekar was removed from the panel for tweeting about the controversies going around in the country over the last couple of months. With no more commentary stint in hand, we might see Sanjay Manjrekar in the pre and post-match shows like it was for the Dharamsala ODI recently.