In what can only be termed as an notorious and an highly illogical move by BCCI, The most famous voice of Indian cricket – Harsha Bhogle – will not feature in the list of commentators for the ongoing ninth editon of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 54-year-old, who has been with IPL since its inception, was, according to a newspaper report, informed about the termination of his IPL contract just a week back.
The decision has come as a surprise as Bhogle conducted the Season 9 draft auction and has featured in the league’s promotional videos. He even had his flight booked by the production house. Bhogle tweeted his disappointment over twitter.
Would have been nice to be part of @IPL again. Was in fact looking forward to it. Favourite tournament. Hope #IPL9 is a blockbuster.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2016
While Sony Network is the official broadcast partner for the IPL, it is in fact the BCCI that decides on all matters related to the tournament’s production.
“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 Indian Express.
Other BCCI board members hinted at an incident which occurred during India’s opening ICC World Twenty20 game at Nagpur last month, where Bhogle is reported to have had a heated exchange with a Vidharbha Cricket Association official. They felt this could be the reason for his last-minute ouster.
Bhogle told the English daily that he has yet to know the official reason for the BCCI’s decision.
“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’,” he said.
BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur and IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla refused to comment on the development. But Twiterattis had so much to say..
That illogical moment when Sidhu is still there and Harsha Bhogle's contract has been terminated 😐#HarshaBhogle pic.twitter.com/iyDP0ahPLK
— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) April 10, 2016
Sacked Harsha Bhogle & Brought Siddhu?
Dear BCCI,
It's Cricket, Not Comedy Nights. #BringBackHarsha #IPL
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 10, 2016
No @bhogleharsha Sudhu us back. Am changing my view on #IPL16 Court shd ban it fully for wasting water & for insulting India's intelligence
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) April 9, 2016
Harsha Bhogle is the best commentator India has ever had. Sacking him to assuage some social media jingoistic fools is a moronic act
— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) April 10, 2016
Here’s wishing that IPL misses him for good…
