IPL 2016 loses another familiar name: Harsha Bhogle's contract terminated without explanation from BCCI

Apart from loved teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, suspended as a result of spot-fixing and betting scandals, the new season of the Indian Premier League will also not feature the voice of Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle. According to a report in the Indian Express, Bhogle’s contract for the IPL has been terminated and the commentator, who has been involved with the IPL since its inception, was told about his exclusion only a week ago and wasn’t even provided with an explanation. “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’,” the report quoted Bhogle as saying. In fact Bhogle was looking forward to taking part in his “favourite tournament”.

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

Harsha Bhogle was part of the commentary team during the recently concluded ICC World T20. It is speculated that incidents in the same tournament lead to his ouster from the IPL. Following India’s match against Bangladesh, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan had accused certain commentators focusing more on overseas players than on the Indian players.

T 2184 - With all due respects, it would be really worthy of an Indian commentator to speak more about our players than others all the time.

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 23, 2016

More from First Cricket News

Ahead of India-Pakistan clash, Asia Cup organisers reportedly forced to take drastic measure over slow ticket sales Hong Kong suffer second straight loss as Bangladesh begin Asia Cup campaign with seven-wicket win

Bachchan’s sentiments were cryptically echoed by none other than the Indian limited overs captain MS Dhoni himself.

Nothing to add https://t.co/8rBel3vw4o

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) March 23, 2016

Following speculations that it was Bhogle being referred in the Bollywood star’s tweet, the commentator had issued a clarification on Facebook in his defence, saying that English commentators needed to stay objective as the feed went out to different countries and it would be unfair to fans of other nations if only India was praised during the course of a game. However, Express also mentioned an “angry exchange” between Bhogle and a Nagpur-based cricket official following a game at the VCA stadium in Nagpur during the World T20, where Bhogle had apparently expressed displeasure over him having to run down and climb stairs repeatedly to switch between English and Hindi commentary boxes, instead of being provided VIP room access from where he could directly reach the Hindi commentary box. Bhogle’s sudden termination from the IPL is even more surprising considering he had even conducted the IPL 9 draft auction. Although, Sony has rights for broadcast for the IPL, but the Board of Control in Cricket in India (BCCI) has say over the production and hence the commentary roster, the report in Indian Express added. Bhogle even clarified to his followers on Twitter that his termination had nothing to do with a “rival channel” and “star sports”.

@kartikthapar01 @IPL nothing to do with that

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2016

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

@jayadevnair1 nothing to do with star sports

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2016

The BCCI has refused to comment on the matter, however, it would not be the first time a commentator was set aside by the governing body for cricket in India, which sets strict rules for commentating. Earlier, Sanjay Manjerekar and Arun Lal, familiar Indian commentators, too have been meted out the same treatment. The new season of the IPL will miss quite a few familiar names for it’s ninth edition.