IPL 2018 Playoff axe: India commentators raise a stink over BCCI's English' approach

Mumbai: While the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 has largely been a controversy-free affair, the organisers – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – are facing the heat for their approach towards the Indian commentator; especially during the playoffs.

It is learnt that the former Indian cricketers were not too pleased as BCCI opted to have just two Indian commentators – Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar – during the last four games – Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the final – in IPL 2018 while there were as many as five foreign cricketers – Michael Clarke, Graeme Smith, Simon Doull, Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden – who were a part of the commentary panel during playoffs.

While many Indian cricketers were a part of the regional broadcast of the IPL games, only two could make it to the English broadcast.

It is learnt that one of the BCCI officials, during a private gathering, claimed that the Indian commentators were not as good as their foreign counterparts and this did not go down well with some of the senior Indian players.

“The board all of sudden is finding that the Indian commentators aren’t good at speaking in English. Does BCCI have problem with the Indian accent?” The Times of India quoted a source as saying.

During the first ten IPL season, there were at least four Indian cricketers who were a part of the commentary panel for the playoffs.

“This is our Indian Premier League and the priority should be given to the Indians first. This has been the norm for last 10 years, why is it changing right now?” an ex-India captain, who did not wish to be named, said.