Harsha Bhogle's commentary exile continues [returns back to commentary box]

[Nova]

Harsha Bhogle's exile from commentary is set to continue. New series, new channel, new production house and new BCCI management not withstanding, there are no chances of his immediate return to the telly for the live India games.

It has been learnt that he has been kept out of the commentary panel for the ensuing India international matches both at home and the US as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken note of the complaints of the Indian players, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in particular.

It has recently come to light that the India Test skipper was peeved with some of his past comments and it was conveyed to the BCCI management under Anurag Thakur.

So unhappy was Kohli with Harsha that he once refused to be interviewed by him for a television programme and when he was persuaded to attend the show, he had made it clear that he would not answer questions by Harsha. He spoke only to Sourav Ganguly.

As much his commentary, his sharp twitter posts have also not exactly helped his cause. Those in the know says his social media comments during last year's India-South Africa series have not yet been forgotten. The players' inputs were considered before finalising on the commentators for these series.

So Harsha will not be doing commentary for the two immediate Twenty20 games between India and West Indies in the US (August 27 and 28). Nor will he be part of the commentary panel for the home series (three Tests, five ODIs) against New Zealand. The two series will be shown on Star, with whom he has had long standing contract. The IPL was produced by IMG and broadcast by Sony.

Even as Harsha has been left in the cold, Ravi Shastri makes a comeback with the mic. The former Team India director will be one of the commentators for both America and New Zealand games which will be produced by the BCCI production house.

It is learnt that the BCCI has contracted Sunil Gavaskar, Sanjay Manjrekar, L Sivaramakrishnan and Simon Doull besides Shastri for the New Zealand series. Stephen Fleming also will be part of the panel.

As for the US games, Gavaskar, Shastri and Manjrekar apart, two West Indian experts, Jeff Dujon and Ian Bishop, will be doing the commentary. Harsha has also been kept out for the day-night pink ball Duleep Trophy games that start in Greater Noida on August 23. BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said it was not board's appointments and Harsha did not respond to calls from this paper.

 

Source

[kruiser]

Grade School Bullying!! 

[Bigg Brother]

What did he comment during SA series??I think he never criticized anyone and his twitter posts are good.

[Nova]

Keeping a decent commentator out due to players' influence is weird. What did exactly Harsha say about Kohli? I don't think there was any unfair criticism.

In fact, couple months ago Bhogle showered praise towards Kohli saying he saw grace, class and perfection in him.

 

 

[fineleg]

Harsha Bhogle was the first to stir up (in public) the Ganguly Chappell controversy. (After Zimbabwe match, he interviewed Ganguly in the fields of the stadium)

Anyone has the video of that interview???

 

 

Edited August 18, 2016 by fineleg

[sandeep]

Its not just Kohli.  All Indian players seem to hold grudges against media.  Now to be fair, desi media coverage of cricket players crosses the boundaries quite often - indulging in masala gossip mongering about player relations, personal life, match ka mujrim - all flavors of BS.  

 

But Harsha is not one of those, and to "punish" a commentator for having an independent opinion that doesn't sit well with the players is really a horrible step in the wrong direction.  

[Bigg Brother]

Harsha bhogle is the most unbiased commentator.Don't know why many say they turn off the volume when he comes.He is more bearable than every single Indian commentator.

[chewy]

Pampered cricketers.

[Tibarn]

Ban Manjrekar instead. 

[Vilander]

Sashtri.. i have to say is **PG** in the commentary box, needs to retire.

[Vilander]

some who can get worse than Sashtri is Manju , both need to retire.

[sandeep]

1 hour ago, Vilander said:

some who can get worse than Sashtri is Manju , both need to retire.

But he's too smart and always knows to stay away from trouble.  Boring useless negative-minded bakwaas commentator he is.  

[G_B_]

worrying if you are an Indian commentator. Cant be too critical ...sets a dangerous precedent.

 

But i feel Harsha has had his time. He has had a very long run and IMO needed to make way for somebody else. Even commentary teams need to be refreshed once in a while. 

[gattaca]

2 hours ago, G_B_ said:

worrying if you are an Indian commentator. Cant be too critical ...sets a dangerous precedent.

 

But i feel Harsha has had his time. He has had a very long run and IMO needed to make way for somebody else. Even commentary teams need to be refreshed once in a while. 

Blames goes to BCCI as well for letting this happen. David warner was asked to publicly apologize to sports journalist when had a go at him.

[Vilander]

14 minutes ago, gattaca said:

Blames goes to BCCI as well for letting this happen. David warner was asked to publicly apologize to sports journalist when had a go at him.

yup but Dhoni and Kohli did not have a go at Harsha. Harsha i guess is an easy target, non cricketing so they must have played the us vs them card and BCCI went along just make an example. Juvinile. But Harsha had his time, not as bad as Sashtri or Manju

[nevada]

No big deal. He has enjoyed a career longer than Tendulkar's and it is time to give chance to others.

[gattaca]

14 minutes ago, nevada said:

No big deal. He has enjoyed a career longer than Tendulkar's and it is time to give chance to others.

 

 

47 minutes ago, Vilander said:

yup but Dhoni and Kohli did not have a go at Harsha. Harsha i guess is an easy target, non cricketing so they must have played the us vs them card and BCCI went along just make an example. Juvinile. But Harsha had his time, not as bad as Sashtri or Manju

The question is not whether he had a long career. The question is some one bullying him out because of critical options. 

[MechEng]

11 hours ago, Tibarn said:

Ban Manjrekar instead. 

He gets support from Dhoni for his medium pacer fetish.

[rkt.india]

6 hours ago, gattaca said:

 

 

The question is not whether he had a long career. The question is some one bullying him out because of critical options. 

It's not bullying. BCCI is the employer. They have the rights hire or not hire him.

[Tibarn]

24 minutes ago, MechEng said:

He gets support from Dhoni for his medium pacer fetish.

Ha, remember when he was arguing with Dada and Wasim that India should forget about fast bowlers and stick to swing bowling. Dada looked like he wanted to slap this fool. He has such a defeatist mentality and inferiority complex, I'm not sure how anyone care bear him. He even attacks the stat guys calling them "nerds."  

 

What's worse is when he and Jadeja front-run and kick teams when they're down. I am surprised King Viv hasn't punched him and Jadeja both in the face so far.