Sanjay Manjrekar dropped from BCCI commentary panel?

Former India batsman and star commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was not part of the now-cancelled India-South Africa ODI series after he sought a break anticipating a hectic schedule in the upcoming IPL season. "Sanjay had taken a break from the India-South Africa series given the hectic IPL schedule on the way," a BCCI source told THE WEEK. 

It is to be noted that all commentary contracts with the BCCI are awarded on a series-to-series basis. On Saturday, various media reports had cited that Manjrekar was excluded from the commentary panel as the BCCI was "not happy with his work". The reports also claimed that he might even be dropped from the commentary panel of IPL 2020, if it starts after April 15. 

One of the most recognisable voices in the Indian commentary box, Manjrekar was missing in action in Dharamsala during the first ODI match between India and South Africa. At the same time, other BCCI panel commentators, including Sunil Gavaskar, L. Sivaramakrishnan, and Murali Kartik were present during the match, which was eventually washed out. 

Manjrekar has had his share of controversies in the recent past. After India's loss to England in the group stage of last year's ICC Cricket World Cup, Manjrekar's "bits-and-pieces player" jibe on all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had created an uproar. The 53-year-old former player also irked cricket fans for his series of tweets criticising Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mohammed Shami and K.L. Rahul during the world cup. 

More recently, Manjrekar was at the receiving end for criticising co-commentator Harsha Bhogle on-air. However, he later expressed regret over the Bhogle episode. "This has been the worst year for me as an analyst and as a commentator. One thing I pride myself on is professionalism and with that particular comment (on Bhogle), it was me losing control and I was unprofessional, I was wrong and it is something that I regret,” Manjrekar told in an interview. “It was wrong of me and it is what really bothers me I let my emotions get the better of me. Mostly being unprofessional and to an extent indecent as well."

With matches being cancelled or deferred due to the coronavirus outbreak, it remains to be seen whether Manjrekar will be back behind the mike if and when IPL takes place. As of Saturday, the BCCI, which has suspended this year's IPL till April 15, is deliberating on conducting a curtailed premier league this year. 

(With inputs from Neeru Bhatia)