When commentating on the game with the entire world listening, the commentators always have a lot of duty to know what to say and what not to say. They can also go all out in congratulating a player or team for their performance, but they are not afraid to criticise when necessary. The following five additional contentious comments made by cricket pundits drew harsh criticism from the fans:
1. Sanjay Manjrekar
During the 2019 ODI World Cup, Indian commentator Sanjay Manjrekar faced harsh criticism for calling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja a "bits and pieces cricketer." The remark suggested that Ravindra Jadeja was inconsistent as a bowler or batter.
Manjrekar has previously stated, "I am not a big fan of bits and pieces players, which Jadeja is at this point in his career in 50-over cricket." On social media, it provoked outrage. "Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I’m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved. I have heard enough of your verbal diarrhea,” Ravindra Jadeja retorted.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar criticised Indian star batter Rishabh Pant during the fourth Test at the MCG, after the latter got out by playing an unorthodox shot in the game in the BGT. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," Sunil Gavaskar had reacted. "You've got two fielders there, and you still go for that, you've missed the previous shot. And look where you've been caught. You've been caught at deep third man. That is throwing away your wicket. You have to understand the situation as well, you cannot say that that's your natural game. I'm sorry, that is not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. That is letting your team down badly!"
3. Dean Jones
Dean Jones, a former cricket player who is now a broadcaster, was renowned for his recklessness and frantic dashing between the wickets. But it was during the commentary that he took too many chances, and it did not turn out well.
When Hashim Amla made the catch to remove an agitated Kumar Sangakkara on the fourth day of play between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo, Dean Jones said, "The terrorist has got another wicket." The Australian's offensive remark sparked a media frenzy of scathing criticism. Ten Sports fired Jones right away, and he later apologised in a statement for his offensive remark.
4. Isa Guha
Isa Guha used a phrase that Indian fans did not like when she commented on Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the third BGT 2024–25 Test match between Australia and India. This was one of the most recent incidents where the commentator got involved in a frenzy. She complimented Bumrah on Fox Cricket by calling him 'primate.' "Well, he’s the MVP isn’t he? Most Valuable Primate, Jasprit Bumrah," she said.
Isa Guha had to later come and apologise after receiving harsh criticism for her word choice, as many fans across the globe did not like the way it was presented.
5. Nasser Hussain
Some Indian cricket players have been referred to as "donkeys" by former England captain Nasser Hussain, a highly famous commentator these days, because of their lethargic movement around the ground as they age. Nasser Hussain, a former England captain and broadcaster, made a contentious remark regarding a few Indian cricket players during the 2011 One-Off Twenty20 International between England and India.
For a period, Hussain lost a lot of support from Indian cricket fans, even though the England Cricket Board (ECB) did nothing about his remark.
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5 Instances when commentators made controversial on-air comments
From Manjrekar’s ‘bits and pieces’ remark to Isa Guha’s ‘primate’ comment, here are 5 controversial on-air moments that drew backlash from cricket fans.
When commentating on the game with the entire world listening, the commentators always have a lot of duty to know what to say and what not to say. They can also go all out in congratulating a player or team for their performance, but they are not afraid to criticise when necessary. The following five additional contentious comments made by cricket pundits drew harsh criticism from the fans:
1. Sanjay Manjrekar
During the 2019 ODI World Cup, Indian commentator Sanjay Manjrekar faced harsh criticism for calling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja a "bits and pieces cricketer." The remark suggested that Ravindra Jadeja was inconsistent as a bowler or batter.
Manjrekar has previously stated, "I am not a big fan of bits and pieces players, which Jadeja is at this point in his career in 50-over cricket." On social media, it provoked outrage. "Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I’m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved. I have heard enough of your verbal diarrhea,” Ravindra Jadeja retorted.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar criticised Indian star batter Rishabh Pant during the fourth Test at the MCG, after the latter got out by playing an unorthodox shot in the game in the BGT. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," Sunil Gavaskar had reacted. "You've got two fielders there, and you still go for that, you've missed the previous shot. And look where you've been caught. You've been caught at deep third man. That is throwing away your wicket. You have to understand the situation as well, you cannot say that that's your natural game. I'm sorry, that is not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. That is letting your team down badly!"
3. Dean Jones
Dean Jones, a former cricket player who is now a broadcaster, was renowned for his recklessness and frantic dashing between the wickets. But it was during the commentary that he took too many chances, and it did not turn out well.
When Hashim Amla made the catch to remove an agitated Kumar Sangakkara on the fourth day of play between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo, Dean Jones said, "The terrorist has got another wicket." The Australian's offensive remark sparked a media frenzy of scathing criticism. Ten Sports fired Jones right away, and he later apologised in a statement for his offensive remark.
4. Isa Guha
Isa Guha used a phrase that Indian fans did not like when she commented on Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah during the third BGT 2024–25 Test match between Australia and India. This was one of the most recent incidents where the commentator got involved in a frenzy. She complimented Bumrah on Fox Cricket by calling him 'primate.' "Well, he’s the MVP isn’t he? Most Valuable Primate, Jasprit Bumrah," she said.
Isa Guha had to later come and apologise after receiving harsh criticism for her word choice, as many fans across the globe did not like the way it was presented.
5. Nasser Hussain
Some Indian cricket players have been referred to as "donkeys" by former England captain Nasser Hussain, a highly famous commentator these days, because of their lethargic movement around the ground as they age. Nasser Hussain, a former England captain and broadcaster, made a contentious remark regarding a few Indian cricket players during the 2011 One-Off Twenty20 International between England and India.
For a period, Hussain lost a lot of support from Indian cricket fans, even though the England Cricket Board (ECB) did nothing about his remark.
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