Amitabh Bachchan indirectly criticises Harsha Bhogle & Co.; Twitterati come to the rescue

India won the first of the three-match T20I series against South Africa handsomely by 28 runs at the Wanderers on Sunday. They outplayed the home side in all the three departments and reigned supreme much like they did throughout the ODI rubber. The legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was delighted after Indian team’s victory but took an indirect dig on Harsha Bhogle on his commentary. However, Twitterverse wasn’t amused with his tweet and came out in support of the famous cricket analyst who is often tipped as ‘Voice of Cricket’.

This is not the first time Amitabh has criticised the commentators. During the World T20 in 2016 which held in India, he had tweeted about an ‘Indian commentator’ being biased during the game between the hosts and Bangladesh. The match had went down to the wire and India had managed to sne a victory by just a single run.

Soon after the marquee event, Harsha Bhogle was ousted from the commentary panel of BCCI as even some of the Indian players also voiced the same concern. However, he had cleared later in his statement that he never wanted to hurt anyone’s sentiments and was just doing his job.

Following this tweet Bhogle was sacked:

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

Bachchan’s indirect dig on Bhogle

Once again, after a couple of years, the same controversy has resurfaced with Amitabh Bachchan pointing out the bias commentary during the first T20I between India and South Africa. Though this time he has wittily told them to continue doing the same as the Men in Blue always come out on top. His tweet read, “INDIA wins first T20 against SoAf .. brilliant play .. loved the aggression .. and loved the bias commentating .. keep doing that please ..coz’ every time you do that we WIN handsomely !”

The fans of Harsha Bhogle were aware of the events happened in the aftermath of his tweet in 2016 and qucikly came out in his support. While some of them suggested the legendary actor to work on his knowledge about the game, few lashed out at him saying that the commentators are doing their job and let them do the same.

Here’s Bachchan’s tweet:

T 2619 – INDIA wins first T20 against SoAf .. brilliant play .. loved the aggression .. and loved the bias commentating .. keep doing that please ..coz' every time you do that we WIN handsomely ! pic.twitter.com/q3cES8Q772

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 18, 2018

Here’s how Twitterverse defended Harsha:

If your indication is towards @bhogleharsha then you need to work on your knowledge of the game.

— burhan (@burhanqutub) February 18, 2018

Uncle Since ur a senior, u think u always have right to say anything about anyone. As usual You continue to spit venom about @bhogleharsha but he will remain one of the bestest commentator after Tony Greig.

— Younus Mohammad (@Younus4frndz) February 18, 2018

We should enjoy the game. I don't know what's your problem with commentators. They have to be neutral, god knows why you keep calling them biased. Does any commentator criticise your acting? Why you keep intervening in their profession?@sanjaymanjrekar @bhogleharsha @amolsurwase

— Gajanan Gosavi (@imgajanang) February 18, 2018

I watch a match will full volume coz there is a man called Harsha Bhogle on the mic!
One of the world's finest commentator ever!
Love u @bhogleharsha !

— Varad Patil (@varadprm) February 18, 2018

It's there job to commentate . Don't interface and know your limits .They don't interfere in your movie buisness . Why you poke your nose in there's job. Stick to movies , leave the cricket commentry to the experts .They are doing way better job then you did in your entire career

— ALEX WRIGHT (@ideep22) February 18, 2018

As a commentator, one's job is to explain the game to the viewer from both sides perspective. So, if a team is doing something good on the field, even though it might be the opponent, you've to say it as such. I don't call it a bias. ?

— Moinak Das (@iMD_84) February 19, 2018

Sir why are you after commentators. Let them do their job, every team feels they are biased, now how is that possible if you ? fans are never happy. @bhogleharsha

— Mahi (@myadav15) February 18, 2018

If u r talking about @bhogleharsha than u know ntng about cricket they have to be neutral n he harsha sir is one of the best commentators india have got

— Sau'rabh Rahane (@junior_chavan) February 18, 2018

Uncle… konsa channel dekh rhe ho. @bhogleharsha and his team have been perfectly neutral (More India inclined if anything) during this tour

— Mayank (@fab_mayank) February 18, 2018