BCCI under criticism for having only two Indian commentators in IPL Playoffs

The 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League was a big hit. The tournament lived up to all the expectations and the hype that it had created. Now that the tournament is done and dusted, one would imagine that things will be on a smooth note for the organizers. However, things do not seem to be on a very pleasant note for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI is facing some serious criticism for one of their moves towards the fag end of the IPL 2018 season. In the playoffs of the tournament, only two Indian commentators were seen in the commentary box for the English commentary. The two Indian commentators selected by the BCCI for the playoffs were Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar.

They were accompanied by a host of other overseas commentators like Michael Slater, Michael Clarke, and Simon Doull. Now, the recent reports in the Times of India suggest that some people are not happy with this move of the Indian cricket board. One of the former Indian captains, who wished not to be named in the episode, remarked that the board should know that the tournament is native to India.

Hence, they should not be ashamed of the Indian accent. Furthermore, many requests citing explanations for the same have already received the board. “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?” a former captain remarked.

“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?” a source asked.

Regional commentary

Much to the defense of the BCCI, the board tried to expand the reach of the tournament by having commentary for IPL 2018 in as many as 6 languages. The board called former players and experts to commentate in their regional languages this season. On a different note, the problems galore for the board in other areas as well with respect to the IPL.

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