Reports: Sanjay Manjrekar to return as commentator for India’s tour of Australia

Sanjay Manjrekar is reportedly set to make a comeback as a commentator for India’s tour of Australia later this month. The former India batsman was removed from the commentary panel by the BCCI earlier this year in March before the start of the ODI series at home against South Africa. Later, the series was postponed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Manjrekar is not a part of the commentary panel for the ongoing IPL 2020 either. According to reports, he had written a couple of letters to the BCCI, seeking his reinstatement in the panel but the Indian cricket board did not change its decision. He had also offered a public apology if he had “unwittingly offended anyone”.

But after those twin setbacks, the outspoken former cricketer-turned-commentator is set to return to the commentary box, according to Mumbai Mirror. According to the report, Manjrekar has been roped in by Sony Pictures Network, the broadcasters of India’s matches in Australia, to be a part of the commentary team.

For English commentary, Sunil Gavaskar, Harsha Bhogle, Michael Clarke, Glenn McGrath and Andrew Symonds are likely to be part of the panel. India are scheduled to play three ODIs, three T20Is and four Test matches in Australia, starting from November 27 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Following the ODIs, the T20Is will take place before the much-awaited Test series starts on December 17.

The possible reason behind the sacking

Sanjay Manjrekar was sacked by the BCCI after two controversies. The major controversy took place in last year’s World Cup when he sensationally called India star Ravindra Jadeja a ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer. The comment had caused a social media storm as the former cricketer faced criticism from all around.

Just a few months after that, he was involved in a public spat with fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle during India’s maiden Day-Night Test match against Bangladesh last November. Manjrekar had taken a dig at Bhogle for not being an international cricketer. Manjrekar, on the other hand, has played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs, scoring 2043 and 1994 runs respectively.