Bhogle was taken by surprise himself at the board’s decision as he had been featured in the promotional videos of the latest season.
Bhogle was taken by surprise himself at the board’s decision as he had been featured in the promotional videos of the latest season.
Mumbai
: Harsha Bhogle’s voice is synonymous with cricket in India but those following Indian Premier League will no longer get to hear his trademark commentary, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to relieve him from his duties from the tournament’s ninth edition.
According to report in 'The Indian Express', the 54-year-old, who has been cricket’s voice since the 1980s and has been bringing fans all the live action of IPL since its inception in 2008, was informed about the termination of his contract only last week by the BCCI.
Bhogle was taken by surprise himself at the board’s decision as he had been featured in the promotional videos of the latest season and even had his flight tickets booked for his commentary schedule.
Expressing disappointment at being shown the door, he tweeted:
Would have been nice to be part of @IPL again. Was in fact looking forward to it. Favourite tournament. Hope #IPL9 is a blockbuster.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2016
.@hemantbuch All well, thanks. Don't know why. Had a roster too. @IPL
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 9, 2016
According to the report, Bhogle’s ouster was decided after taking feedback from players and social media.
“When deciding the commentators, we take feedback from everyone. We monitor social media reactions on commentators, and also take inputs from players,” a senior BCCI official was quoted in the report on condition of anonymity.
While there is no clarity on the issue, it is learnt that a heated exchange with a Vidarbha Cricket Association official during the India-New Zealand match in ICC World Twenty20 may have led to Bhogle's ouster from the commentary team for IPL.
