Team India registered another dominating win in the first of the three-match T20I series against South Africa by 28 runs at the Wanderers on Sunday. They outplayed the hosts in all the three departments and dominated the game much like they did throughout the ODI series. The legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was pleased after India’s victory but took an indirect dig on Harsha Bhogle on his commentary.
However, Twitterati 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 was hosted by India, he had tweeted about an ‘Indian commentator’ being biased during the game between the hosts and Bangladesh. The match had gone down to the wire and India had managed to see a victory by just a single run.
Also read: Manjrekar Compare Hardik Pandya With Amitabh BachchanSoon after the World T20 2016, Harsha Bhogle was removed from the commentary panel of BCCI as even some of the Indian cricketers also voiced the same concern. However, he had cleared later in his statement that he never wanted to hurt anyone’s feelings and was just doing his job.
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
Once again, after a couple of years, the same debate has resurfaced with Mr. Bachchan pointing out the prejudice commentary during the first T20I between India and South Africa. Though this time he has asked 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 !”
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
The fans of Harsha Bhogle were aware of the events happened in the aftermath of his tweet in 2016 and quickly 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 are the reactions of the Twitterati on Bachchan’s comments:
https://twitter.com/burhanqutub/status/965291984104673280
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
https://twitter.com/imgajanang/status/965284470466244609
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
https://twitter.com/ideep22/status/965283343670505472
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 (@d_moinak) 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 Chavan☦ DC (@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
