Irfan Pathan has always been more than just a T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder. Over the years, he has carved a strong reputation in the commentary box with his articulate analysis and sharp observations. His insights during high-profile series, including India’s recent contests against England, made him a familiar voice for fans. That is why eyebrows were raised when Pathan was missing from the official commentary panel for the IPL 2025 opener.

According to a Times of India report, the decision to leave him out was influenced by broadcasters who felt he occasionally carried “personal grudges” into his on-air analysis and even his social media commentary. The development sparked speculation among fans, with many questioning whether Pathan’s blunt and fearless opinions had backfired.

Finally, breaking his silence in an interview with Lallantop, Irfan shared his side of the story. “As a broadcaster, your responsibility is towards the fans, not the players. Commentary is not just about describing visuals but also about explaining why something is happening, what could happen next, and how a player is performing. If a cricketer does well, you praise him. If he doesn’t, you criticize him. That is the job,” he said firmly.

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The conversation soon turned towards three big names—Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya. Pathan explained that his criticism of players had always been balanced and rooted in context.

Reflecting on Kohli’s slump between 2019-2020, he said: “I backed him during that period because it was his first major slump. A player of his stature, who had won India so many games, deserved support. But if a dip continues for five years, then it’s a different issue.”

When asked about Hardik Pandya, Pathan offered clarity with a subtle smile. “There are 14 matches in an IPL season. If I have criticized Hardik in seven, I’ve gone soft in the other seven. If mistakes happen repeatedly, I can’t ignore them. This is my job,” he stated.

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Pandya’s move from the Gujarat Titans to the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, where he replaced Rohit Sharma as captain, had already sparked intense fan debate. However, Pathan insisted he had no personal rivalry with Hardik. “All players from Baroda, whether it’s Hardik, Krunal, Deepak Hooda, or Swapnil Singh, have always had our support. Yusuf and I have helped them in every possible way—whether with sponsorships, providing shoes, or creating opportunities. No one can deny that,” he stressed.

Pathan even recalled how VVS Laxman once admitted on live television that ignoring Irfan’s suggestion back in 2012 cost Hardik an early opportunity with Sunrisers Hyderabad. “If people question my support, they should remember incidents like this. I’ve always wanted Baroda players to succeed,” he added.

Addressing the narrative that he had been harsh on Pandya, Pathan explained that his intent was never personal. “Every player has PR teams now, and stories get spun. But my responsibility as a commentator is towards the audience. Criticism is part of the game. Even legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar were criticized. What I object to are derogatory words. Criticism is fine, but disrespect is not. I even defended Hardik when such words were used against him on-air.”

Irfan’s candid remarks highlight the thin line commentators often tread between honest analysis and perceived bias. His words are a reminder that while players come and go, the commentator’s job is to serve the game’s biggest stakeholders—the fans.