Sony Pictures Networks, the Indian broadcaster of ongoing India’s tour of Australia, has decided to black out the commentary of the former Australian cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe.
During the Melbourne Test starting on Boxing Day, Kerry O’Keeffe was under huge controversies for his comments on the Indian cricket. At first, he ridiculed the Indian opening batsman Mayank Agarwal’s maiden first-class triple-hundred by claiming that it came against “canteen staff”.
Mayank made his international debut in that game and scored the fighting 76 and 42 runs respectively. His best first-calls knock is 304* against Maharashtra in the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy.
However, O’Keeffe ridiculed that knock by quoting, “Apparently he got the triple against the Railways canteen staff.”
Later, he also took a dig on Indian names after struggling with the pronunciation of the names of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja.
He asked on that matter, “Why would you name your kid Cheteshwar, Jadeja?”
Later, O’Keeffe apologised for his remark on the Indian domestic cricket. He called it was tongue in cheek. He also wrote an open letter on foxsports.com.au where he asked to give him the benefit of the doubt in that case.
Also read: Kerry O’Keeffe Apologises For His Demeaning Comment On Mayank Agarwal
O’Keeffe wrote on it, “I respect India, its cricketers and its supporters for their deep love of the game and it hurts me to think a couple of misplaced attempts at humour might compromise our mutual joy in all things cricket. While I’ve listened to the feedback to some of my calls, it’s now important for me to move on and look to the Sydney Test. I love calling cricket for a living and I’ll continue to do it in my slightly offbeat style. I’d like to think I produce more diamonds than rocks in the commentary box and that viewers will give me the benefit of the doubt if I bowl the occasional no-ball.”
However, the Indian broadcaster hasn’t impressed on him as they have now decided to black out his part of the commentary. According to a report of Mumbai Mirror, Sony is going to use the commentary from Fox Cricket but O’Keeffe’s commentary will not be heard in India.
A source told Mumbai Mirror, “We cannot have someone making snide remarks on Indian players.”
However, that source has also confirmed that the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t pressurised the broadcaster on this matter.
That source added, “We’re sensitive to that matter, we don’t need to be told.”
