The mysterious last-minute removal of commentator Harsha Bhogle from the Indian Premier League (IPL) roster seems to be turning into a major controversy at the start of IPL-9. According to a source Bhogle's ouster could be due to a complaint from some of the senior Indian cricketers.
The experienced commentator has been saying that "I still don't know the reason." He was on the panel until 48 hours before the tournament began and was even requested to 'okay' booking of his flight tickets. "The next day I received an e-mail saying my services are not required," he had said earlier.
There hasn't been any word from the BCCI headquarters on the issue, while the support for Bhogle on social media continues to grow.
But what can now snowball this into a major controversy is the latest comment by Bhogle that suggests some of the senior players in the Indian team may have complained to the board after a match in the recently concluded ICC World Twenty20.
Board officials said Bhogle had an angry exchange with a cricket official at the venue as he wanted him to open the door, and this reached the Nagpur-based BCCI president Shashank Manohar. Those in the know said this incident was the trigger that resulted in Bhogle losing out.
“Even if it was the Nagpur incident, no one heard my part of the story,” said Bhogle.
