Sanjay Manjrekar has reacted to the news of his removal from BCCI's TV commentary team. He was not part of India-South Africa TV commentary panel
Bengaluru: Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has confirmed that he has been removed from the BCCI’s TV commentary panel and he accepts the decision “as a professional”.
In the recent India-South Africa ODI series, which was called off after the first match due to coronavirus outbreak, Manjrekar was missing from the host broadcaster’s TV commentary team.
Also read: BCCI removes Sanjay Manjrekar from TV commentary panel
Manjrekar has been a regular in all BCCI conducted international matches and he was also part of ICC’s TV commentary team for World Cups.
According to a report, Manjrekar has also been removed from IPL commentary team too. However, as of now, IPL 2020 has been deferred till April 15.
Also read: Virat Kohli's message on coronavirus outbreak
Reacting to his removal, Manjrekar took to the micro-blogging website Twitter and said he will “respect” BCCI’s decision.
“I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whether they choose to have me or not & I will always respect that. Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance of late. I accept that as a professional,” Manjrekar, who played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs, tweeted on Sunday (March 15).
I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whether they choose to have me or not & I will always respect that. Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance of late. I accept that as a professional.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)The 54-year-old former right-handed batsman from Mumbai had been involved in a couple of controversies last year. He had targeted India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja calling him “bits and pieces” cricketer.
Jadeja had hit back at Manjrekar for his comment. Later, Manjrekar had apologised after the batsman hit a half century during India’s World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand in England.
Also, during India’s historic day-night Test in Kolkata, Manjrekar had an on-air spat with his commentary colleague Harsha Bhogle.
Meanwhile, IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took a dig at Manjrekar. The team tweeted, “Need not hear the audio feed in bits and pieces anymore.”
Need not hear the audio feed in bits and pieces anymore. 🦁💛
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)