Why Michael Holding does not commentate in IPL? Here's his scathing reply
Michael Holding is famous for being one of the most prolific pacers to have ever played the sport to date. Meanwhile, he is also making his mark as a commentator. However, he has a distinct dislike for Twenty20 cricket, as he does not commentate in the format.
FollowLegendary former Windies pacer Michael Holding terrorised most of the batsmen in Tests and One-Day International during his glory days and is undoubtedly rated as one of the best pacers to have ever played the sport. He was so good that fans wish he could have played the Twenty20 format as well.
Nonetheless, Holding is now making his mark as a commentator, especially during England matches. However, he has refrained from commenting in T20 cricket, including the lucrative Indian Premier League.
While fans wonder why is it so, he was questioned on the same by Indian media house The Indian Express. Notwithstanding, the reply he presented was scathing, which is sure to impress bowlers but would make T20 fans hate him. Holding feels that T20 is not cricket at all, besides asserting that winning a tournament in the format does not mean it is the king of world cricket, believing that it is what that has led to the downfall of Windies cricket.
“Many West Indies players are not interested in playing for West Indies. When you are earning $600,000 or $800,000 for six weeks, what are you going to do? I don’t blame the cricketers. I blame the administrators. West Indies will win T20 tournaments which aren’t cricket. I only commentate on cricket,” he said.
Holding recently launched his book, “Why We Kneel, How We Rise,” which talks about racial discrimination against blacks. He has pondered on the fact that how important it is to get rid of racism in sport.
“Racism is institutionalised and systemic. That’s what we are trying to get rid of. Thierry Henry talks about how many Black players have never been able to become football coaches. We must get rid of institutionalised racism to achieve that,” he said when asked if every sport is white-dominated.
“This is not going to be an easy read for anyone. My sister called to say that some chapters are difficult to read. It had to be a hard read because unless you recognise why you are sick, you can’t cure yourself. It was both cathartic and emotional and, at times, difficult to write. Because there was a lot in the book that I didn’t know… I had to go and research. I saw some pictures from the 40s and 50s about what they did to people. They did really degrading things to Black people,” he commented on his book.
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