Non-cricketers are not given commentary opportunities, says Harsha Bhogle

2019 was quite an eventful year for cricket fanatics. England won what was the most nerve-wracking and competitive ICC World Cup of all time, quite a few legends hung up their boots and India had a fairly decent year. But that is about the on-field incidents. Certain off-the-field incidents caught everyone’s attention as well, as Harsha Bhogle and Sanjay Manjrekar engaged in a bit beyond-the-limit verbal exchange.

It happened in the historic Day-Night Test match between India and Bangladesh, which was held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Many players have raised questions on the visibility of the pink ball at night if the ball is scuffed. Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle also raised a similar question when his co-commentator, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar rubbished the question of visibility.

https://twitter.com/flighted_leggie/status/1198531998475702272

Manjrekar proposed that there is no issue on the visibility of a scuffed ball during the Day-Night Test match. To support his statement, Manjrekar used his experience in the topmost level of cricket, which Bhogle doesn’t have. Harsha Bhogle has played university-level cricket but failed to make it to the top level. “You might need to ask, Harsha. For us, who have played the game, get a fair idea of what is happening out there,” Manjrekar opined.

Manjrekar was criticized by many after his comments, and he soon apologized for his comments. Bhogle, who was present at the lecture organized by Manthan India, said that commentator is a story-teller. “A story-teller can come from anywhere. But there is not a single non-cricketer player is being given the opportunity these days,” he stated. Barring Bhogle, who has played senior-level cricket in Hyderabad, not many non-cricketing personalities can be spotted in the commentary box.

Bhogle doesn’t have a problem on questions about his cricketing experience

Harsha Bhogle is one of India’s most renowned cricket pundits. But given his lack of cricketing experience at the highest level, he often has to endure tough questions. But the experienced commentators have stated he has no issue answering questions about his cricketing experience. “I have no issue with answering how much cricket I have played.”