Commentators have been integral to cricket broadcasting, providing expert opinions and making the game more enjoyable for viewers. However, there have been instances when some commentators have been criticized for their harsh and snarky comments on air.
In particular, certain comments have drawn backlash from players, fans, and fellow experts alike. Here are five examples of commentators accused of being rude on air and social media.
1. Geoffrey Boycott was criticized for making sexist comments.
Geoffrey Boycott’s comments belittling women’s cricket received significant backlash. His statement that women’s cricket lacked the intensity and skill level of men’s cricket was considered sexist and disrespectful. Many criticized his remarks for undermining female cricketers’ hard work and talent.
2. Sanjay Manjrekar was criticized for his derogatory “bits and pieces” remark.
Sanjay Manjrekar faced backlash for calling Ravindra Jadeja a “bits and pieces” player in the 2019 World Cup. However, Jadeja’s outstanding performance in the semi-final against New Zealand proved his worth and shut down Manjrekar’s criticism. Jadeja also took a jab at Manjrekar on Twitter, fueling the fire.
3. Kerry O’Keeffe’s controversial comments on Mayank Agarwal
In the 2018 India vs. Australia third Test, a former Australian cricketer disparaged Mayank Agarwal. Fans on social media heavily criticized him, leading to a formal apology. The cricketer had mocked the legitimacy of Agarwal’s triple-century score against Jalandhar Railways.
4. Russell Arnold’s Controversial Comment on Test Cricket
In 2018, Russell Arnold, the former Sri Lankan all-rounder, made a critical tweet about India after they lost a Test match by 60 runs, questioning whether Test matches were still played for five days. He tweeted, “Test matches are still five days, aren’t they??? #justasking.”
5. Dean Jones’ Controversial “Terrorist” Comment
Dean Jones made a highly inappropriate and offensive comment about former South African Test captain Hashim Amla by referring to him as a terrorist. His employer, Ten Sports, subsequently terminated Jones. The derogatory remark was made while Amla took a catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara and received widespread condemnation for its disrespectful nature.
