'I Only Commentate On Cricket' Michael Holding On Why He Does Not Commentate During IPL

Updated - 28 Jun 2021, 08:51 PM

Michael Holding [Image-Sky Sports]
Michael Holding [Image-Sky Sports]

Former West Indies tearaway speedster Michael Holding has not minced his words regarding his dislike for T20 cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL). Michael Holding, working as a commentator and doing it mainly in Test cricket, doesn’t consider the shortest format as part of the sport. The Jamaican hasn’t been impressed with West Indies’ gameplay in Test cricket, blaming the T20 version for the downfall.

The West Indies are far from the Test-match side that was in the early 1970s and the 1990s under Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards. Not only did the Caribbeans have a quality batting line-up and highly reliable batsmen, but they also had a fearsome bowling combination. There was a period of 15 years that the West Indies went without losing a Test series.

West Indies vs South Africa 2nd T20I
Photo Credit: (ICC)

But currently, the West Indies have succumbed to seventh in the rankings. The men in maroon have often shown glimpses of returning to their best; however, they take two steps backwards later. Recently, they meekly surrendered to South Africa at home as their batting line-up could not withstand the tourists’ pace attack.

West Indies will win T20 tournaments which aren’t cricket: Michael Holding

Michael Holding [Image- Getty]
Michael Holding criticized the West Indian players for not showing interest to play for the national team and is baffled by their greed for money. But the 67-year old underlined that the blame lies with the administrators and not the cricketers. Holding feels that even if they defend their T20 crown successfully this year, it would hardly mean anything.

“Many West Indies players are not interested in playing for West Indies. When you are earning 600,000 or 800,000 dollars 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,” Holding said as quoted by NDTV Sports.

When asked why does he not commentate in IPL, Holding bluntly responded “I only commentate on cricket,”

Also Read: New Zealand’s Seam Bowling Attack Is The Best In The World: Shane Jurgensen

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Michael Holding West Indies National Cricket Team