Sanjay Manjrekar Requests BCCI To Rehire Him As Commentator During IPL, Promises To "stick to the guidelines"

Former India batsman-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has reportedly requested the BCCI to take him back as a commentator for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).

Earlier this year in March, he was sensationally sacked by the BCCI just ahead of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa. The series was eventually called off in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Reports at that time suggested that Sanjay Manjrekar won’t be a part of the commentary panel for the IPL too which was to start on March 29 but had to be suspended due to the pandemic.

The BCCI did not give any explanation on the sacking but Sanjay Manjrekar had broken his silence on the same. The former batsman had taken to Twitter to say that commentary was a privilege for him and also accepted BCCI’s decision to sack him from the panel.

“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 wrote.

Sanjay Manjrekar keen to commentate during IPL:

With the IPL 2020 now all set to start on September 19, Sanjay Manjrekar has requested the board to include him in the commentary panel again, according to The Times of India. 

The report stated that Sanjay Manjrekar has sent a short e-mail  to the Apex Council members of the BCCI in which he has assured the Board mandarins that he would “stick to the guidelines laid out” by the BCCI. He had sent an e-mail in this regard previously too.

“Respected members of the Apex Council, hope you all keeping well. You are already in receipt of the email I sent to explain my position as commentator. With the IPL dates announced, bcci.tv will pick its commentary panel soon. I will be happy to work as per the guidelines laid by you. After all, we are working on what is essentially your production. Last time may be there was not enough clarity on this issue. Thanks very much, Regards,” reads his e-mail to the BCCI.

Sanjay Manjrekar was reportedly sacked for his controversial “bits and pieces” comment on allrounder Ravindra Jadeja during the World Cup in England last year.

“We should close this chapter now and forgive Manjrekar. He has already apologised for his comments on Jadeja and sorted it out with the player concerned. He has promised us that he’ll stick to the code of conduct for TV commentators. After all, he’s a fine commentator with massive cricketing knowledge,” a BCCI official told the news outlet.

The final call on this issue will rest with BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

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