Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been making headlines recently after being excluded from the commentary panel for IPL 2025. The decision to drop Pathan from the panel has sparked discussions in the cricketing world.
Why Was Irfan Pathan Removed?
According to media reports, several cricketers raised concerns regarding Pathan’s commentary, alleging that he was expressing views based on personal agendas rather than objective analysis. These complaints ultimately led to his removal from the commentary team for this season’s Indian Premier League.
A Financial Setback for Pathan?
Since retiring from professional cricket, Irfan Pathan has established himself as a prominent cricket commentator, earning a significant income through this role. Being excluded from the IPL 2025 commentary panel is undoubtedly a financial loss for him. However, despite this setback, he continues to receive a steady income from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI’s Pension Scheme for Former Players
The BCCI provides a pension scheme for retired cricketers, ensuring financial stability for former players who have contributed to Indian cricket. Irfan Pathan is one of the beneficiaries of this scheme.
How Much Does Irfan Pathan Receive?
Reports indicate that Irfan Pathan receives a monthly pension of ₹60,000 from BCCI, which amounts to ₹7.2 lakh per year. While this sum may not match the earnings from an IPL commentary role, it still provides a consistent source of income for the former cricketer.
Pathan’s New Endeavor – YouTube Channel
Following his exclusion from the IPL commentary panel, Irfan Pathan has launched his own YouTube channel, ‘Seedhi Baat with Irfan Pathan.’ Through this platform, he aims to share his cricketing insights and engage directly with fans, ensuring that he remains active in the world of cricket analysis.
Irfan Pathan’s Cricketing Achievements
During his international career, Irfan Pathan played 29 Test matches, 120 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 24 T20 internationals for India. He was known for his ability to swing the ball and contribute valuable runs with the bat. Pathan took a total of 301 wickets and scored 2,821 runs across formats. He was also a key member of India’s victorious 2007 T20 World Cup squad.
While missing out on the IPL 2025 commentary stint is a setback, Irfan Pathan remains a respected figure in Indian cricket, with multiple avenues to stay connected to the game. Whether through his YouTube channel or his continued financial backing from BCCI, the former all-rounder is far from fading into the background.
