After terminating Harsha Bhogle’s IPL commentary contract, BCCI offers his role to Taher Shah

After shockingly terminating the commentary contract of renowned TV presenter Harsha Bhogle for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016, the BCCI have in an embarrassing move decided to replace him with sensational(ly bad) Pakistani singer Taher Shah.

After shockingly terminating the commentary contract of renowned TV presenter Harsha Bhogle for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016, the BCCI have in an embarrassing move decided to replace him with sensational(ly bad) Pakistani singer Taher Shah. The development comes as a surprise for millions of Indian fans who are yet to recover from the trauma of Taher’s latest song ‘Ainjal’ aka ‘Engel’ aka ‘Enjal’ aka ‘Angel.’

A source close to BCCI confirmed the signing on the condition of anonymity, “Yes, it is true. The board has signed Taher Shah in place of Bhogle. You see, Harsha’s quality of commentating is not in line with the standards expected from IPL. He pales in comparison to the astute Rameez Raja and the eloquent Danny Morrison. He (Bhogle) was not toeing the BCCI line and managed to upset not just the Shehnshah, but also the Indian management. The board had enough and decided not to retain Harsha for IPL.”

The source further said: “The board has always wanted its commentators to act as its unofficial mouthpieces. The old guards did play that role to perfection. But with one of them becoming a white elephant and the other taking a meaty role in the team’s management set-up, the BCCI had high hopes from Bhogle. The ethical commentator, however, refused to fall in line and thus the board was left with no option but to reconsider the contract. Big B’s and Big D’s tweets proved to be the final nail in the coffin.”

When the source was questioned as to why or how on earth could Taher Shah’s appointment be justified in place of a commentator of Bhogle’s calibre, he said, “What’s wrong with Taher Shah? When you can have Navjot Singh Sidhu giving his nonsensical views on Extraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Innings and making the viewers’ ears bleed with his ‘sher-o-shayari’ and ‘muhavre’, why not Taher? I think he will be a massive addition to the commentators’ panel.” The source signed off by saying, “The best part about Taher Shah’s commentary is that the BCCI will not need to give him any specific set of instructions on what to speak on air. He will as it is be inscrutable”.

The development has come as a major blow to the broadcasters, who were trying to rope in Taher Shah to work alongside Sidhu for Extra Innings. “We needed somebody who could counter Sidhu and stand up to him. The likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Virender Sehwag and Ajay Jadeja had already declined working alongside him after complaining of MENIERE’S DISEASE, an ear disorder which they developed after co-commentating with him. Taher was our only answer to Sidhu. But alas, we lost out on him,” show’s executive producer said.

Taher meanwhile has started practicing for his new role. When contacted for a reaction on how he is preparing for his commentary assignment before leaving for India, Taher said, “I can see with my spectrum eyes. It’s a genuine classic love. She will feel it romantic love. My bride, eye to eye. Glowing with your sparkling eye. Already gotta special love. Sincere promise, peaceful love.”

The writer reportedly is in a “critical yet stable” condition.

Please note this is a humour article — work of pure fiction.

(A self-confessed cricket freak, Chinmay Jawalekar is a senior writer with CricLife and CricketCountry. When not writing or following cricket, he loves to read, eat and sleep. He can be followed here @CricfreakTweets)

About the Author

•