Sanjay Manjrekar and Harsha Bhogle had a heated discussion – which soon turned into an argument – on the future of the pink ball in Test cricket on Sunday. (File) Sanjay Manjrekar and Harsha Bhogle had a heated discussion – which soon turned into an argument – on the future of the pink ball in Test cricket on Sunday. (File)

Commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has come under criticism for insulting colleague Harsha Bhogle while on air on the third and final day of the Day/Night Test between India and Bangladesh in Kolkata on Sunday. The two commentators were talking about the pink ball and its future in Test cricket when Manjrekar seemed to suggest that he was more of an authority in the game because he has more played international cricket.

Harsha bhogle and Sanjay manjrekar having a difference of opinion on live tv pic.twitter.com/0TTSLQDCvO — Vijay (@flighted_leggie) November 24, 2019

“When there is a post-mortem done of this, the visibility of the ball will be one of things to look at,” Bhogle said.

Manjrekar, who played 37 Tests for India between 1987 and 1996, replied, “Don’t think so. Don’t think visibility is an issue.”

“We just need to ask the players what they think,” Bhogle replied.

Manjrekar, escalating the argument, took an unexpected jibe at Bhogle’s lack of experience in playing international cricket at his point. “You need to ask, for those who have played cricket, it’s evident it can be seen well,” he said.

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Bhogle, ignoring the import of the comment, said, “The only reason you need to ask is, having played cricket should never be a limitation or a ceiling to learning. We would never have had T20 cricket otherwise.”

The matter ended with Manjrekar saying, “Point taken, don’t agree.”

Here’s how people reacted to the discussion:

This is boorish and absolutely unnecessary from @sanjaymanjrekar. Pity. What does it cost to be civil to a fellow commentator who was asking a very valid question? “You need to ask.” Really. https://t.co/M7uhsyFpgD — Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) November 24, 2019

This is unnecessarily condescending and disappointing coming from someone such as @sanjaymanjrekar who I have respect and affection for. Of course playing the game at the highest level is great. But, as @bhogleharsha says, no harm at all in asking those involved in THIS game. https://t.co/MTvIVLzcK0 — Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) November 24, 2019

Sanjay Manjrekar is a disgrace to television commentary. I’ve had enough! #IndvBan — Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) November 24, 2019

The @sanjaymanjrekar v @bhogleharsha controversy is ridiculous. Listen to Australian, NZ, SA or English commentators. They disagree with each other every 2 minutes while pulling the “have you ever made a 200” card. Strong opinions are awesome. — Dennis Babar (@DennisCricket_) November 24, 2019

Bhogle, the first Indian commentator to be invited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for an overseas tour in 1992, has played cricket at university level in Hyderabad, before becoming arguably the most respected Indian cricket analyst of a generation.

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