‘I only commentate on cricket, T20 is not cricket’ – Michael Holding reveals his absence in IPL
Michael Holding, a former great fast bowler, is one of the most well-known figures in sports. Whether it’s speaking out against racism or providing genuine facts about cricket, Holding is always forthright in his opinions. But if there’s one thing lacking from his already outstanding resume, it’s his absence on the commentary panel for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The league began in 2008, however the West Indian legend has yet to play in the T20 tournament.
Holding has stated on numerous occasions that he dislikes T20 cricket and that it is not a proper format when compared to the other two traditional formats of Test and ODI cricket. West Indies, on the other hand, have excelled in the T20I format, winning two World Cups in 2012 and 2016. The cricketer-turned-commentator, on the other hand, chastised the squad, claiming that the West Indies’ current Test downturn is due to T20 cricket.
Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, and Dwayne Bravo are just a few examples of players who have missed international series and gone on to play in other leagues throughout the world. Holding holds the administration responsible for players’ decisions to prioritize money over international responsibilities.
“Many West Indian players do not want to play for the West Indies. What are you going to do with a six-week salary of 600,000 or 800,000 dollars? I don’t hold it against the cricketers. The administrators are to fault. Holding told Indian Express that the West Indies will win T20 competitions that aren’t cricket.
Virat Kohli and Viv Richards are compared by Michael Holding.
Holding didn’t mince words when asked about his absence from the famous IPL, saying, “I only commentate on cricket.”
The 67-year-old also gave Indian captain Virat Kohli some advise, comparing him to his former West Indies teammate Viv Richards. Richards and Kohli, according to the former fast bowler, have similar conduct in that they both wear their hearts on their sleeves and are highly passionate players.
“Virat Kohli is a man with his heart on his sleeve. He’s the type of person who will tell you exactly how he feels. I believe he gets carried away from time to time, but that is Virat Kohli, the man. In that way, he reminds me of Viv (Richards). On the pitch, Viv may be overly demonstrative at times. But they are the two gentlemen’s personalities. They can also tone it down a little, but it’s difficult to instruct a Mustang to trot if you’re a Mustang. Holding added, “He’s going to gallop.”