Shortly after each team’s trimmings from their squads before the IPL 2021 auction were revealed, commentator and analyst Harsha Bhogle put out a tweet commenting on South Africa “declining as a talent pool” and the shortage of options in New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

With South Africa declining as a talent pool, not many options in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, only so many choices in New Zealand and a host of West Indies players released, the pool of overseas players is getting smaller ahead of a ten team IPL.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 20, 2021

Over the years, the IPL has been the biggest franchise league attracting overseas talent, and while there’s no shortage of available players, Bhogle wondered whether these countries were still capable of feeding the tournament with enough quality, especially with the tournament set to add two further teams for the 2021 edition. The tweet caused quite a stir as South Africa fans and leading the outrage was Vincent Barnes, Cricket South Africa’s high performance manager.

Harsha, South Africa talent pool declining? Get rid of your blinkers and have a good look around.

— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes60) January 21, 2021

Bhogle retorted asking for names from the South African talent pool who were ready to step into the IPL.

Scream? Why don’t you do some research before making statements. That’s your job isn’t it?

— Vincent Barnes (@VincentBarnes60) January 21, 2021

For all cricket lovers in South Africa who are showing varying shades of anger, happy to get a list of top talents from the Ngidi and Nortje era (not established players like Rabada and de Kock). A strong South Africa is good for world cricket and I would be happy to know more. https://t.co/74WZ5TMioO

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 21, 2021

His tweets did not sit well with a lot of fans, who questioned his knowledge of the talent pool in South Africa and other countries.

There are many –
Verreyne
Klaasen
Janneman Malan
George Linde
Aiden Markram
Ryan Rickelton
Sarel Erwee
De Zorji

— Shalin Shah (@ShalinS44244672) January 21, 2021

Only so many choices in NZ

Jamieson, Lockie, Williamson, CDG, Boult, Munro, Phillips, Santner, Milne, Seifert as of now.

You will also see Bruce, Finn Allen, Sears, Conway in a few years be ready in a few years. https://t.co/0FYBmp8iwk

— Static_357 (@Static_a357) January 21, 2021

Also if you follow Bangladesh cricket closely enough you will know this is the most exciting phase in their cricket history. The same can be said about England but you conveniently chose to exclude them from your tweet. https://t.co/0FYBmp8iwk

— Static_357 (@Static_a357) January 21, 2021

What you smoking isn’t good on how you use your brain https://t.co/oAcpKNxlW2

— Mabhengwane (@Terribleterence) January 20, 2021

South Africa has a better talent pool than Australia. Fight me. I dare you. https://t.co/1OAFubVklf

— Sabeeha Majid 🏏 (@SabeehaMajid) January 20, 2021