Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, returning to the commentary panel for the first time since he was behind the mic in the 2017 IPL, expressed his displeasure at missing out on a commentating opportunity over the last few years due to a “stupid” constitution.

Shastri, considered one of the most acclaimed Indian commentators, will be a part of the broadcast panel for the upcoming edition of the IPL, beginning on March 26. Roped in to do Hindi commentary after a gap of four years, Shastri will also have Suresh Raina alongside him, with Star Sports offering the former Chennai Super Kings batter a gig after he was unsold in the recent auction.

Shastri, whose contract with Team India ended last year in November after being named coach in July 2017, lashed out at the constitution that prevented him from taking part in commentary gigs during the IPL ever since he took over the national side.

In a press conference organised by Star Sports, Shastri said, “This is the 15th edition of the IPL, I did the first 11 years and then thanks to some stupid conflict of interest clause that exists in some stupid constitution that binds us, you could not do the last few seasons.”

This is not the first time that the 59-year-old has spoken against the conflict of interest clause. In December 2021, Shastri had asked for the clause to be “thrown into the bin.”

“Another country’s coach, can come and coach in an IPL team but you are not allowing your own players to do it. Conflict of interest is nonsense. For someone like me, not being allowed to do commentary (IPL) when I am the coach of India, how is that conflict of interest? I am not a selector of a team. How am I going to influence anyone from being picked to play for India?

“Yet if there is a Ricky Ponting who is the coach of Delhi Capitals, he can do television in his own country and comment on players who are with him for Delhi Capitals. This Conflict of Interest when it comes to cricket in India should be thrown into the bin. We need our cricketers to get the exposure and come back into the system. How are you going to get the Sachin Tendulkars or the Dravid’s to come back and contribute to the game if everywhere you are going to come and put a conflict of interest clause?”

Sign up to bet365 across the IPL, to be entered into a draw for the chance to win a Wisden poster of your choice, terms and conditions apply, more information here. 18+ begambleaware.org