A day after former England captain Michael Atherton suggested that the BCCI has imposed a sort of “censorship” on TV commentators, the BCCI moved into damage-control mode, denying that any gag order was issued. Nimbus, the production company which had engaged Atherton as a commentator, also denied that they issued any such instructions.

‘No sensitive subjects, controversial issues’

The Indian cricket board treats Nimbus, the production company to whom they sold the television rights, like an in-house production company. Nimbus are petrified of upsetting their ‘employer’, for fear of not getting any future rights, so any criticism of the BCCI is strictly frowned upon. Local commentators are already asked to wear the BCCI logo and are asked not to mention sensitive subjects like the spat between Greg Chappell and Sourav Ganguly, or controversial selection issues, no matter how germane they might be to the action
—Michael Atherton, The Daily telegraph

No question of gagging anyone: Nimbus

I am the producer of the series and I have not issued any instructions to this effect. In fact, the commentators were very critical of the amount of cricket being played and of the board overusing certain cricketers. There’s no question of gagging anyone.
—Harish Thawani, promoter, Nimbus

We haven’t been told anything. And I can’t comment on Atherton’s comments.
—Javagal Srinath, Nimbus commentator

No comments
—Arun Lal, Nimbus commentator

Others on commentary team: David Gower, Ian Botham, Dean Jones & L Sivaramakrishnan.

No censorship on criticism: BCCI

There no such censorship. It is just a misunderstanding. Cricketers, once out of the field, have a platform to criticise people as openly as they can. If they have any concerns they can clarify with us.”
—Niranjan Shah, Secretary, BCCI

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