New Delhi: Star Sports, the broadcasting giant of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has refuted allegations of breaching Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's privacy.
Rohit had accused the channel of disregarding his requests to refrain from recording his conversations.
The saga began with a video featuring Rohit and Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, which made rounds online on May 11. Allegedly, the video captured Rohit discussing his future with the Mumbai Indians team. Despite its swift circulation, the video was later removed from Kolkata Knight Riders' social media platforms.
Another incident unfolded before Mumbai Indians clashed with Lucknow Super Giants on May 16, where Rohit found himself conversing with Dhawal Kulkarni under the scrutiny of cameras. In a bid to safeguard his privacy, Rohit promptly requested Star Sports to mute the audio.
In response to the accusations, Star Sports clarified its position in a statement, assuring that no audio from Rohit's conversations was recorded or broadcast during the May 16 incident at the Wankhede Stadium. The channel clarified that the clip merely captured Rohit's plea to avoid recording his conversation, which was part of their live coverage of pre-match preparations.
Expressing his concerns, Rohit highlighted the significance of exercising restraint in capturing on-field moments, stressing the need to prioritise players' privacy over exclusive content. He urged for better judgment in handling such delicate matters.
In a gesture of acknowledgment, Star Sports reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding players' privacy while providing enthralling content to cricket enthusiasts. With integrity and respect at its core, the broadcaster reiterated its pledge to strike a balance between delivering compelling coverage and respecting players' privacy.