Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh faced severe backlash on Wednesday as a video purportedly captured him making a racist comment against Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma during their IPL 2026 match at Dharamsala.
The two players were seen engaged in an informal conversation on the eve of Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians game. The clip which later went viral allegedly captured Arshdeep saying "Oye andhere, sunscreen lagaya?" to Tilak and was replied by the MI batsman, who asked the Punjab Kings speedster to focus on the next day's match.
The clip soon spread like wildfire over social media platforms, receiving mixed reactions from fans and cricketers. While some labeled it as harmless banter between friends and teammates, others lashed out at Arshdeep, calling his comment inappropriate.
Sivaramakrishnan Urges BCCI to Take Action
Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan also came out with a strong statement condemning the controversy and urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to investigate and ban Arshdeep for the season.
Replying to a user's tweet on X, Sivaramakrishnan stated: “Tilak can’t say anything now as he is in early part of his career. But BCCI with this proof can take action."
The former spinner also reportedly supported strict punishment for Arshdeep if the board decides to act on the issue. However, the BCCI has not made any official statement so far regarding the controversy.
The incident adds further pressure on Punjab Kings, who are currently in a precarious situation in the IPL 2026, with inconsistent form and results.
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Arshdeep’s Response to Fan Sparks Fresh Criticism
In another incident apart from the controversial video, Arshdeep had also been at the receiving end when he replied to a fan on the social media platform following Punjab Kings' defeat against Mumbai Indians.
A user went on to question the franchise and mentioned that Punjab should remove the name as it's tarnishing the name of the state. Arshdeep replied back in Snapchat by saying,“ What have you done for Punjab, Singh saab? People who still ask family for chips and cold drink money are now advising me on the name?”
The response did not sit well with the internet and the users ended up saying that the pacer was lashing out over criticism.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings are currently struggling to secure a playoff berth for IPL 2026. The Kings have been going through a tough phase and need to win their remaining fixtures in order to book a spot in the playoffs.
The PBKS will next lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 17 at the HPCA Stadium.
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