Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has ignited a major controversy during the IPL 2025 season with a racially insensitive comment about England fast bowler Jofra Archer.
While commentating on the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), Harbhajan compared Archer’s performance to “London’s black taxi.”
He stated, “London me kaali taxi ka meter tez bhaagta hai, Aur yaha pe Archer sahab ka meter bhi tez bhaaga hai” (In London, the black taxi’s meter runs fast, and here Archer’s meter also ran fast).
Backlash on Social Media
The comment was made during the 18th over of the first innings after SRH batsman Heinrich Klaasen hit consecutive boundaries off Archer.
This remark quickly drew widespread criticism on social media, with many fans calling it racist and demanding Harbhajan singh removal from the commentary panel.
Users expressed their outrage, emphasizing the inappropriateness of the comparison, especially given Harbhajan’s own experiences with racism during his playing career.
Archer’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Jofra Archer had a challenging debut in IPL 2025, conceding 76 runs without taking any wickets—marking the most expensive bowling figures in IPL history.
His performance was overshadowed by Harbhajan’s controversial remarks, which many felt were ill-timed considering Archer’s struggles on the field.
Calls for Accountability
The incident has prompted calls for immediate action against Harbhajan Singh, including demands for an official apology.
Critics pointed out the irony of his comments, given his past allegations of racism during his cricketing career, notably during the infamous “Monkeygate” scandal involving Andrew Symonds in 2008.
As of now, Harbhajan has not issued any clarification or apology regarding his statement.
In contrast to Archer’s performance, the Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved a remarkable victory over Rajasthan Royals, scoring 286 runs—just two runs shy of breaking their own record for the highest total in IPL history.
Ishan Kishan played a pivotal role in this win, scoring a century off just 45 balls as SRH won by 44 runs.
