IPL 2025: Harbhajan Singh faces backlash over 'racist' remark on England's Jofra Archer
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has found himself embroiled in a social media storm following a controversial remark during his commentary stint on the IPL 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
The Turbanator's reference to English pacer Jofra Archer sparked outrage, as he compared Archer's fast bowling to the “meter of London's black taxis.”
While trying to highlight Archer’s speed, Harbhajan said, “London me kaali taxi ka meter tez bhaagta hai, Aur yaha pe Archer sahab ka meter bhi tez bhaaga hai” — meaning, “Like the meter of London's black taxis, Archer's meter has also been on the higher side.”
"London me wo Kaali Taxi hai na, Jofra ka meter waisa hi bhaag raha hai"
💀💀💀
Sehwag needs to hesitate 😂#SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/x9bXDlMRpy
— Syed (@Hakeemuddinsk) March 23, 2025
The comment, though likely intended as a playful analogy, was immediately criticised on social media, with fans calling it racially insensitive.
Harbhajan Singh has called Jofra Archer a black taxi driver with a high meter value just now in the Hindi commentary. This is vile and disgusting. Please ban him.
— ` (@FourOverthrows) March 23, 2025
Take action against him @BCCI @ECB_cricket
This is embarrassing, and certainly not expected from a commentator.
— Vibhor (@Vibhor4CSK) March 23, 2025
Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) has called @JofraArcher a "black London taxi" during live commentary.
Isa Guha was made to apologise on air for her comments about Bumrah. Will the BCCI or Star now ask Harbhajan to apologise live on air? Will the ECB say anything? 💰 #IPL pic.twitter.com/ANGxvsCMlb
— M (@anngrypakiistan) March 23, 2025
Despite the backlash, the former spinner has not issued any clarification or apology for the remark so far.
The controversy overshadowed an otherwise thrilling IPL match, where Sunrisers Hyderabad triumphed over Rajasthan Royals by 44 runs. Ishan Kishan was the star of the show, blasting an explosive 106 not out off 47 balls to lead his team to an imposing total of 286/6, their second-highest score in IPL history.
Archer, despite being the Royals' key bowler, struggled throughout the match, with Head taking him to the cleaners early on.
