NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh has landed in controversy after allegedly making a racial remark directed at Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma. The incident reportedly took place after Mumbai Indians handed Punjab Kings a six-wicket defeat in Dharamsala — PBKS’ fifth consecutive loss in IPL 2026.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Arshdeep can allegedly be heard saying to Tilak, “Oye Andhere, sunscreen lagaaya?” (Hey dark one, did you apply sunscreen?).”
Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan was among the first to react to the incident. Recalling his own experiences of facing comments over his skin tone during his playing days, Sivaramakrishnan strongly condemned the remark.
After watching the video, the former India cricketer – who played nine Tests and 16 ODIs – called for strict action against Arshdeep and even demanded a ban.
“Nobody believed me. Everyone mocked and trolled me. Arshdeep should be banned this season and should be paid on a pro rata basis. The players today should be hit where it hurts the most. I am sure I would be trolled again,” Sivaramakrishnan posted on X.
“I told you guys. Tilak can’t say anything now as he is in early part of his career. But BCCI with this proof can take action,” he said in another post.
“If BCCI takes action, I will name people who racially abused me if BCCI will take action against them,” he said.
Sivaramakrishnan had recently alleged that some of his former India teammates referred to him as “dark boy” because of his skin tone.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Sivaramakrishnan recalled an incident from India’s tour of Pakistan, when he was part of the national squad.
He claimed that then-captain Sunil Gavaskar had ordered a cake for him.
However, what was meant to be a celebration turned into a painful memory that still affects him. After the Arshdeep video surfaced online, those memories reportedly came back to him.
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“Hey Sunny, you ordered the right colour cake. Such a dark chocolate cake for a dark boy,” Sivaramakrishnan recalled a teammate telling Gavaskar, according to the report in The Indian Express.
Sivaramakrishnan represented India between 1983 and 1987, playing nine Tests and 16 ODIs while taking a combined 41 wickets.
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