Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh found himself at the centre of controversy after making a racially insensitive remark about England fast bowler Jofra Archer during an IPL 2025 match. The incident occurred during the 18th over of the first innings in the match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Archer was bowling to Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen when Harbhajan commented, “London me kaali taxi ka meter tez bhaagta hai, Aur yaha pe Archer sahab ka meter bhi tez bhaaga hai” (Like the meter of London’s black taxis, Archer’s meter has also been on the higher side). The remark was seen as offensive and sparked widespread outrage on social media, with fans demanding Harbhajan’s immediate suspension from the IPL commentary panel.
Archer’s Expensive Bowling Performance
Jofra Archer’s return to the IPL turned out to be a forgettable outing. He had an expensive spell, conceding 76 runs without taking a wicket, making it the most expensive bowling performance in IPL history. This record surpassed Mohit Sharma’s 0/73 for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in the previous season.
Archer’s expensive figures contributed to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s dominance in the match. Despite his efforts, SRH’s batting onslaught made it difficult for Rajasthan Royals to stage a comeback. Archer’s poor performance added to the disappointment for RR as they failed to restrict SRH’s aggressive batting lineup.
Record-Breaking Performance by Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad showcased an exceptional batting display, scoring 286/6 in their innings, just two runs short of breaking their own record for the highest total in IPL history. SRH had previously set the record by scoring 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024. Ishan Kishan was the star performer for SRH, smashing his maiden IPL century in just 45 balls.
His powerful innings laid the foundation for SRH’s massive total. Heinrich Klaasen and other batters also contributed significantly to ensure a strong finish. SRH eventually defeated Rajasthan Royals by 44 runs, starting their IPL 2025 campaign on a high note. Their commanding performance set the tone for the rest of the tournament, while the controversy surrounding Harbhajan Singh cast a shadow over the match.
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