Harbhajan Singh sparks 'racism' row over "Kaali Taxi" comment on Jofra Archer in IPL 2025

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has come under fire for a controversial remark made during an IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). While commentating during the 18th over of the first innings, he compared England fast bowler Jofra Archer’s expensive spell to London’s black taxis, saying, “London me kaali taxi ka meter tez bhaagta hai, Aur yaha pe Archer sahab ka meter bhi tez bhaaga hai.” The remark quickly drew backlash, with demands for his suspension from the commentary panel.

Archer had a challenging outing, conceding 76 runs without taking a wicket in his first IPL 2025 match. His figures became the most expensive in IPL history, surpassing Mohit Sharma’s 0/73 for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in 2024. Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan took advantage of his struggles, hitting multiple boundaries in the over when the comment was made. Fans took to social media, criticizing Harbhajan's remark and calling for disciplinary action.

Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered a record-breaking batting performance, posting 286/6 against Rajasthan Royals. This was their fourth total of 250-plus runs in T20 cricket, the most by any team. They fell just two runs short of breaking their own IPL record of 287/3, set against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024. Their aggressive batting overshadowed Archer’s costly spell and ensured a dominant position in the match.

Ishan Kishan was the standout performer for SRH, scoring his maiden IPL century in just 45 balls. His explosive innings played a crucial role in helping SRH set a massive target. Klaasen and other middle-order batters provided strong support, contributing to one of the highest IPL team totals. Rajasthan Royals struggled to chase down the target, falling short by 44 runs despite a few notable performances in their batting lineup.

Following the match, discussions around Harbhajan’s comment continued, with growing calls for action. No official response has been issued regarding potential consequences for the former spinner. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad started their IPL 2025 campaign with a commanding 44-run victory, securing an early lead in the tournament standings.