Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan called for a season-long ban on Punjab Kings (PBKS) pacer Arshdeep Singh on Friday, May 15. This comes in the wake of a viral video where Arshdeep allegedly directed a “racist” comment at Mumbai Indians’ Tilak Varma ahead of their match in Dharams.
The The controversy stems from a shared viral Snapchat video by Arshdeep on Thursday, May 14th. In the clip, the Punjab Kings pacer is seen engaging in what he probably intended as playful banter with Tilak Varma. Arshdeep looked directly at Tilak and said, “Oye Andher, sunscreen lagaaya?” (Hey dark, did you put on sunscreen?).
The conversation did not end there. Arshdeep then pointed to Tilak’s teammate Naman Dhir and called him the “true Noor” (light/shine) of Punjab. While Dhir was seen explaining the meaning of the words, eventually replying that he was already using sunscreen, the clip created a storm on social media.
BANTER OR BIGOTS?
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan took to X on Friday morning to express his displeasure and reject the teasing defense being used by some fans. He argued that the power dynamics in professional cricket often prevent younger players from speaking up.
A former leg rider who has previously raised concerns about color discriminationhe argued that the rejection of such remarks as locker room humor is precisely why these problems persist. Emphasizing the professional nature of the modern game, he simply stated, “It’s not a game anymore, it’s a profession.”
In a subsequent post, he called for a financial and competitive penalty to set a firm precedent.
Sivaramakrishnan ended his run of posts with a major offer to the board, suggesting that a crackdown on current players could lead to deeper issues from his own career being exposed. He wrote, “If BCCI takes action, I will name the people who racially abused me if action is taken against them.”
BCCI DISCIPLINE PROBLEM?
This incident puts BCCI in a difficult position. Earlier this season, the board issued a strict seven-page advisory for all IPL franchises regarding behavior off the pitch and behavior on social media.
Arshdeep was already under the scanner this month after another of his vlogs allegedly caught a teammate Yuzvendra Chahal in the vaping controversy.
As per the current IPL Code of Conduct, any conduct which is considered against the spirit of the game or which brings the game into disrepute may be subject to scrutiny by the match referee or the BCCI Disciplinary Committee. The central question for the authorities remains whether this exchange is perceived as a private joke between peers or a breach of professional standards.
As the 2026 season enters its final phase, attention now shifts to whether the BCCI will decide to address the matter formally or provide players with further clarification on its social media guidelines. For Sivaramakrishnan, the way forward is clear: the transition from game to global profession requires a level of responsibility that matches the sport’s massive public platform.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
15 May 2026 09:49 IST
