Former India batsman S. Badrinath found himself at the center of a social media storm after a controversial remark during the Tamil commentary of Sunday’s IPL thriller between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
The incident occurred when RCB’s Krunal Pandya collapsed in agony with severe spasms during a high-stakes run in Raipur. When MI wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton stepped in to help stretch the batter, Badrinath remarked on commentary for a regional channel: “Opposition ‘Cramp ku nee saavu’ nu sollama vandhu stretch panirkanga parava ille.” RCB vs MI: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Translated literally, the phrase—specifically the word “saavu” (to die)—seemed to suggest callousness toward the player’s plight. The clip went viral on Monday, May 11, and fans accused the commentator of being insensitive. However, Badrinath was quick to clarify that his intention was exactly the opposite.
LINK TO SLAG
Taking to social media to clear the air, Badrinath explained that his words were a tribute to sportsmanship, delivered in colloquial Tamil.
“Let him die there” will not be my attitude. I’ll go and stretch him. Great gesture from Ryan Rickelton. He and MI should get Fair Play points for that,” he said.
“That’s what I said on air, for people who don’t understand colloquial Tamil,” he added.
“Let him die of convulsions on the ground,” says former cricketer S Badrinath, commentating in Tamil during an RCB MI game. How is this tolerated, how funny is this? pic.twitter.com/qy8X7jXd73— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) May 11, 2026
Screengrab by X
GOSSIP OF THE SEASON?
The controversy served as a dramatic backdrop to what was arguably Krunal Pandya’s finest hour in an RCB shirt. Chasing a formidable target to keep his play-off hopes alive, Krunal defied his own body in a display of pure grit.
Despite debilitating cramps that forced him to the ground several times, Krunal played a championship-winning 73 off 46 balls. His innings was a master class in calculated aggression, with surgical precision picking out gaps and clearing the ropes as the required pace rises.
Pandya’s attack on Allah Ghazanfar in the 18th over became the defining image of RCB’s victory. Despite collapsing on the pitch with severe spasms and denying singles, Krunal hit the young spinner for two towering sixes to level the equation before finally falling on the last ball of the over for a heroic 73.
Every time it looked like Krunal might walk away hurt, he pulled himself back up, eventually led RCB to a glorious victory which officially knocked five-time champions Mumbai Indians out of the race for the title in 2026.
The win catapulted RCB back into the top four conversation while MI have to reflect on a season of close misses.
after the match Krunal took to Instagram to share a photo of the scarwith the caption: “Some scars are proof it was worth the fight.”
While the debate in the commentary may go on, the night in Raipur will be remembered for two things: Ryan Rickelton’s display of supreme sportsmanship and Krunal Pandya’s legendary act of defiance that silenced the stadium and ultimately the critics.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
11 May 2026 19:06 IST
