India and Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh has been embroiled in fresh controversy after a Snapchat exchange with a fan sparked yet another round of backlash on social media. The left-arm fast bowler, who has already faced criticism this IPL season for remarks in viral videos, is once again under scrutiny for his online behaviour.
Arshdeep Singh made racist comments on Tilak Varma.
Arshdeep called Tilaka “andhera” (darkness) and compared his skin tone to that of Naman Dhir.
Tilak Varma responded maturely and said, “I will not support it. Let’s concentrate on tomorrow’s match.” pic.twitter.com/VPX9hkg6nP— EpicCommentsTelugu (@EpicCmntsTelugu) May 14, 2026
Widely regarded as one of the most popular young cricketers among fans for his candid vlogs and dressing room interactions, Arshdeep has endured a turbulent few weeks off the cricket field. The latest controversy erupted after screenshots of his response to a fan started circulating online.
The incident occurred a few days later Arshdeep was criticized for his remarks directed at Tilak Varma in a video recorded before Punjab Kings’ IPL clash against Mumbai Indians. In the clip, Arshdeep points the camera towards Tilak and says, “Oh, Andher, sunblock lagaaya?” which roughly translates to “Hey Dark One, did you put on sunscreen?”
The remark immediately drew criticism from fans online, many of whom accused the Indian pacer of making racist comments about Tilak Varma’s skin tone. The video quickly spread across social media platforms, leading to widespread outrage.
In the same video, Arshdeep then pointed to Mumbai Indians abusing Naman Dhir and said in Punjabi, “Aa dekh, aa hai Punjab da asli noor, te aa hai nakli,” which translates to “Look, this is the real glow of Punjab and this is fake.”
The backlash intensified after a fan responded to the controversy by calling on Arshdeep to stop using Punjab’s name in the IPL, claiming his actions were bringing shame to Punjab Kings supporters.
Arshdeep’s reply on Snapchat left many users stunned.
“What have you done for Punjab, Singh? People who keep asking the family for chips and money for cold drinks are now giving me advice about Punjab?” Arshdeep wrote in response. Screenshot from Arshdeep Singh’s Snapchat
Screenshots of the exchange quickly went viral, with several users criticizing the pacer for his tone and demeanor. Many fans questioned why the senior Indian international would engage in public spats with supporters on social media when he had already faced criticism for previous incidents.
Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan reacted strongly to the controversy and called for disciplinary action against Arshdeep Singh.
“No one believed me. Everyone mocked and trolled me. Arshdeep should be banned this season and paid pro rata. Players should be hit where it hurts the most today. I’m sure I’d be trolled again,” Sivaramakrishnan wrote on X.
Sivaramakrishnan recently claimed that he himself experienced racism during his playing days for India, adding weight to his reaction to the viral videos involving Arshdeep.
This isn’t the only instance in recent weeks that the Punjab Kings pacer has faced criticism over comments related to a fellow cricketer’s appearance. Another Snapchat video featuring Gujarat Titans batsman Sai Sudharsan has also gone viral on social media.
In the clip, Arshdeep is heard recording the video while pointing the camera at Sai Sudharsan before saying, “Wait, let me clean the camera lens, it can’t capture Sai.” He then added: “Your lips are not visible in the video.”
The repeated controversies have sparked a larger debate about player responsibility and behavior on social media during the IPL season. While neither Arshdeep Singh nor the Punjab Kings have yet issued an official statement on the matter, criticism continues to mount online, with several former cricketers and fans demanding stricter action from the authorities.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
15 May 2026 15:05 IST
