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IPL 2026 - Arshdeep Singh calling Tilak Varma 'andhera' is colourism and it is a problem, not banter | ESPNcricinfo
Edition SLCommentThe BCCI, the IPL and the teams are supposed to check this and make the sport a more inclusive spaceArshdeep Singh made an unsubtle reference to Tilak Varma's skin colour • BCCIIf you are not a voracious consumer of cricket content, you are probably wondering about the cryptic post made by Mumbai Indians (MI) a day after they beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala. It shows Tilak Varma, the Player of the Match, emerging from darkness with a Bollywood song in the background, which talks about darkness and light.Let me save you from having to go through the comments on the post. A day before the match, Arshdeep Singh, the PBKS fast bowler, posted on Snapchat a video in which he draws the attention of Tilak by calling him "andhera". Or darkness. An unsubtle reference to the colour of Tilak's skin. He then proceeds to ask Tilak if he has applied sunscreen - because why do dark people need sunscreen or maybe it was a reference to a sunscreen ad Tilak did - and makes him stand next to MI's Naman Dhir. "This is the real glow of Punjab," Arshdeep pronounces.Since then a couple of other possibly similar "jokes" from Arshdeep's social media have been pointed out. Not sure if MI believe their tweet is a "fitting reply", but in case they do, it is not; it only serves to trivialise a comment that, if made on the field of play, could have led to the ejection of Arshdeep. It may be a trivial matter for Arshdeep, perhaps even for Tilak, although he looked awkward and uncomfortable in that video, but it is not trivial at all for those watching.Only recently we heard from L Sivaramakrishnan, legspin prodigy of the 1980s, how being taunted for his skin colour tormented him. Abhinav Mukund, incidentally again from the south, has spoken about this in the past. What might well be friendly banter can have a devastating impact on those watching. And this has been voluntarily put out by Arshdeep on his own social media.Just a minute's detour on why it could be trivial for Arshdeep. Sardars are one of the communities most targeted for their appearance. Forget the post-9/11 mistaking them for Arabs - both wear turbans, you see - in India you can possibly count on one hand normal Sardar characters in a Bollywood movie or popular culture. They are mostly goofballs, some are overzealously patriotic and will most likely be martyred within 15 minutes of their first appearance. You can't show a Sardar in the stands without Ravi Shastri infantilising them with a "balle bal...
r/Cricket on Reddit: Arshdeep calling Tilak 'andhera' is colourism and it is a problem, not banter
If 90% of people are against it, it's amazing. 10% can't be helped. Arshdeep should be banned as well for remaining tournament. ... Meanwhile Tilak is considered one of the most hadsome cricketers. ... It's not even about being handsome or not. It is a colorism.
Arshdeep calling Tilak 'andhera' is colourism and it is a problem, not banter - ESPN
Tilak Varma brings out his familiar celebration BCCI · I went to Guru Harikrishan Public School. I had three classmates in one class, who were nicknamed by their parents, all different people, Kala, Gora and Bhoora. All Sardars. Subtlety is not Punjab's biggest suit. We sometimes just name a child based on their skin colour; formal names come in only when they start going to school. So in a way it is unfair to expect Arshdeep to think this is anything other than friendly banter between two team-mates, possible friends, who know each other better than we will know either of them ever.
Arshdeep calling Tilak 'andhera' is colourism and it is a ...
Sidharth MongaMay 16, 2026, 04:38 PMIf you are not a voracious consumer of cricket content, you are probably wondering about the cryptic post made by Mumbai Indians (MI) a day after they beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala. It shows Tilak Varma, the Player of the Match, emerging from darkness with a Bollywood song in the background, which talks about darkness and light.Let me save you from having to go through the comments on the post. A day before the match, Arshdeep Singh, the PBKS fast bowler, posted on Snapchat a video in which he draws the attention of Tilak by calling him "andhera". Or darkness. An unsubtle reference to the colour of Tilak's skin. He then proceeds to ask Tilak if he has applied sunscreen - because why do dark people need sunscreen or maybe it was a reference to a sunscreen ad Tilak did - and makes him stand next to MI's Naman Dhir. "This is the real glow of Punjab," Arshdeep pronounces.Since then a couple of other possibly similar "jokes" from Arshdeep's social media have been pointed out. Not sure if MI believe their tweet is a "fitting reply", but in case they do, it is not; it only serves to trivialise a comment that, if made on the field of play, could have led to the ejection of Arshdeep. It may be a trivial matter for Arshdeep, perhaps even for Tilak, although he looked awkward and uncomfortable in that video, but it is not trivial at all for those watching.Only recently we heard from L Sivaramakrishnan, legspin prodigy of the 1980s, how being taunted for his skin colour tormented him. Abhinav Mukund, incidentally again from the south, has spoken about this in the past. What might well be friendly banter can have a devastating impact on those watching. And this has been voluntarily put out by Arshdeep on his own social media.Just a minute's detour on why it could be trivial for Arshdeep. Sardars are one of the communities most targeted for their appearance. Forget the post-9/11 mistaking them for Arabs - both wear turbans, you see - in India you can possibly count on one hand normal Sardar characters in a Bollywood movie or popular culture. They are mostly goofballs, some are overzealously patriotic and will most likely be martyred within 15 minutes of their first appearance. You can't show a Sardar in the stands without Ravi Shastri infantilising them with a "balle balle". Look only as far as Navjot Sidhu, who continues to be a caricature despite a detour into serious political life.You might find it egregious that a man fr...
