Harbhajan Singh under fire for 'racist comments' about Jofra Archer during IPL broadcast

Harbhajan Singh’s ‘kaali taxi’ comment on Jofra Archer during IPL 2025 sparks controversy, drawing backlash.

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Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has sparked controversy after allegedly making a racist remark against England fast bowler Jofra Archer during an IPL 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on March 23.

While commentating in the 18th over, Harbhajan compared Archer’s performance 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 (Like the meter of London’s black taxis, Archer’s meter has also been on the higher side).”

Harbhajan's comments were made on the Hindi version of Star Sports coverage of IPL.

The comment, made when Archer was being hit for consecutive boundaries by Heinrich Klaasen, has drawn sharp criticism on social media. Many users have called for Harbhajan to apologise, while others have demanded that the IPL take disciplinary action.

"Harbhajan Singh has called Jofra Archer a black taxi driver with a high meter value just now in the Hindi commentary. This is vile and disgusting. Please ban him," wrote a user on X.

Harbhajan Singh has called Jofra Archer a black taxi driver with a high meter value just now in the Hindi commentary. This is vile and disgusting. Please ban him.

— ` (@FourOverthrows) March 23, 2025

England mein kaali taxi kar meter bohot tez chalta hai aaj Jofra ka meter bhi waisa hi chal rha??? Get this racist Harbhajan Singh out of commentary 😭

— chanakya fc (@The_Sleigher) March 23, 2025

Harbhajan, who has previously been at the centre of controversies regarding racial remarks, has yet to issue a statement or respond to the backlash.

Many users on X also asked Star Sports, the BCCI, and ECB to look deeper into the issue. Some fans also called for Harbhajan's removal from his commentary position for the remainder of IPL 2025 season.

Obviously in the UK we get the #IPL2025 world feed so didn’t hear Harbhajan Singh and his awful racist comment about Archer first hand.
However plenty did and it’s time that IPL and Star Sports take a stance and take him off air.

— Erika Morris (@ErikaMorris79) March 23, 2025

Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) has called @JofraArcher a "black London taxi" during live commentary.

Isa Guha was made to apologise on air for her comments about Bumrah. Will the BCCI or Star now ask Harbhajan to apologise live on air? Will the ECB say anything? 💰 #IPL pic.twitter.com/ANGxvsCMlb

— M (@anngrypakiistan) March 23, 2025

In the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a 44-run victory in their IPL 2025 opener at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Ishan Kishan led the charge with a century, helping SRH post 286, the second-highest total in IPL history. Rajasthan Royals, in response, managed 242. Archer, who struggled with the ball, conceded 76 runs in his four-over spell without taking a wicket.