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, 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.

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.