New Delhi, 24 March

Former India spinner, Harbhajan Singh faced severe criticism for making comparing English pacer Jofra Archer to a ‘kaali taxi’ on air during Rajasthan Royal’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. 

"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 said during the 18th over of the first innings when SRH batter Heinrich Klaasen smashed the Rajasthan spearhead for consecutive fours.

The comment triggered an uproar on social media, with many demanding the immediate removal of Harbhajan from the IPL commentary panel. The Turbanator, however, hasn't yet issued a clarification or apologised on the matter.

As for the match, the Sunrisers posted a whopping 286 runs on the board, the second-highest total in IPL history, thanks to Ishan Kishan and Travis Head’s exemplary performances, leading their team to a solid 44 run victory. 

This isn’t the first time the AAP Rajya Sabha MP has been at the center of a controversy around racism, both as a victim as well as an alleged instigator. During his time with the Indian cricket, Harbhajan was repeatedly at the receiving end of racist remarks and sledging from opposition teams. He was also at the center of the infamous ‘Monkey-Gate’ during the 2007-2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he allegedly called Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds a “monkey”. Harbhajan denied making the remark, while other Indian cricketers claimed that Symonds misheard Harbhajan, who they said was cursing at the Australian cricketer in Hindi.