Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, a key member of the 2011 Cricket World Cup-winning team was slammed for making "misogynistic" remarks about the wives of talismanic batter Virat Kohli and his national teammate K.L. Rahul.
While commenting on the match, Harbhajan questioned Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty's cricket knowledge.
For the unversed, Anushka Sharma is married to Virat Kohli and Athiya Shetty is the wife of K.L. Rahul.
For the unversed, Anushka Sharma is married to Virat Kohli and Athiya Shetty is the wife of K.L. Rahul.
"This is what I was thinking if they are talking about cricket or films. Because I don't know how much they understand cricket," Harbhajan said to a fellow commentator as the camera zoomed towards Anushka and Athiya.
However, Harbhajan's remarks angered netizens online who immediately demanded an apology from the retired India spinner.
"Harbhajan Singh needs to think before he speaks. What the hell do you mean by saying that Anushka and Athiya will be talking about movies and not about cricket because they have little understanding of the game. Their spouses play cricket so why won't they have the knowledge?" an Indian cricket admirer wrote on Twitter, now X.
"Harbhajan commenting about Anushka and Athiya about not having enough knowledge of cricket and portraying them as gossip mongers. Who knows how much Geeta Basra knows about cricket? Disgraceful," another added.
"Harbhajan Singh is a graceless sexist lout for attacking Anushka Sharma & Athiya Shetty. You have to be blind, blinkered & prejudiced not to see the beautiful relationship Virat & Anushka share. He's lucky to have such a supportive partner," a third commented.