Harbhajan Singh faces backlash for 'sexist' remark on Anushka Sharma, Athiya Shetty

Harbhajan Singh was asked by several users on social media to apologise for his 'sexist' remarks on Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty. (Image credit: AFP)

Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who was one of the Hindi commentators of the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia on Sunday, has been facing severe backlash on social media for a 'misogynistic' comment on actors Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty.

Singh appeared to question the actors' understanding of cricket as they watched the game unfold at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad while supporting their husbands Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

"Aur yeh main soch raha tha ki baat cricket ki ho rahi hai ya filmon ki. Kyunki cricket ke barein mein toh janta nahi kitni samajh hogi," the former cricketer said during the live telecast when the camera panned to Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty chatting in the stadium. It roughly translates to: "I wonder whether they are talking about cricket or films because I am not sure how much knowledge they have on cricket."

Harbhajan Singh, made a rather 'misogynistic' remark where he questioned the actresses' understanding of cricket.

Harbhajan, during the commentary, said, "Aur yeh main soch raha tha ki baat cricket ki ho rahi hai ya filmon ki. Kyunki filmon ke barein mein toh janta nahi kitni… pic.twitter.com/2gCjnj6QSO

— Mahua Moitra Fans (@MahuaMoitraFans) November 19, 2023

Clips of this part of the commentary has been doing rounds on social media with several users asking Harbhajan Singh to apologise for the comment.

"Whenever I remember yesterday's commentary, I cringe a bit more like what was Harbhajan Singh thinking when he said Athiya and Anushka don't have knowledge about cricket what is this 1800s? God forbid anyone except for men to have knowledge about sports," wrote an X user.

This, however, isn't the first time that Anushka Sharma has been critiqued by former cricketers. In 2020, the actor-wife clapped back at veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar who, during a commentary, said, "Inhone lockdown me to bas Anushka [Sharma] ki bowling ki practice ki hain (Virat has been only practising bowling with Anushka during the lockdown)." The remark was made to criticise Virat Kohli's performance but Anushka Sharma did not appreciate her name being dragged into it.

"That, Mr Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her of her husband's game?" she wrote on Instagram. "I'm sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commentating on the game. Don't you think you should have an equal amount of respect for me and us?”

The actor has not reacted to Harbhajan Singh's comments yet.

Read more: 'Terrible thing to do as host country': Internet slams fans for deserting Ahmedabad stadium