Harbhajan Singh Slammed For Sexist “Understand Cricket” Remarks On Anushka Sharma And Athiya Shetty (Image:X/Akshat, Instagram/harbhajan3)
Former Indian cricketer and commentator Harbhajan Singh’s recent remarks on actresses Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty were doing the round on social media. Anushka Sharma is married to India”s legendary cricketer Virat Kohli and Athiya Shetty to KL Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter. They were seen on the gallery of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad to witness the India-Australia final clash of 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. And Mr Singh was one among the Hindi commentators for the match.
While Mr Singh was discussing on the match as a commentator, the camera panned for a bit to Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty who were sitting among the audience. Mr Singh then made some remarks on their knowledge of cricket, which people found sexist, distasteful, and disrespectful. “This is what I was thinking if they (Anushka and Athiya) are talking about cricket or films…”, said Mr Singh from the commentary box. “Because I don’t know how much understanding they have about cricket”, he added.
The comments were treated misogynistic as he was questioning the actresses” understanding of cricket. As soon as the video got noticed and started appearing on social media, the Hindi commentators faced massive backlash as it was “sexist”. “She is not just Anushka Sharma, but is the wife of Virat Kohli who has created a history very recently”, said one user on X (formerly Twitter). “And mocking someone while so many people watching is absolutely ridiculous”, the user added. “Misogyny is omnipresent, no matter the subject”, wrote another user. Some other person commented that, “the audacity of the commentators to pass a sexist comment on such a broadcast… shame”.
Harbhajan Singh shouldn’t be part of commentary. He is misogynist. @harbhajan_singh
apologise immediately. @AnushkaSharma@theathiyashetty@klrahul@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/2yQOZvV7CR— Dee ♥️ (@deeptantalizing) November 19, 2023
“Harbhajan Singh is a graceless sexist lout for attacking Anushka Sharma & Athiya Shetty”, took Indian journalist Swati Chaturvedi on X. “You have to be blind, blinkered & prejudiced not see see the beautiful relationship Virat & Anushka share. He’s lucky to have such a supportive partner”, she added.
Harbhajan Singh is a graceless sexist lout for attacking Anushka Sharma & Athiya Shetty. You have to be blind, blinkered & prejudiced not see see the beautiful relationship Virat & Anushka share. He’s lucky to have such a supportive partner
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) November 20, 2023
The day was not that good for the team India as they have lost the tournament title to Aussies for six wickets. It was India’s first defeat in the tournament; alas, it came in the final of 2023 the World Cup. The yellow army scored 241/4 with 42 balls left not stroked.
