Arshdeep Singh Faces Major Backlash Over Racist Remark Towards Tilak Verma

Punjab Kings (PBKS) pacer Arshdeep Singh found himself in the middle of a controversy after the video of the IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians in Dharamshala on May 14 went viral on social media.

In the video, Arshdeep can be heard saying “Oye and here, sunscreen lagaya?” he was heard saying. (hey dark/dark one, did you wear sunscreen?).

India already has a long history of racism, so the comment sparked strong reactions online. In the viral clip, Tilak looked uncomfortable, which increased the backlash. Many fans interpreted this as a racist/colourist remark targeting Tilak’s skin color and called Arshdeep’s remarks insensitive and immature, while a smaller section defended it as a ‘friendly joke’.

Former Indian cricketer and leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan wrote online: “No one believed me. Everyone mocked and trolled me. Arshdeep should be banned this season and paid proportionately”. Sivaramakrishnan had recently claimed that some of his former teammates in India called him a “dark boy” because of his skin colour.

The controversy continued to grow as Arshdeep later argued with a fan on social media, which reignited the criticism. Following the backlash, a fan sent a message to Arshdeep saying “Punjab ka naam kharab matt karo” (Don’t spoil the image of Punjab) to which Arshdeep replied: “What have you done for Punjab? Are you ashamed, Singh Saab? People who still ask family for money for chips and cold drinks are now giving advice on whether to use that name or not?”

The response spread quickly on social media and sparked outrage among fans, triggering a debate about the Pacer’s online behavior. Soon, Mumbai Indians fans started trolling PBKS and Arshdeep online after Tilak played the winning knock against Punjab in Dharamshala.

After defeating the Punjab kings, MI uploaded a celebratory reel of Tilak on their official Instagram account. The video reportedly begins in complete darkness and then Tilak walks towards the light with multiple mugs in his hands. The line “Andhera Tera Maine Le Liya” from the Channa Mereya song was used in the background. Fans felt that MI’s social media manager was deliberately referencing the controversy through the “andhera” lyric and the dark to light arrangement.

While many fans online called it a revenge post and a masterclass from the manager, MI did not officially address the situation or name Arshdeep directly. This was more of a veiled social media joke that everyone understood.