Punjab Kings speedster Arshdeep Singh has once again found himself at the centre of a social media storm, this time after an online exchange with a supporter on Snapchat escalated into a wider backlash. The left-arm pacer, who currently tops India’s wicket charts in T20 internationals, has built a strong public profile through vlogs and cricket-related posts featuring him alongside fellow players. Yet the controversy flared when a screenshot of his reply to a fan circulated online, drawing sharp reactions from sections of the IPL audience.
What amplified the uproar was the timing. Only a day earlier, Arshdeep had landed in hot water for calling Tilak Varma “Andhere” (Dark one) in a video recorded ahead of Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians. In the latest incident, a fan urged Arshdeep to stop using the Punjab Kings name in IPL conversations, alleging that the comments were causing embarrassment. Arshdeep’s response, shared in writing, hit back at the criticism—“What have you done for Punjab, Singh saab? People who still ask family for chips and cold drink money are now advising me on Punjab?”—and it was this retort that quickly went viral.
Arshdeep’s online activity has not been under scrutiny for the first time. In the recent past, reports claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had asked him to rein in his vlogging. During the IPL, he had posted clips from matches as well as from his travels, and it was alleged that the authorities were not satisfied with the extent of his content. With the new Snapchat flare-up adding fuel, the debate around what players share publicly has returned to the spotlight.
The issue also sparked a strong reaction from former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who called for action against Arshdeep. Sivaramakrishnan pushed for a ban for the fast bowler and went further, suggesting that Arshdeep should be paid on a “pro-rata basis.” He wrote on X: “Nobody believed me. Everyone mocked and trolled me. Arshdeep should be banned this season and should be paid on a pro rata basis. The players today should be hit where it hurts the most. I am sure I would be trolled again.”
While the conversation outside the field continued, the on-field story belonged to Tilak Varma, whose batting carried Mumbai Indians to victory. Varma struck an impressive unbeaten 75 as the visitors successfully chased down a target of 201 against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Thursday.
Mumbai Indians finished the chase with one ball remaining, losing just four wickets in a high-scoring contest that swung decisively in the middle overs. Earlier, Punjab Kings had put runs on the board as they reached 200 for 8 in their 20 overs. The innings was powered by a half-century from Prabhsimran Singh, while Azmatullah Omarzai provided a late burst of momentum with a cameo that helped Punjab set an imposing total.
