Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has found himself in hot water once again, this time for a sharp social media exchange that has sparked fresh controversy. The Punjab Kings bowler, already under scrutiny for a recent comment about teammate Tilak Varma, responded aggressively to a fan's criticism about his IPL franchise affiliation.
The latest incident unfolded when a screenshot of an alleged Snapchat conversation went viral. In it, a fan had reportedly tagged Arshdeep and suggested removing "Punjab" from the franchise's name, claiming the player was embarrassing the state. The pacer didn't hold back, firing off a blunt reply: "What have you done for Punjab? That you are feeling embarrassed, Singh saab? People who still ask family for chips and cold drinks money are now advising whether to use the name or not?"
This response has reignited debate over the bowler's online behavior, which has been a growing concern for cricket authorities. The timing couldn't be worse, as it comes on the heels of another controversy involving Arshdeep's alleged remark about Mumbai Indians' Tilak Varma during a video recorded around Punjab's IPL 2026 clash.
In the viral clip, Arshdeep was reportedly heard saying, "Oye Andhere, sunscreen lagaaya?" — a comment many interpreted as referring to Tilak's skin tone. The backlash was swift and severe, with former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan leading calls for strict action. "Nobody believed me. Everyone mocked and trolled me. Arshdeep should be banned this season and should be paid on a pro rata basis," Sivaramakrishnan wrote on social media.
The veteran spinner also recalled painful memories from his own playing days, alleging he faced racial taunts from teammates. He shared an incident during India's tour of Pakistan in the 1980s, where a teammate reportedly mocked a birthday cake arranged by Sunil Gavaskar, saying, "You ordered the right colour cake. Such a dark chocolate cake for a dark boy."
Arshdeep's online activity has been under increasing scrutiny in recent months. Reports suggest the BCCI had previously advised the young pacer to be more mindful of his social media presence. With these back-to-back controversies, the pressure is mounting for the board to take decisive action, as fans and former players alike demand accountability from the talented but controversial bowler.