Indian cricket’s 12-year-long wait extended to next four more years after they lost to Australia in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams played this clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It was the only match Rohit Sharma’s men lost in the tournament after their unbeaten streak of 10 consecutive wins in the tournament, including the semi-final against New Zealand.
Apart from this, the families of Indian cricketers were also there in the stadium to witness the summit clash of the ODI World Cup 2023. Amongst these, star Bollywood actresses, Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty, the wives of former Indian skipper Virat Kohli and star batter KL Rahul. There came a moment in the match when the camera focused on Anushka and Athiya during the match and the Hindi commentators on Star Sports started talking about the duo as they were sitting together while KL and Virat were batting there in the middle for India.
“The family members have superstition. Till the time these two are playing they will sit at one place,” said one of the three commentators who were present there in the commentary box.
Here's the video of what Harbhajan Singh said:
@harbhajan_singh What do you mean that the ladies understand cricket or not?? Please apologise immediately. @AnushkaSharma@theathiyashetty@klrahul@imVkohli#INDvsAUSfinal #INDvAUS #ICCWorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/8gKlG8WvJP
— Arunodaya Singh (@ArunodayaSingh3) November 19, 2023
“Yahi main soch raha tha ki baat cricket ki ho rahi hogi ya phir films ki..kyunki cricket ke baare mein toh main jaanta nahi kitni samajh hogi." (This is what I was thinking if they are talking about cricket or films..Because I don't know how much they understand cricket),” replied the former World Cup-winning Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
However, the comments from a former cricketer and a professional individual like Harbhajan Singh didn’t go down well with the cricket fans, and they also questioned Harbhajan Singh for passing sexist remarks on air.
“Harbhajan Singh, What do you mean that the ladies understand cricket or not? Please apologize immediately,” wrote a user who also shared the particular video of Harbhajan’s remarks on Anushka Sharma and Athiya Shetty.