New Delhi: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh got into a war of words with fans on social media platform X after being criticised for his poor commentary in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Several fans targeted Harbhajan and other Hindi commentators on the social media platform X over their commentary during the season opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday, March 28.
Harbhajan went on an abusive rant on X and was involved in a heated exchange with a few accounts, who criticised the standard of Hindi commentary during the IPL 2026 opener. It all started when a cricket meme account posted a picture of Harbhajan in the commentary box alongside Virender Sehwag and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
The user took a dig at the trio for their poor on-air analysis, while praising West Indies great Ian Bishop for his knowledge about young and rising Indian cricketers. The post didn’t go down well with Harbhajan, who decided to call out the user. Comparing him to a dog, Harbhajan posted a famous Hindi idiom.
Hathi chale bazar, kutte bhaunke hazar. Chal nikal yaha se Tomy. Not homie (Thousands of dogs bark at the elephant when he walks past them),” Harbhajan wrote in Hindi, before asking the user to shut up and leave.
The meme account responded to the former India spinner, further intensifying the controversy. The user brought up Harbhajan’s part rivalry with former India spinner R Ashwin, claiming his career declined due to jealousy with his teammates. He claimed Harbhajan’s commentary career might face a similar fate.
“Ashwin se jealousy tera career kha gayi ab commentary pe dhyan de warna yaha se bhi retire hona padega. Turbanator” nahi commentary ke liye “terror” hai tu (Your career declined due to your jealousy with R Ashwin. Now focus on commentary, or else you will have to retire from this field too. You aren’t the “Turbinator”; for commentary, you’re a “Terror.”), wrote the user, further provoking Harbhajan.
Harbhajan didn’t hold back and went on to respond with an abusive tweet. “Kutte ko ghee nahi pachta aur tere jaise lo**u ko jawab hajam nahi hua. Chal be Tomy,” he replied in Hindi.
Harbhajan also targeted other trolls on X, responding to their tweets on the social media platform. Another fan account posted a picture of Harbhajan, Sehwag and Aakash Chopra in commentary with the caption – “these three clowns” followed by laughing emojis. Harbhajan decided to shut the troll but went overboard with his response.
“Inme se ek ko papa chun le (Choose one of them as your father),” he wrote, replying to the tweet.
Harbhajan Singh criticised for his offensive language
Harbhajan’s comments to the trolls on X drew mixed reactions from fans as many criticised the former India spinner for his offensive language. Many argued Harbhajan should not have used abusive language and claimed that public figures should maintain restraint on social media. Harbhajan is part of the commentary panel in the ongoing IPL 2026 along with several other former India cricketers like Sehwag, Chopra, Sidhu and R Ashwin, among others.