India batter Suryakumar Yadav has gotten himself in a bit of a whirl among netizens on social media by calling teammate leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav as “kachra” in the recently concluded 2nd ODI against the West Indies in Barbados, which the West Indies won by 6 wickets to level the series, and set up for a series-decider on Tuesday in Trinidad.
West Indies bowled India out for 181, as the visitors suffered a shocking collapse from 90/0 to 181 all-out.
During West Indies’ chase when Kuldeep Yadav came on to bowl, Suryakumar Yadav, who was standing in the in-field was heard saying “Tu hi hamara Kachra hai”. With this Suryakumar Yadav and wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan had a laugh at the expense of the leg-spinner.
Suryakumar Yadav was referring Kuldeep as “kachra” with reference to the famous cricket-based movie, Aamir Khan’s Lagaan, where Kachra is the name of a character who bowls spin, after being touted as “untouchable”. Fans on social media took this as a casteist angle and blamed Suryakumar Yadav, while indeed, he might have just been referring to Kuldeep Yadav as the golden arm of the team as India needed wickets at that stage.
Pakistani journalist opines on Suryakumar Yadav’s “kachra” comment on Kuldeep
The Pakistani journalist Farid Khan, who often posts about Indian team and Indian players, took this to heart and at length slammed Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan.
For some reason, he also said such behavior could be condoned if the team is winning – as if a player’s behavior should be judged on the team’s winning or losing. (Well, the team has just lost their first ODI to West Indies since December 2019, but it would, and should not have any relation to a player’s words, his behavior, or an opinion on a player’s behavior from a fan, worst of all a journalist).
This Pakistani journalist Farid Khan tweeted: “Didn’t like the way Ishan Kishan or SKY called Kuldeep Yadav ‘Tu mera Kachra hay’ and were laughing around when their team was losing. We know how Kachra was looked down on in that movie Lagaan and how his teammates didn’t want to play with him because of his rank/caste. Kachra still won his team the match, and was really talented.
“This TikTok generation stuff could still be digested if you are winning, but never in losing cause. Ishan was commentating behind the stumps as if the team was doing great. Stuff like ‘Miracle Miracle’ ‘Aaja mere golden arm’ was uncalled for, behave according to the situation of the match, and don’t make fun of your own teammates when the opposition team is already making fun of them. #WIvIND”
Didn't like the way Ishan Kishan or SKY called Kuldeep Yadav 'Tu mera Kachra hay' and were laughing around when their team was losing. We know how Kachra was looked down on in that movie Lagaan and how his teammates didn't want to play with him because of his rank/caste. Kachra… pic.twitter.com/mZan4Bt5mt
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 30, 2023
