Former Chennai Super Kings cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has drawn widespread criticism for an inappropriate comment made during the Indian Premier League match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians. While commentating, Badrinath suggested—apparently in jest—that MI wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton should let Krunal Pandya “die on the pitch” rather than help him, sparking outrage among fans and pundits alike.
Pandya battled severe cramps throughout his match-winning knock of 73 off 47 balls in Raipur. The all-rounder struggled with muscle cramps that started in his calf, spread to his glutes, and eventually reached his back, forcing him to lie flat on the pitch while physios rushed to assist him. Despite the pain, he anchored RCB’s chase of 167 against Mumbai Indians, leading his team to a two-wicket victory with the innings being widely praised for its grit.
Opposition wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton was seen helping Pandya stretch and even crouched beside him to check on his condition, a gesture that won hearts across social media. However, Badrinath’s commentary struck a discordant note. On a Tamil broadcast, he reportedly quipped that Rickelton should simply leave Pandya to suffer so MI could gain an advantage—a remark many deemed tasteless and out of line.
What Krunal Pandya Said About the Cramps
After the match, Pandya admitted the cramps took a serious toll. “I was cramping a lot. It started from my calf, went to my glutes, went to my back, everywhere,” he said with a smile. “I mean, not often I bat that long, right? So it was something new for me. But at the end of the day, what matters is those two points. I’ll take care of a lot of fluids and food, and hopefully it will be better in the next game.”
Why Badrinath’s Comment Drew Anger
While banter is part of cricket commentary, timing and context are critical. Making a joke about letting a player in distress suffer—even in jest—has no place on a public platform. Critics argue Badrinath should apologize publicly to Pandya, and that broadcaster Star Sports may issue a warning to the former CSK batter for his lack of sensitivity.
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