SRH vs RR: In the second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 44 runs. Batting first, Hyderabad posted a massive total of 286 runs. In response, Rajasthan Royals could only manage 242 runs in their 20 overs, falling short by 44 runs.
Hyderabad’s Explosive Batting Display
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting was nothing short of spectacular. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan played a sensational knock, scoring 106 runs. Alongside him, Travis Head contributed 67 runs, while Nitish Reddy added 30 runs. Thanks to their fiery performances, SRH put up a commanding total of 286 runs, the highest score of IPL 2025 so far.
London me kaali taxi ka meter tez bhaagta hai, Aur yaha pe Archer sahab ka meter bhi tez bhaaga hai – Harbhajan on air
— Rinku (@SahalFan) March 23, 2025
Rajasthan’s Weak Bowling – Jofra Archer Flops
Rajasthan Royals’ bowling unit struggled throughout the match. Their key pacer, Jofra Archer, had an unforgettable outing, conceding 76 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket. This was the most expensive spell ever by any bowler in IPL history. Archer’s lackluster performance disappointed fans, who expressed their frustration on social media.
Harbhajan Singh’s Controversial Comment Creates Uproar
During the match, former cricketer and commentator Harbhajan Singh made a controversial remark that sparked a massive backlash on social media. During the 18th over, when Jofra Archer was bowling to Ishan Kishan, Harbhajan commented:
👉 “The meter of black taxis runs fast in London, and here Archer Sahab’s meter is running fast too.”
As soon as he made this remark, it went viral on social media, with many people calling it a racist comment and demanding Harbhajan’s removal from commentary.
Racism at Peak 😂😂😂😂
Harbhajan Singh Calling Archer Kali Taxi pic.twitter.com/ijdEqFgNbX— B I S W A J E E T (@Biswajeet_2277) March 23, 2025
Fans’ Outrage on Social Media
After Harbhajan’s comment, the hashtag #BanHarbhajan started trending on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
A user named Rinku wrote:
💬 “Comparing Archer’s performance to the meter of a black taxi is racist. Harbhajan should be banned.”
Another user, Erica Morris, wrote:
💬 “It is time for IPL and Star Sports to take a stand and remove Harbhajan Singh from the commentary panel.”
Fans argued that although Archer’s performance was poor, Harbhajan’s on-air comment was insensitive and unacceptable.
Harbhajan Singh has called Jofra Archer a black taxi driver with a high meter value just now in the Hindi commentary. This is vile and disgusting. Please ban him.
— ` (@FourOverthrows) March 23, 2025
Rajasthan’s Faint Chase Efforts
Chasing the mammoth total of 286 runs, Rajasthan Royals’ innings started poorly. However, captain Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel played brilliant half-centuries. Despite their efforts, Rajasthan fell short of the target.
Top scorers for Rajasthan Royals:
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Sanju Samson: 72 runs (41 balls)
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Dhruv Jurel: 58 runs (33 balls)
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Jos Buttler: 36 runs (22 balls)
Despite their efforts, Rajasthan managed only 242 runs in 20 overs and lost the match by 44 runs.
Turning Point: Ishan Kishan’s Blazing Century
The turning point of the match was Ishan Kishan’s destructive century. He single-handedly dismantled Rajasthan’s bowling attack, scoring 106 runs with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, propelling Hyderabad to a massive total.
Obviously in the UK we get the #IPL2025 world feed so didn’t hear Harbhajan Singh and his awful racist comment about Archer first hand.
However plenty did and it’s time that IPL and Star Sports take a stance and take him off air.— Erika Morris (@ErikaMorris79) March 23, 2025
Jofra Archer’s Dismal Spell Becomes the Highlight
Jofra Archer’s disastrous performance became the talking point of the match. Conceding 76 runs in four overs without taking a wicket, it turned out to be the worst spell of his T20 career and the most expensive spell in IPL history.
Fans’ Reactions:
A user wrote:
💬 “I have never seen Archer bowl this poorly. He was completely out of form.”
Another user commented:
💬 “Hyderabad not only defeated Rajasthan but also created history in IPL with this mammoth score.”
Heroes of SRH:
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Ishan Kishan: 106 runs
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Travis Head: 67 runs
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Nitish Reddy: 30 runs
Upcoming Matches:
Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their next match, while Rajasthan Royals will take on Delhi Capitals (DC). With Hyderabad’s record-breaking score, other IPL teams now have a massive challenge to overcome in the tournament.
