New Delhi: Ex-Indian cricketer Ashok Malhotra recently landed himself in trouble after making controversial remarks about Assamese people while doing commentary during an ongoing Sayed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game.
It all happened after the Assamese team handed over a crushing defeat to Bengal in the pre-quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Tuesday.
After Bengal’s shocking loss at the hands of Assam, Malhotra, who was a part of the Commentary panel, made a shocking statement on Live television and said, ” Humare Zamane me Assam ke team ko second class citizen mana jata that, they were defeated easily”(During my young days, the player of Assam’s team was considered as Second-class citizens)
Within a matter of hours, Malhotra’s disparaging words for the Assamese team went viral on the internet and netizens started mercilessly slamming him for being a racist person.
Ashok Malhotra’s Apology
Following the backlash, Malhotra took to his Twitter (Now X) and wrote an unconscious apology note for the objectionable words he said during Assam vs Bengal’s game on Tuesday.
I apologise profusely if I have hurt Assam people’s sentiments with my comments during the Assam v Bengal game last evening. I am sorry. It was totally unintentional & was trying to speak about their progress. I regret it and give an unconditional apology.
— Ashok Malhotra (@AshokMalhotra57) November 1, 2023
In his apology message, the former Indian cricketer wrote, “I apologize profusely if I have hurt Assam people’s sentiments with my comments during the Assam v Bengal game last evening. I am sorry. It was totally unintentional & was trying to speak about their progress. I regret it and give an unconditional apology.”
Riyan Parag’s Response to Ashok’s Remarks
Meanwhile, during the Assam vs Bengal clash, Assam’s skipper Riyan Parag smashed his 7th successive half-century (50* off 31 balls ) and helped his team beat Bengal convincingly with 8 Wickets.
Post his fifty, Parag, who seemed clearly pissed by Malhotra’s remark about Assamese people, shifted his attention towards the Commentry box and used hand gestures to tell him that Asaam’s performance in the particular game has been way superior then the Bengal’s team. A video of the same is now going viral on the internet.
Riyan Parag celebration mann.
He fucking just said, these guy’s aren’t on my level. I am fucking couple level ahead of them 😭😭😭
7 Half Centuries Marne Ka Ghamand Hai 🗿🤡☠️#RiyanParag #SMAT2023 #SyedMushtaqAliTrophy #KeralaBlasters pic.twitter.com/pOzcQRYkXH
— Shivam Shukla (@Shukla_j_shivam) November 1, 2023
Asaam’s historical Victory against Bengal
Bengal ke ballebaaz dhoond na paaye suraag,🔍
Jab spin se chakma 😵💫 degaye Riyan Parag 🔥Keep watching the Quarterfinals action from the #SyedMushtaqAliTrophy LIVE on #JioCinema & #Sports18 🙌#SMATonJioCinema #SMATonSports18 #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/qn3uptem7Y
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) October 31, 2023
Riding high on the spectacular bowling performance of their captain Riyan Parag (2/23) and Akash Sengupta (3/29), Asaam kept Bengal’s team on backfoot throughout the game and Restricted them to a small score of 8/138 in 20 overs.
While chasing, Assam’s skipper Parag once again led his team from the front and made his them achieve the target with 13 balls remaining and 8 wickets to spare.
