Shikhar Dhawan Shahid Afridi controversy
New Delhi, April 29 — Cricketers may have retired from the field, but their words often carry as much weight as their shots once did. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has once again landed himself in hot water — this time not over a bat, but over bitter words aimed at the Indian Army. And standing up in defense of the forces was none other than India’s former opener Shikhar Dhawan.
The controversy started when Afridi, speaking to Pakistan’s Sama TV in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, launched a stinging attack on India’s armed forces. “Even a firecracker goes off in Kashmir, and they blame Pakistan,” he said mockingly. “You have eight lakh soldiers deployed there, and still these things happen. That shows how ineffective your forces are.”
The comment triggered outrage, with many accusing the former cricketer of exploiting a tragic situation for cheap political shots. But it was Dhawan’s response that stood out — sharp, composed, and straight from the heart.
“You lost in Kargil too,” Dhawan reminded Afridi in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “How much lower will you fall? Instead of making baseless comments, why don’t you focus on your own country’s progress? We are extremely proud of our Indian Armed Forces. Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Jai Hind!”
While Afridi might have expected a war of words, what followed next shocked many. In a tone that critics described as “disgusting mockery,” Shahid Afridi posted a video wearing an olive-green army-style t-shirt and holding a cup of tea. With a smirk on his face, he said, “Forget about winning or losing. Come, Shikhar, let’s have some tea.” He then added, “It’s fantastic.”
The words might seem casual, even humorous, to the uninformed. But for millions of Indians, that phrase — “Fantastic tea” — instantly brought back memories of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who had been captured by Pakistan during the 2019 Balakot air strikes. His calm and composed response while in custody, saying “The tea is fantastic,” had become a symbol of Indian bravery and restraint.
Afridi’s comment, netizens say, wasn’t a coincidence. “It’s not just about tea,” wrote one user on social media. “It’s about mocking a national hero. And that’s where Shahid Afridi crossed the line.”
Across India, citizens and celebrities alike rallied behind Dhawan. Former players, army veterans, and thousands of fans applauded the cricketer for his unapologetic patriotism. “There’s a line between banter and disrespect,” said a former Indian Air Force officer. “Afridi has no business commenting on the capabilities of our forces, especially given Pakistan’s track record.”
Indeed, for many, Afridi’s recent remarks seem to be rooted in frustration more than anything else. India’s decisive military victories — including the Kargil conflict — remain sore spots for many in Pakistan. “This isn’t the first time he’s made irresponsible statements,” a senior journalist from Delhi remarked. “But the timing, right after a terror attack, and the mockery of Abhinandan — that’s what has deeply angered people.”
As of now, Shahid Afridi has not issued any apology or clarification. But the damage is already done. While sports should ideally bring people together, episodes like these only deepen divides.
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The Shikhar Dhawan Shahid Afridi controversy erupted after Afridi insulted the Indian Army post the Pahalgam attack. Dhawan responded strongly, reminding him of Kargil and defending national pride
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