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‘What The Hell Was That’, Karthik Digs A Big Hole For Himself With His Sexist Comment
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Only last week Dinesh Karthik made his commentary debut and became a huge fan favourite for his analytical skills during the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand.
Many described his understanding of the game as a breath of fresh air which made them fall in love with him.
Like any other sports, no two days are the same and athletes have to start from the scratch every single day, because one poor outing and you are done.
Full clip pic.twitter.com/FuV6qd3k99
— Rachel Romain (@RERomain) July 1, 2021
Karthik, who was being hailed as the next big thing in the broadcasting industry, dug a deep hole for himself after making a sexist comment while on air during the third ODI between England and Sri Lanka on Thursday.
The former KKR skipper was trying to explain how most batsmen don’t tend to like their own bats, and always find others’ equipment more reliable. While that was fine, he went a step too far ahead and used a controversial analogy to make his point, which turned many people against him.
“Batsman and not liking bats, they just go hand in hand. Most of the batters don’t seem to like their bats. They either like another person’s bat,” Karthik said.
“Bats are like neighbour’s wife, they always feel better,” he added, which left many people disappointed.
@DineshKarthik take a bow🏻🏻 Brilliant commentary I can imagine @felixwhite and @gregjames applauding right now #tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover pic.twitter.com/SLD4kxIB2n
— Jon Moss (@Jon_Moss_) July 1, 2021
Kartik was immediately called out for his sexist and misogynistic comments by countless users on social media who expected better from a cricketer of his stature and demanded an apology.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, DK said “Bats are like…a neighbour’s wife. They always feel better.”
Unnecessary and quite a disrespectful comment comparing anyone’s wife / a woman to a bat. https://t.co/m3X51FsY7o
— Tina Tengra 🏻♀️ (@tinatengra07) July 2, 2021
why is everyone hailing Dinesh Karthik as a great commentator for his sexist and cringe comment comparing a married woman to a bat wtf is wrong with people????
— arundhati (@uwuzuumaki) July 2, 2021
“Bats are like a neighbour’s wife. They always feel better.”
WTAF?! 🤬 pic.twitter.com/E8emRa5RUZ
— Rachel Romain (@RERomain) July 1, 2021
Humor and opinions are subjective. I felt Dinesh Karthik’s comments are in poor taste. But since he built this image of most knowledgeable and likeable commentator with stylish outfits, I feel he’ll get away easily. Anyone else would’ve found themselves in trouble.
— Prakash (@Prakash1049) July 2, 2021
Dinesh Karthik clearly not keen to have his Sky contract renewed … pic.twitter.com/SYbEKH0Sae
— Jason Mellor (@jmelloruk1) July 1, 2021
Dinesh Karthik? What the hell was that?
— Kanav Bali (@Concussion__Sub) July 1, 2021
— Kartik O (@KOCricket528) July 1, 2021
Hello @DineshKarthik that neighbour’s wife comparison yesterday on mic was absolute cringe. Expected better of you King.
— Sunny (@ewyikesed) July 2, 2021
Dinesh Karthik said what on the microphone?
— Adam Sutherland (@ADSutherland_) July 1, 2021
While the majority of the commentary panel comprises former cricketers, Karthik’s inclusion as a commentator for the WTC final came as a surprise to many but he did full justice to the role providing great insights to the game as a current player.
Apart from lending his voice, Karthik made headlines for providing Indian fans with the weather updates from the Ageas Bowl Stadium. On top of that, his sledging of former England captain Nasser Hussain inside the commentary box on Day 2 of the WTC final also made him an instant fan favourite.
© Instagram/Dinesh Karthik
No matter how much the fans loved him a few days back, there is no way to defend or justify his sexist analogy.
Karthik’s comments also highlight the true face of the male-chauvinistic society that we are currently living in where people find it funny to compare women to some object, like a cricket bat in this particular incident, and still have the guts to come and defend it, saying it just a ‘mere joke’.
It is rightly said, words are mightier than swords and it makes even more sense in today’s world of social media and by now, even Karthik must have realised that words can do more harm.
While he can’t take his words back, our only advice to him would be to render an unconditional apology and think twice before saying anything moving forward.