Kuldeep Yadav Slaps Rinku Singh On Live TV After IPL Match, Fans Demand Ban

May, 22 2025

Slap Turns Spotlight Away from Cricket at IPL 2025

Who would have guessed a cricket match would end with the spotlight on something other than the final score? The Arun Jaitley Stadium saw exactly that. Delhi Capitals bowler Kuldeep Yadav found himself at the center of a storm that has little to do with wickets or runs and everything to do with sportsmanship, after cameras caught him slapping Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh following a tense IPL match on April 30.

The drama didn’t happen during a heated on-field exchange, but after the final ball had been bowled and the official handshakes were well underway. KKR had just clinched a hard-fought 14-run victory – a big result for their playoff ambitions. Instead of post-match analysis focused on the run chase, everyone latched onto what happened a few steps away from the presentation ceremony. In a clip now making the rounds on every major social platform, Kuldeep can be seen striking Rinku, not once but twice, right on live television. At first, Rinku looked bewildered. Moments later, anger took over, and what started as a supposedly playful moment quickly turned into a heated verbal exchange.

There’s still no clear audio from the incident—so fans are left to guess what prompted Kuldeep’s actions. Was it banter taken too far, or did something personal spill onto the field? Delhi and Kolkata fans, as well as neutral followers, remain split: some argue the slap was friendly mischief between Indian teammates, while others are adamant that such behavior sets a bad example and simply isn’t acceptable on a cricket field, no matter the relationship.

The backlash came quickly and ferociously. Social media erupted, with hashtags demanding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) take strict action against Kuldeep for what many are calling unprofessional conduct. There’s even talk among fan groups about a possible match-ban, which, in the crucial final stretch of the IPL, would be a tough blow for Delhi Capitals. Given how visible every move is in the digital era, the optics of this incident are damaging, regardless of the cricketers’ intentions.

Ripple Effects for Teams and Tournaments

Behind the viral slap, the realities of the team standings haven’t changed. KKR’s win lifted their hopes, keeping them firmly in contention for a playoff spot as the regular season winds down. Rinku Singh, often hailed as KKR’s game-finisher, played a key role in helping them defend a competitive total against Delhi’s strong lineup.

For Delhi Capitals, it’s now two losses in a row at home—a run nobody in their camp wants this late in the season. Slipping to fourth in the table after back-to-back defeats adds stress not just to the players, but also to the coaching staff and supporters. Instead of making headlines for their cricket, though, Delhi now finds themselves fielding questions about conduct both on and off the pitch.

Incidents like this tend to overshadow the very cricket people tune in for. Every camera angle, every on-field exchange, and every reaction shot is broadcast to millions. The slap might have started as a prank or friendly mischief, but the fallout is anything but lighthearted. The IPL prides itself on bringing together top talent in high-stakes matches, but it’s moments like these that remind players their roles extend well beyond the boundary. Fans expect competitiveness—and basic respect for the game and for each other.

As the league heads toward its final weeks, all eyes are not just on the scoreboard, but on how both the teams and the BCCI respond to this flashpoint. Will Kuldeep face any formal consequences? Can Delhi refocus and rally? And will Rinku bounce back from this awkward episode with the same calm he often shows at the crease? Those questions will shape the headlines as much as the cricket itself, at least for now.