A heated situation played out during the opening match of the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, but it did not happen on the field. Actually, Hindi vs Tamil debate broke out live on air between Sanjay Bangar and Varun Aaron.
Sanjay Bangar and Varun Aaron’s on-air Hindi vs Tamil debate during India vs New Zealand 1st ODI stuns fans
A viral moment was seen in the commentary box of the first ODI match being played between India and New Zealand in Vadodara. It all started with former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron, and it eventually turned into an on-air commentary controversy by former batting coach Sanjay during the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI.
This incident happened during the 11th over of New Zealand’s innings. New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls had settled early and stitched a solid 50-run partnership, putting India under early pressure in the opener of the three-match ODI series in Vadodara on January 11.
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Watching the situation, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul was seen giving advice to off-spinner Washington Sundar from behind the stumps. At this point, Aaron suggested that Washington Sundar might not have understood the message properly as his Hindi is not very strong, as KL Rahul was speaking to him in Hindi.
Jatin Sapru intervened as soon as the language controversy went live
This started a heated argument in the commentary box. Sanjay Bangar did not agree with Aaron’s idea and felt that he was trying too hard to save Sundar. After this the discussion took a strange turn when Aron laughed it off. It is noteworthy that Aaron is also a resident of Chennai.
Meanwhile, Aarons pointed out that if they spoke in English, New Zealand’s batsmen would also understand it, suggesting they only had the local language to use. As the debate heated up, Jatin Sapru tried to calm the matter between Sanjay Bangar and Aaron by reminding everyone that “there is only one language of cricket.”
Here’s how the Hindi vs Tamil debate between Bangar and Aaron started
Varun Aaron: I think Washington Sundar might not have heard properly because his Hindi is not very strong and KL Rahul was talking to him in Hindi.
Sanjay Bangar: I don’t completely agree with you, Varun. I think you’re trying too hard to defend Sundar in this situation.
Varun Aaron (laughing): I wasn’t about to defend anyone. Washington doesn’t really know Hindi very well, but KL Rahul can talk to him a little in Tamil.
Also Read: Shubman Gill prays to God that India win the toss immediately against New Zealand in Vadodara; video broke the internet
Sanjay Bangar: South Indians mostly focus on their regional languages, but Hindi is a very important language as it is the national language.
WATCH: Viral on-air exchange
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 11 January 2026
Harshit Rana ends Conway-Nicholls party in Vadodara
Talking about the match, India’s young fast bowler Harshit Rana managed to provide crucial breakthroughs for the hosts as he dismissed both the openers, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, while New Zealand’s score stood at 126/2 at the time of going to press.
Conway and Nicholls both scored brilliant fifties to give the tourists a great start in the first ODI against India in Vadodara on Sunday.