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Arshdeep Singh’s activities on social media are under the scanner, with fans slamming him. In the recent past, the BCCI instructed him to stop vlogging to avoid controversies after his clip showed Yuzvendra Chahal vaping inside the aircraft. He posts videos from matches and travels in the ongoing 19th season, but the officials are not pleased. He was accused of making a racist remark after he called Tilak Varma Andhere ahead of the PBKS vs MI match. A fan urged him to stop using the Punjab Kings’ name after the franchise’s defeats “What have you done for Punjab, Singh saab?  People like you take money from parents for chips and cold drinks, and now advising me on Punjab?” Arshdeep responded.

Surprisingly, the team management of the Punjab Kings didn’t send any player or members of the support staff for the pre-match press conference ahead of the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Instead, head of sports science Andrew Leipus spoke to the media.

“I don’t follow social media. I know there has been a bit of chatter going on behind the scenes. Arsh is fine in terms of behaviour. He hasn’t been impacted by what has been said or written. He gives his best on the field. We have been working together for sometime and looking at his body and some of the restrictions, his performances have been up and down. He is a winner for us,” Leipus told reporters in the pre-match press conference.

“He is feeling better in the last few weeks. Overall, there is no problem with his behaviour and attitude. He is a loud character in the dressing room. He is calm and that’s a good sign for us,” he added.

However, Leipus agreed that the current generation of cricketers is always busy on their phones.

“I am old and don’t spend a lot of time on social media. You can check my name. I am the wrong to be asking such questions. You can look guys of all the teams, they are busy on their phones in the team buses. They don’t talk to each a lot and that’s a problem. I have got kids and I am trying to keep them away from mobiles,” he explained.

“On the other hand, you have got commercial activities going on but you have to find the right balance. ICC did the best thing by taking the phones away. When we return to the dressing rooms, the guys start talking again. It is not an issue when you are in the team environment. It becomes an issue when you go outside. I have heard stories but I don’t have time to pay attention to that. I think it needs to be addressed.”