Murali Kartik faces backlash over on-air “Demise” remark for Priyansh Arya during IPL 2025 Qualifier 2

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Murali Kartik has once again landed in hot water, and this time for his shocking comment that aired live during IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1.

As Murali Kartik was summarizing Punjab Kings’ thrilling chase of 204 runs against Mumbai Indians, the commentator made a shocking remark, saying “after the demise of Priyansh Arya,” referring to the young batter’s dismissal during the thrilling IPL 2025 Qualifier 2.

Murali Kartik under fire for controversial on-air comment in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2

Kartik’s bizarre choice of words immediately triggered a storm on social media as the clip went viral across social media platforms within moments. The former Indian spinner used the word “demise” to describe Priyansh Arya’s wicket, which sparked anger among fans, with many slamming Kartik for using such a grim phrase in a cricket context during a live match.

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Furious cricket fans demanded an apology from Kartik, urging broadcasters to ensure more responsible commentary in the future. Even some fans called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take strict disciplinary action, demanding Kartik’s removal from the commentary panel.

Here's how fans exploded at Murali Kartik:

@BCCI please remove that murali kartik from commentry ..... after priyansh got out ....commentator says ....demise of priyank arya ......if they donno how to spk ..please get rid of them ....shame

— SriAI (@srip_ai) June 1, 2025

Yeaj, I heard Murali Kartik saying that and I was shocked 🤣

— HIREN PRAJAPATI (@HIREN_TWITZ) June 1, 2025

what are you even saying. it was only a wicket, don't kill the guy. who says "after the DEMISE of priyansh arya?" that's an unforgivable slip up by murali kartik @IPL @JioHotstar @BCCI

— P // 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸 (they/them) (@pratzhell) June 1, 2025

Murali Kartik is the absolute worst out there https://t.co/wsePqryYhp

— agam (@EH10x) June 1, 2025

When Murali Kartik said "The demise of Priyansh Arya"#PBKSvMI #PBKSvsMI #MIvPBKS pic.twitter.com/Bk9rLBoeVE

— Shailesh Kumar (@KumarShail794) June 1, 2025

Murali Kartik is such an irritating commentator.

— miles. (@manisayzz) June 1, 2025

murali kartik please stop doing commentry. most irritating and insensitive voice ever!

— Neeche Se Topper (@NeecheSeTopper) June 1, 2025

Removing the likes of Murali Kartik, Sanjay Manjrekar, etc. from the commentary panels should be a priority for @BCCI. These guys absolutely ruin the cricket watching experience everytime. Better to mute than listen to them. How have BCCI not found more Harsha's & Shastri's? https://t.co/yMfAh1iSwM

— Prassang Goyal (@PrassangGoyal) June 2, 2025

Murali Kartik is the worst commentator ever. He does blunders even in basic commentary like calling out players with wrong names and of course he is unbearable to hear. Having said that, demise is a common word used by many commentators all over the world when a batter gets out. https://t.co/1L2lbGBjAw

— 18.5 (@wrist_flick18) June 2, 2025

Murali Kartik really is a fucking moron. #MIvsPBKS

— James Madden (@JamesMa2194) June 1, 2025

Priyansh Arya’s blazing knock was cut short by Ashwani Kumar in Qualifier 2

Earlier, Priyansh Arya was dismissed by Ashwani Kumar on his very first delivery in the second qualifier in Ahmedabad. It was a sharp, short-of-length ball just outside off. Priyansh Arya tried to muscle it to the leg side, but the bat twisted in his hands, and he ended up mistiming it straight to mid-off.

Hardik Pandya made no mistake, taking a brilliant catch, and celebrated with a little dance as Arya walked back to the pavilion after making a quickfire 20 off 10 balls against MI. Priyansh Arya is playing his debut season and has been in great form with the bat for Punjab Kings.

Priyansh Arya has so far made 451 runs with the help of one century and two fifties in the IPL 2025 across 16 innings at a stunning strike rate of 183.33. Priyansh Arya played a key role in PBKS’s reaching the final after 11 years under the inspirational captaincy of Shreyas Iyer.

Read Also: Watch: PBKS co-owner pulls Shreyas Iyer in for a sudden kiss during wild celebrations

Shreyas Iyer’s fiery 87 ends MI’s dreams, powers PBKS to IPL 2025 Final

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer unleashed absolute mayhem in Ahmedabad with a jaw-dropping unbeaten 87, steering his team to a thrilling five-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and storming into the IPL 2025 final. Iyer's fiery knock came in just 41 balls, smashing five fours and eight monstrous sixes as PBKS chased down 204 with an over to spare against the MI.

With this victory, Punjab not only ended MI’s campaign but also booked a blockbuster June 3 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Ahmedabad. This will be PBKS’ first IPL final since 2014, while back-to-back finals for Iyer as captain after lifting the trophy with KKR in 2024.

The upcoming IPL 2025 final between RCB and PBKS is their fourth meeting this season. While RCB won two of the previous three games, both in Chandigarh, including a dominant eight-wicket win in Qualifier 1, PBKS won one battle, but this time they will fight for their maiden IPL crown.

Read Also: Ricky Ponting claims BCCI’s disrespect fueled Shreyas Iyer’s rise to greatness