Vikrant Gupta slammed for mocking Fakhar Zaman’s name on YouTube show

Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta has come under fire for allowing disrespectful remarks about Pakistani opening batsman Fakhar Zaman during an analysis on his YouTube show.

While discussing Pakistan’s Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka, one of the invited analysts shifted the debate toward the pronunciation of Fakhar’s name and made vulgar insinuations. Instead of steering the conversation back, Gupta joined in, debating the pronunciation in a provocative tone that carried double meanings aimed at ridiculing the player.

Despite a female panelist clarifying the correct pronunciation of Fakhar’s name, both men continued their exchange, sparking backlash once the clip went viral on Indian social media. Viewers slammed Gupta for mocking the Pakistani cricketer rather than focusing on his performance.

Gupta had previously opposed India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy matches hosted in Pakistan. Yet, he personally visited Lahore and Karachi after receiving official permits and publicly acknowledged the hospitality he received from Pakistanis.

However, he continued to maintain a negative stance against Pakistan despite those experiences.

These bunch of clowns call themselves journalists & look how they fukk sports journalism everyday. pic.twitter.com/5UdiIZMi4F

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) September 23, 2025

Can't belive these clowns actually did a whole segment on Fakhar Zaman's first name.

I thought this was disrespecting the cricketer. Random provocation and ugly https://t.co/vh7b2W1PgQ

— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) September 23, 2025