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A heated moment unfolded 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. In fact, a Hindi vs Tamil debate broke out live between Sanjay Bangar and Varun Aaron.
Sanjay Bangar and Varun Aaron’s on-air debate between Hindi and Tamil during IND’s first ODI against New Zealand stuns fans
The first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara witnessed a viral moment in the commentary box. It all started with former Indian pacer Varun Aaron, and it was eventually turned into an on-air commentary line by former batting coach Sanjay during the 1st ODI IND vs NZ.
The incident took place during New Zealand’s 11th innings. New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls had already settled in and added a solid 50-run partnership, putting India under pressure from the start of the three-match ODI series in Vadodara on January 11.
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Given the situation, Indian keeper-batsman KL Rahul was seen giving advice to off-spinner Washington Sundar behind the stumps. At that point, Aaron suggested that Washington Sundar may not have understood the message well because his Hindi was not very strong, since KL Rahul was speaking to him in Hindi.
Jatin Sapru weighs in as language row explodes live
This sparked a heated exchange in the comments area. Sanjay Bangar disagreed with Aaron’s point of view and felt that he was trying too hard to protect Sundar. The discussion then took an awkward turn when Aaron laughed about it. Notably, Aaron also hails from Chennai.
Meanwhile, Aaron pointed out that if they spoke in English, even the New Zealand batters would understand it, suggesting they only had one local language to use. As the debate intensified, Jatin Sapru tried to calm things down between Sanjay Bangar and Aaron by reminding everyone that “cricket itself has only one language”.
Here’s how the Hindi vs Tamil debate between Bangar and Aaron unfolded
Varun Aaron: I think Washington Sundar may not have heard well because his Hindi is not very strong and KL Rahul was speaking to him in Hindi.
Sanjay Bangar: I don’t completely agree with you, Varun. I think you are trying too hard to defend Sundar in this situation.
Varun Aaron (laughs): I wasn’t there to defend anyone. Washington really doesn’t know Hindi very well, but KL Rahul can speak to him a little in Tamil.
Sanjay Bangar: South Indians mainly focus on their regional languages, but Hindi is a very important language since it is the national language.
WATCH: The viral exchange on air
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) January 11, 2026
Harshit Rana ends Conway-Nicholls party in Vadodara
Talking about the match, young Indian pacer Harshit Rana managed to provide crucial breakthroughs for the hosts, dismissing both openers, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, with New Zealand’s score standing at 126/2 at the time of writing.
Both Conway and Nicholls smashed a brilliant fifty and gave the tourists a good start in the first ODI against India in Vadodara on Sunday.
