Saina Nehwal Surprised on Podcast

Badminton star Saina Nehwal has stirred controversy with her recent remarks about cricket during an appearance on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast. Nehwal expressed frustration over the disproportionate attention cricket receives compared to other sports, particularly badminton. However, her argument faltered when Mishra challenged her knowledge of the sport, asking her to name the world No. 1 male badminton player, to which she could not respond. The exchange took a humorous turn when Mishra countered Nehwal's point by inquiring about the captain of the Indian cricket team. Nehwal correctly identified Rohit Sharma but acknowledged that Mishra's question did not specify whether he was referring to the men's or women's team. This moment highlighted the irony in her criticism of cricket's prominence, as she struggled to defend her own sport's visibility. Nehwal's comments have drawn significant attention on social media, with many users criticizing her for a perceived lack of awareness about other sports. Some even likened her to actress Kangana Ranaut, suggesting that her remarks were out of touch. In response to the backlash, Nehwal defended herself, stating that while it is easy to criticize from the sidelines, excelling in sports is a challenging endeavor. She emphasized her achievements, including reaching world No. 1 and winning an Olympic medal, as evidence of her dedication to badminton.