IPL 2023: Star Sports in TROUBLE again, Fans SLAM IPL 2023 Broadcaster for Hot or Not segment

IPL 2023: Broadcasters Star Sports are in hot waters once again for “objectifying” male cricketers in their new segment called ‘ Hot or Not’. In their pre-match show on Thursday, Star Sports’ male presenters asked their fellow female anchors to play swipe right/left based on the cricketer’s off-the-field pictures. Veteran presenter Mayanti Langer, who is married to former Indian cricketer Stuart Binny, looked uncomfortable while participating which made the viewers more furious. Follow Indian Premier League LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

Netizens took to Twitter to express their disappointment with the channel’s approach and called the segment ‘cringe’. Viewers lashed out at the broadcaster for ‘objectifying’ male cricketers and demanded a boycott.

Check out some reactions:

https://twitter.com/gurkiratsgill/status/1659184370186600453

https://twitter.com/IamNEGA62524296/status/1659190831583215616

Pathetic state of affairs in Indian sports coverage. #IPL2O23 #starsports https://t.co/bOeqFnXwVR
— meghnath (@meghnath1789) May 18, 2023

What is this @Sanjog_G

Just reverse the situation with male anchors rating female cricket players and we will have a sexual harassment and objectification allegation ready.

Star Sports is in a deep mess https://t.co/XHcSWBEpd1
— Monica Verma (@TrulyMonica) May 18, 2023

Jio cinema >>>>>> star sports https://t.co/ExehR5nmtg
— Keerthivasan (@keerthiplessis) May 18, 2023

However, many Twitter users came out and defended the Channel, stating that it could be part of promotional activity.

Expected something better from someone like you, insanely trivial to focus on a segment which may be a part of a promotional activity and not really cricker
— Vijay Sharma (@Vijay_sharrmmma) May 18, 2023

Cringe content is everywhere, let's avoid talking about that
Have you seen the paid partnership @jiocinema has done for promotion of ipl? What about the rest of the show
— Sachin Mehta (@sachinn_mehta7) May 18, 2023

These are the same guys who will discuss what Mayanti wore, or be interested in cheerleaders more than the game itself. Grow up guys
— vikky Goyal (@mevikkyygoyal) May 18, 2023

Earlier, Star Sports got embroiled in a controversy when comedian Munawar Faruqui was featured in their coverage of the game between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans on May 12. Notably, Faruqi was arrested in 2021 for making remarks on Hindu deities during a show and hurting religious sentiments.

https://www.insidesport.in/fans-call-for-star-sports-boycott-after-controversial-comedian-munawar-faruqui-presents-ipl-pre-match-show/

The comedian was charged with section 295-A which deals with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class. The complaint was filed by Eklavya Singh Gaud, son of BJP MLA Malini Laxman Singh Gaud.

While the Madhya Pradesh High Court had denied granting Faruqi bail, the Supreme Court on February 5, 2021, released the comedian on interim bail.

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