Morrison faces backlash after Indian impersonation

Former New Zealand cricketer Danny Morrison has come under fire after performing an ill-advised Indian impersonation live on TV.

Wearing a red turban and fake beard, Morrison stunned viewers as he oversaw an IPL coin toss during the game between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the majority-Sikh city of Mohali.

Morrison, now a commentator after finishing his Test career in 1997, faced a backlash of criticism on Twitter.

But the 50-year-old defended the stunt insisting it had been cleared by bosses at host broadcaster Sony TV. He wrote on Twitter: “Dear sports fans, especially those in UK/SA/NZ..host broadcaster Sony tv asked me to dress up & we cleared wth bosses!” Morrison was also backed by the New Zealand Indian Cricket Association too.

“In my personal view, I didn’t think it was offensive,” Bhikhu Bhana, president of the NZICA, told Stuff.co.nz.

“When you look at Danny Morrison, and I’m an avid cricket follower, he welcomed everyone in a place called Mohali, which is in the Punjab,” he added. “And he welcomed them in their language too, basically saying ‘Kia Ora’. And that was it really. I couldn’t see anything that was offensive at all.”

“Cricket can open bridges really and I think Danny tries to do it sometimes. Look at the crowds there. They’re having a good time. From my point of view, I can see nothing culturally offensive from Danny Morrison.”