Imagine being the second-leading T20I run-getter in the world with 4 centuries, the joint-most in the format, to your name. Imagine being the sixth-leading ODI run-scoring opener of all-time, with 29 centuries, the second-most, only behind Sachin Tendulkar, at the opening slot. Imagine notching up 7 centuries in the ICC ODI World Cup, the most-ever by any batsman. Imagine leading an IPL franchise to 5 IPL titles, the first one to do so, even before MS Dhoni. Imagine being the most attacking and intimidating opener in a World Cup tournament.
And yet, a couple of sections of uncouth fans – the so-called fans of Indian cricket and followers of the beautiful, gentlemanly game of cricket – taunt you, not for your on-field shortcomings at times, but for yours body not looking like an ideal athlete’s body. For not having six-pack abs like their favorite player does. Or for not being given the faith by your IPL franchise that the favorite of the other section got.
India captain Rohit Sharma said that he had barely used social media in the lead-up to the World Cup 2023, and the same would have been the case during and after the tournament. Because why not? Hooligans on social media are ugly and spiteful even when there is no cricket around; they turn into savages when they get a chance to pounce on the failure of anyone who is not their favorite player.
Life on social media is tough for celebrities with masses of public following, for the ones whose everyday profession is played out in the public eye. It’s even tougher for those whose physical appearance doesn’t match the expectations of some fans.
They chanted Vada pav for Rohit Sharma in Chinnaswamy, and crying today. Karma never forgets.
The other day, RCB fans were booing Rohit Sharma when MI lost against them.
I couldn’t hear any “CHOKER” chants today!
ALL THEY DO IS CRY 💀😭💉#RCBvsLSG #RohitSharma #Karma pic.twitter.com/Tcfpv36DbS— kolteaniket⁴⁵ (@ImKolte) April 10, 2023
The memes and trolling of Rohit Sharma with ‘Vada Pav’ must stop now
The ‘Vada Pav’ trolls and memes targetting Rohit Sharma were apparently started by the fans of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni to bring down one of the two most successful IPL captains. They were outraged even more when Rohit Sharma replaced Kohli as the captain of the Indian team, and when Mumbai Indians failed to reach the finals of the last three IPL seasons, giving more fuel to the two sections of fans to attack Rohit even more.
It’s very bizarre. These fans troll Rohit for not having an ideal physical body, but many of these fans themselves remain shy and insecure to post their own pictures on social media and instead use photos of Dhoni and Kohli in their profile pics.
It highlights nothing but their own insecurity and the lack of respect they have for someone who has achieved what Rohit Sharma has. It should also be remembered that though Rohit has had a history of injuries, he has never lacked commitment on the field whenever he has been fit and playing. Rohit remains one of the safest fielders in the world.
He doesn’t get tired in playing long innings, as evident by his multiple ODI double hundreds and his scores in excess of 130. He has rarely missed matches in the IPL, despite the tournament requiring only the fittest players to play 14-16 games in a stretch in congested time.
It’s time that Rohit Sharma gets the respect he deserves – and not the disrespect, either you are a Kohli fan or Dhoni fan – because first, you are an Indian cricket fan and a cricket fan. Here’s to hoping that the ugly, vile, distasteful ‘Vada Pav’ jokes and memes would now come to cease.
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