The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has hit back at trolls who targetted Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and other members of Team India on social media after the team’s 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, ahead of India’s clash against New Zealand, Virat Kohli backed Mohammed Shami and condemned the communal abuse that was directed towards the Indian pacer on his social media accounts. Calling the trolls ‘a bunch of spineless people’ Virat Kohli said:
“There’s a good reason why we are playing on the field and not some bunch of spineless people on social media that have no courage to actually speak to any individual in person. They hide behind their identities and go after people through social media, making fun of people and that has become a social entertainment in today’s world, which is so unfortunate and so sad to see,”
He added:
This is literally the lowest level of human potential that one can operate at and that’s how I look at these people,”
For the unversed, following India’s 10 wicket loss to Pakistan, Mohammed Shami was subjected to online abuses and trolls. Shami, who turned out to be the most expensive bowler of the lot, giving away 43 runs in his 3.5 overs at an economy rate of above 11, has been subjected to terrible abuse on social media.
However, his captain Virat Kohli stood by him. While calling the abuse pathetic, Virat Kohli has extended his full support to the pacer. He said:
“To me, attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing that a human being can do. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion over what they feel about a certain situation, but I personally have never ever even thought of discriminating anyone over their religion. That’s a very sacred and personal thing to every human being.”
He slammed the critics, saying that the team is fully behind the fast bowler. He said:
“People take out their frustrations because they obviously have no understanding of what we do as individuals. They have no understanding of how much effort we put on the field. They have no understanding of the fact that someone like Mohammad Shami has won India a number of matches in the last few years and he’s been our primary bowler with Jasprit Bumrah, when it comes to making an impact in games.”
He added:
“If people can overlook that and his passion for his country, honestly I don’t even want to waste one minute of my life to give any attention to those people, and neither does Shami and neither does anyone else in the team. We stand by him fully. We are backing him 200 per cent, and all those who have attacked him, can come with more force if they want to. Our brotherhood, our friendship within the team, nothing can be shaken.”
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team will be seen locking their horns with New Zealand on Sunday in their second clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021.
