Virat Kohli Calls On Fans To Use Gadgets Positively And End Trolling Culture In Cricket

Social media has transformed how fans connect with cricketers, but it also fuels harsh trolling. In today's fast-paced digital world, instant opinions often lead to negative comments. Unfortunately, this has become a common downside of being in the public eye.

Despite this, some cricketers are taking a stand against online negativity. They encourage fans to focus on positivity and reject toxic online behaviour. Here are five notable instances where cricketers have spoken out against trolling.

Virat Kohli, a prominent figure in Indian cricket, has faced his share of online criticism. Yet, he consistently advocates for positive change. In a recent viral video, Kohli urged fans to use social media constructively and maintain a positive outlook.

"Use all your gadgets and use them positively. You all have access to social media, use it for good things and keep a good positive mindset," Kohli said, emphasizing that "there should be no trolling, no negativity, no making fun of people." For Virat, it's all about spreading good vibes and using the power of social media to uplift, not tear down.

Ravichandran Ashwin is vocal about ending fan rivalries that turn ugly. After Hardik Pandya faced severe trolling during the IPL, Ashwin addressed this issue on his YouTube channel (via Sportstar - The Hindu):

"Fan wars should never go in this ugly a route," he said. "One should remember which country these players represent—our country." Ravichandran pointed out the absurdity of fighting over players, asking, "Have you seen Joe Root and Zak Crawley fans fight? Or Steve Smith and Pat Cummins fans in Australia?" His point was clear: sportsmanship should always come first, and rivalries should never sink into personal animosity.

Mohammad Shami's Experience with Trolling

After India's loss to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Mohammad Shami faced severe online abuse. The trolling was particularly harsh due to his religious background. However, many from the cricket community supported him. Sachin Tendulkar praised him as "a dedicated, world-class bowler" (via Men's XP), while others like Yuzvendra Chahal and Harbhajan Singh also showed their support.

Harbhajan Singh's Plea for Dignity

Following India's defeat by Australia in the 2023 World Cup final, Harbhajan Singh condemned the online abuse directed at Australian players and their families. He questioned why people troll players' families and stressed that "sanity and dignity are more important," as shared on X (formerly Twitter).

The trolling extended to cricketers' wives, which Harbhajan found unacceptable. His call for dignity resonated with many fans who wanted an end to such toxic behaviour.

Aakash Chopra's Humorous Response

Aakash Chopra is known for his witty social media presence. When trolled with an old image of Jasprit Bumrah's no-ball from the 2017 Champions Trophy, Aakash responded humorously by sharing an image of Mohammad Amir's infamous no-ball. This response amused many within the cricket community.

Aakash's clever comeback highlighted that sometimes humour can be an effective way to handle trolls.