New Delhi: After 29 years, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, India lost to Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. This is Pakistan’s first-ever 10 wickets win in the history of international T20 cricket. Although Virat Kohli stated to the Star Sports host broadcaster, “We didn’t execute properly. Credit where it’s due and Pakistan outplayed us today. They started brilliantly with the ball, and 3 wickets for 20 runs was not a good start. We needed wickets early but with the bat, they gave us absolutely no chances,” several people are disheartened at the loss suffered by India.
Meanwhile, netizens have stormed the Internet throwing abuses to the fast-bowler and a senior player of the Indian Cricket Team, Mohammed Shami. As soon as the Men in Blue got defeated against their arch-rivals, fans took to social media handles like Twitter and Instagram to pass derogatory comments on the bowler.
The online trolls blamed Shami for siding with Pakistan’s side for being a Muslim and giving out the highest number of runs on Sunday’s match. Hundreds of messages were left of Shami’s Instagram account, calling him a “traitor” and that he should retire as soon as possible.
Here are some of the reactions of the netizens against Mohammed Shami:
These are comments under Shami’s Instagram post.From the very beginning I predicted this would happen if India lost the match. pic.twitter.com/5v9rZN0Nzw
— സ്പൾബർ കുഞ്ഞൂപ്പി (@vaikivannavan) October 24, 2021
Views outside Shami’s house tonight pic.twitter.com/YsmPKTas8T
— shadab (@farzeeiqbal) October 24, 2021
Sample Comments on Mohammad Shami’s Insta Page. Team India today took a knee for BLM. Can they stand up for their Team Mate? pic.twitter.com/6Ql2HQbiGJ
— Joy (@Joydas) October 24, 2021
“Virat Kohli gave bowling to Shami in the end to make him scapegoat for the defeat coz he is a Muslim. Virat wanted abuses be hurled at Shami.”
– Pak Punjab’s ex-minister and journalist Mubasher Lucman#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/YPjD1Mrir1
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) October 25, 2021
While hate mongers trolled him badly, several former cricketers and politicians came in support of the Indian pacer.
Here are some of the tweets of personalities who extended support in favour of Mohammed Shami:
Md Shami is being targeted on social media for yesterday’s match, showing radicalization, hatred against Muslims. In cricket, you win or lose. There are 11 players in team but only a Muslim player is targeted. Will BJP govt condemn it?: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, in Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/4KUA0FxRmi
— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2021
Is the Indian cricket team going to take a gratuitous knee for Black Lives Matter, entirely disconnected from the Indian reality, but stay silent on the bigoted online attacks against Mohd Shami? We expect better @imVkohli .
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) October 25, 2021
#MohammedShami was one of 11 players who lost last night, he wasn’t the only player on the field. Team India your BLM knee taking counts for nothing if you can’t stand up for your team mate who is being horribly abused & trolled on social media.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 25, 2021
The online attack on Mohammad Shami is shocking and we stand by him. He is a champion and Anyone who wears the India cap has India in their hearts far more than any online mob. With you Shami. Agle match mein dikado jalwa.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 25, 2021
Those bursting crackers on Pak winning can’t be Indian! We stand by our boys! #Shameful
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) October 25, 2021
Even I was part of #IndvsPak battles on the field where we have lost but never been told to go to Pakistan! I’m talking about ?? of few years back. THIS CRAP NEEDS TO STOP. #Shami
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 25, 2021
We love you @MdShami11 ?? #Shami
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 25, 2021
We are so proud of you @MdShami11 bhaiya ??
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) October 25, 2021
Online trolls are the ones who earlier used to burn effigies and throw paint-stones at player’s houses…with an online profile without a face worthy of a profile pic. ?
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 25, 2021
Mohammed Shami has been one of the best bowlers of the Indian Cricket Team and has performed exceptionally well over the five years.