Shutting down trolls: This is how Indian cricketers gave it back to their haters

When social media bigots attacked cricketers on Twitter for no reason, they put them in their place in style.

Recently, cricketer Abhinav Mukund got trolled on Twitter for a weird reason. Some users posted racist comments about his skin tone when he posted a picture of himself on Twitter.

Cricketers Irfan Pathan (L) and Mohammad Kaif have been targeted by trolls on social media.

“Sir SOUTH k saare aise hi Kale Kalute hote hn...Not ur mistake... (sic),” read one comment. The 26-year-old Tamilian cricketer gave a befitting reply, shutting up his haters.

This is not the first time cricketers have given it back to trolls. On Rakhsha Bandhan, Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan posted a picture with a rakhi on his wrist. This infuriated fanatics. “If you live in a country where other religion is established then be good with them but don’t follow them,” (sic) wrote an Instagram user. Another comment read, “Ye Islam m sahi nhi h Pathan bhai (this is not right in Islam).” Pathan responded to the comments, urging the trolls to stop: “Stop this nonsense of putting each other down…,” he wrote.

Irfan Pathan slammed haters who trolled him for wearing a rakhi.

Only last month, Pathan had posted a picture of his wife wearing a burqa with exposed hands and red nail polish. He drew flak from religious fanatics for “breaking traditional values”.

In December 2016, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was subjected to similar treatment after he posted a picture with his wife Hasin Jahan, who was wearing a sleeveless dress. Some social media users retaliated by saying that Shami should ensure that his wife wears a hijab.

Cricketer Mohammad Kaif stood up in Shami’s support and slammed fans. “The comments are really Shameful. Support Mohammed Shami fully. There are much bigger issues in this country. Hope sense prevails,” he tweeted.

Kaif, too, has been trolled for playing chess with his son. Many said that the game was not supposed to be played by Muslims and is unethical. Even as the enraged fans tweeted negatively, the cricketer gave it back to them on Twitter. “When u are playing a sport,its one of d best ways to break barriers of caste, creed, religion. Wish everyone plays more. #SportsBeyondReligion,” he wrote, along with a picture, saying, “Chess is a wonderful game. Passing on your learnings is not a crime, especially of a game which has been India’s own invention and followed from centuries. Chess has taught me spontaneity, the presence of mind and [to] strategise at an early age. It has made me come out the winner in many situations on the field and in life.”