‘Brings out the worst in us all’: Former India cricketer reacts to trolling after New Zealand’s demolition in India

India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (left) and teammate Abhishek Sharma (AP/PTI) Former India opener Aakash Chopra hit back at trolls on social media after his prediction that it would be difficult to chase down 170-plus in Wellington was downplayed by India’s explosive batting against New Zealand in the third T20I on Tuesday.During New Zealand’s innings, Chopra took to X to suggest that chasing a total above 170 will be tough on the Wellington pitch.“Looks like 170+ will be a tough chase today,” he wrote.

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However, India made easy work of the 199-run target to reach 202/4 in just 13.2 overs to record a six-wicket victory and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The result sparked backlash on social media, with Chopra facing trolling over his rating.Responding to a video on ESPNcricinfo, Chopra defended his post, joking that he was referring to the possibility of India completing the chase in just 10 overs.“I think people should stay away from Twitter because it tends to bring out the worst in all of us. I tweeted it and I meant a 10-run chase, he said jokingly. That it’s a bit hard to catch up in just 10 overs. And you see, I was right,” he told ESPNcricinfo.Chopra then explained why he initially felt the target would be difficult to chase, pointing to the movement on offer during New Zealand’s innings. He also acknowledged how the Indian batting line-up overcame the conditions.“Seriously, what exactly is going on? If you saw the first couple of overs, the ball was going around. There was movement off the surface. And I thought 170 plus… The commentators were saying, ‘It’s a tricky surface. There’s some crosswind, too.’ They made a mockery of it. That’s what this Indian batting team does.’India’s stunning run chase was powered by Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 113 off just 38 balls, including a half-century in 15 deliveries and a 35-ball century. His innings featured 11 sixes and nine boundaries.At the other end, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 45 off 18 balls as the opening pair added 133 runs in just seven overs. Their attack helped India post a record 118 runs in the Powerplay, the highest total in the first six overs of a T20 innings.Daryl Mitchell’s earlier unbeaten 89 off 52 balls helped New Zealand reach 198/3 in their 20 overs. However, the Indian openers dismantled the bowling attack and completed one of the most emphatic chases of the series.The win also secured India’s third T20I series win on New Zealand soil after a 5–0 triumph in 2020 and a 1–0 success in 2022.