Shreyas Iyer's sister hits back at online abuse after PBKS playoff exit

Rajasthan Royals’ victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on May 24 ended the Punjab Royals’ IPL campaign but also reignited online trolling targeting Shreyas Iyer’s sister, Shrestha, over a viral ‘banter’ involving PBKS and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The clip then resurfaced PBKS missed the playoffs by just one pointwhich prompted repeated abuse across social media. The incident highlighted once again how quickly online humor in sports can turn into targeted harassment, especially when the results swing against a team or individual.

In response to the backlash, Shrestha addressed the issue in a two-part video on Instagram and clarified the intention of the original coil and the condemnation of abuse focused on her and her family.

“That video I made earlier, you took it to the extreme where the theme of the reel was just a fun prank,” she said. “I didn’t troll anyone, I didn’t have any bad intentions behind the prank. I didn’t spread hatred against anyone. I respect every cricketer because my brother is a cricketer.”

She also spoke about the extent of harassment she faces both online and offline, including abuse directed at her workplace and co-workers.

“I feel sorry for you,” she added. “You called my workplace, abused me, my colleagues, my students and my family. You harassed them and called at random times.”

Shresta further stated that while she is willing to absorb personal criticism, targeting her professional circle and family crosses the line. “If you want to hate me, please continue to do so, but stop harassing people associated with me. I’m not here to say what’s right or wrong. I’ll celebrate my brother – win or lose, I’ll always celebrate him.”

TOXIC FANDOM IN INDIA

The episode has reignited concerns about the toxic side of cricket fandom in India, where players and their families are often the target of online abuse after high-stakes matches or controversial moments. Similar incidents in the past have seen family members of international cricketers being dragged into online controversies, sparking wider discussions about digital harassment and liability on social media platforms.

In one such case, Indian batsman Virat Kohli was also part of the recent online storm during a heated exchange on the field involving Australian opener Travis Headafter which sections of social media directed the offensive messages to players and even their families— again highlighting the dark side of fan culture in modern cricket.

The resurgence of the old reel after the Miss Punjab Kings narrow further heightened tensions between the fanbase, with the online narrative quickly shifting from light-hearted banter to personal attacks. While teams and players routinely engage in social media content during the IPL season, the fallout from the results often reveals how fragile the line between entertainment and escalation is in the digital space.

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Published on:

25 May 2026 22:28 IST

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