Rajasthan Royals’ win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on May 24 ended Punjab Kings’ IPL campaign, but it also reignited online trolling directed at Shreyas Iyer’s sister Shrestha over a viral “bunter” reel involving PBKS and Kolkata Knight Riders.

After this the clip surfaced again PBKS misses playoff spot by just one pointDue to which fresh abuse started on social media. This incident has once again highlighted how quickly online humor in sports can turn into targeted harassment, especially when the results go against a team or individual.

Responding to the backlash, Shrestha addressed the issue in a two-part Instagram video, clarifying The intention behind the original reel and the condemnation of abuse Directed at him and his family.

He said, “You people exaggerated the video I had made earlier, whereas the purpose of the reel was just a fun joke.” “I was not trolling anyone, I had no bad intentions behind the joke. I was not spreading hatred against anyone. I respect every cricketer because my brother is a cricketer.”

They also spoke about the scale of online and offline harassment, including abuse at their workplace and against colleagues.

“I feel sorry for you guys,” he added. “You have been calling my workplace, abusing me, my colleagues, my students and my family. Harassing them and calling at random times.”

Shrestha further said that although she is ready to face personal criticism, targeting her professional circle and family crosses a line. “If you want to hate me, please continue to do so, but stop harassing people associated with me. I am not here to tell you what is right or wrong. I will celebrate my brother – whether he wins or loses, I will always celebrate him.”

toxic fans in india

The episode has once again raised concerns over the toxic side of cricket fans in India, where players and their families often become targets of online abuse after high-stakes matches or controversial moments. Similar incidents in the past have seen family members of international cricketers dragged into online controversies, leading to widespread discussion about digital harassment and accountability on social media platforms.

In one such example, India batsman Virat Kohli was also part of an online storm recently Heated argument on the field with Australian opener Travis HeadAfter which a section of social media used abusive language. Message towards the players and even their families—Once again the dark side of fan culture in modern cricket was highlighted.

The resurgence of old reels following Punjab Kings’ minor missteps has further heightened tensions between the fan bases, with online narratives quickly shifting from light-hearted banter to personal attacks. While teams and players regularly engage in social media content IPL Season after season, the results often highlight how delicate the line is between entertainment and growth in the digital sphere.

ipl 2026 | ipl schedule | ipl points table | ipl player stats | purple cap | orange cap | ipl video | cricket news | live score

– ends