Indian skipper Virat Kohli lashed out on Saturday at the “spineless people” who abused pacer Mohammad Shami on social media after Pakistan defeated India on Sunday, in their first clash in the T20 World Cup.
“There’s a good reason why we are playing on the field and not some bunch of spineless people on social media that have no courage to actually speak to any individual in person,” said Kohli while talking to reporters in a presser.
Kohli said that social media trolls were “literally the lowest level of human potential that one can operate at.”
He further said: “Attacking someone over their religion is the most, I would say, pathetic thing that a human being can do.”
The 32-year-old said that online abuse had become a “source of entertainment in today’s world” and that he was confident the episode would not affect the dressing room atmosphere.
“We stand by him fully. We are backing him 200 per cent. Our brotherhood, our friendship within the team, nothing can be shaken,” he added.
The Indian team as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stayed silent after the incident.
However, several former Indian players like Irfan Pathan, Virendar Sehwag and others had spoke against the abuse on social media.
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan also extended his support to Shami on social media.
Team India lost the match by 10 wickets. Babar Azam and Rizwan’s prolific innings lead Pakistan to the record-breaking victory at the Dubai International Stadium.
