Shreyas Iyer's Sister Responds to Online Trolling After Punjab Kings' IPL Exit
NEW DELHI: Shresta Iyer, sister of cricketer Shreyas Iyer, has broken her silence after facing severe online trolling following Punjab Kings' elimination from IPL 2026. The controversy erupted when an old video resurfaced, showing Shresta celebrating after rain washed out a match between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, which gave Punjab a crucial point earlier in the season. Punjab Kings narrowly missed the playoffs by just one point, reigniting the backlash.
In an Instagram video, Shresta clarified that the video was intended as light-hearted banter and not an attack on anyone. She said, "The video that I had created earlier, you guys exaggerated it to extremes, when the motive of the reel was just a fun banter." She added, "I wasn't trolling anyone, I had no bad intentions behind the banter. I wasn't spreading hate against anyone. I respect every cricketer because my brother is a cricketer."
Shresta revealed that the trolling escalated beyond online comments, with people calling her workplace and harassing her colleagues, students, and family. She stated, "I pity you guys. You have been calling my workplace, abusing me, my colleagues, my students and my family. Harassing them and calling at random times." She emphasized that criticism aimed at her is acceptable, but dragging innocent people into the situation is not. "If you want to hate me, please continue doing that, but stop harassing people affiliated with me," she said.
She also defended her support for her brother, asserting, "I will celebrate my brother, he wins or loses, I will always celebrate him." The incident has sparked renewed debate about toxic fan culture in Indian cricket, where players' families often become targets after major losses. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including online abuse involving Virat Kohli and Australian batter Travis Head during a heated cricket exchange.
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