Shreyas Iyer’s sister slams online abuse
New Delhi: Shrestha Iyer, sister of Shreyas Iyer, has responded after facing heavy online trolling following Punjab Kings’ exit from IPL 2026. The backlash began after an old ‘prank’ reel involving Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders went viral back when PBKS missed out on the playoffs by just one point.Shrestha said the video, which showed her celebrating after Punjab’s rain-soaked match against Kolkata gave them a point earlier this season, was only meant as light entertainment and not an attack on anyone.
“The video I made earlier, you guys took it to the extreme, when the motive for the reel was just fun banter,” she explained in a video on Instagram.
She added: “I wasn’t trolling anyone, and I didn’t have any bad intentions behind the joke.
I was not spreading hate against anyone. “I respect every cricketer because my brother is a cricketer.”Here is an old video of the celebration:
Shrestha also revealed that trolling has become more dangerous than just online comments. According to her, people started calling her workplace and harassing people associated with her personally and professionally.“I pity you guys,” she said. “You have been calling my workplace and abusing me, my colleagues, my students and my family.
Harassing them and calling them at random times.”She explained that criticism directed at her is one thing, but dragging family members, co-workers and students into it is unacceptable. “If you want to hate me, please continue to do so, but stop harassing people associated with me,” she said. She also defended her support for her brother, saying: “I will celebrate my brother, win or lose, I will always celebrate him.”The incident has once again sparked debate about toxic fan culture in Indian cricket. Fans often turn aggressive online after suffering major losses, and players’ families often become targets. Similar situations have happened before, including the recent online abuse involving Virat Kohli and Australian batsman Travis Head during a heated cricket exchange.
