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NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer’s sister, Shresta Iyer, has responded after facing heavy online trolling following Punjab Kings’ exit from IPL 2026. The backlash started after an old “banter” reel involving Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders went viral again when PBKS narrowly missed the playoffs by just one point.Shresta said the video, which showed her celebrating after rain had washed out Punjab’s match against Kolkata and gave them one point earlier this season, was only meant as light-hearted fun and not an attack on anyone. In an Instagram video, she explained, “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.”Here is the older video of the celebration: Shresta also revealed that the trolling became much more serious than just online comments. According to her, people started calling her workplace and troubling people connected to her personally and professionally.“I pity you guys,” she said. “You have been calling my workplace, abusing me, my colleagues, my students and my family. Harassing them and calling at random times.”She made it clear that criticism aimed at her is one thing, but dragging family members, coworkers, and students into it is unacceptable. “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, saying, “I will celebrate my brother, he wins or loses, I will always celebrate him.”The incident has again sparked debate around toxic fan culture in Indian cricket. Fans often turn aggressive online after major losses, and players’ families frequently become targets. Similar situations have happened before, including recent online abuse involving Virat Kohli and Australian batter Travis Head during a heated cricket exchange.
