Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has defended his ‘cheap troll’ act against the Pakistani cricket team after facing widespread criticism from cricket fans both in India and Pakistan. Compounding his embarrassment was an old video in which Sehwag was seen showering praises on Pakistan and the hospitality he received when Team India last played a bilateral series in the neighbouring country.
This all started with Sehwag posting an objectionable tweet to celebrate the Pakistani team’s ouster from the World Cup, which is being held in India. “Pakistan Zindabhaag! Have a safe flight back home,” Sehwag wrote on his social media page where he has millions of followers.
The post didn’t go down well with both Indian and Pakistani cricket fans. Many Indians slammed him for acting like a cheap troll. Twitter user ‘The Bad Doctor’ wrote, “When you batted, you were extra-extra-special, but now you’re just an ordinary troll. No one could bat like Viru the batsman, but there are thousands like Viru the troll.”
User Himanshu Sehgal wrote, “@MichaelVaughan trolls Pak. too but there is a line between an ex-cricketer and a cheap troll. #Sehwag hasn’t became cheap suddenly, he was cheap from the start. #BJparty effect has multiplied his cheapness.”
User Rahul D wrote, “Disgraceful & unworthy Indian International cricketer. There’s Sachin, there’s MS, There’s Virat and then there’s cheap social media troll Sehwag. The player who doesn’t respect the opposition isn’t a player of his worth. Disappointed.”
Faced with growing outrage, Sehwag issued a clarification defending his questionable act. In a long social media post, he wrote, “In the 21st century there have been 6 ODI world cups. In 6 attempts, only once in 2007 did we not qualify for the semi-finals and have qualified in 5 of the last 6 World cups. On the other hand only once have Pakistan qualified for the semis in 6 attempts in 2011.
“And they come up with ridiculous allegations blaming ICC and BCCI of changing balls and pitch. Their Prime Minister mocks us when we lose to another team despite having beaten them. Upon reaching here , their player posts pictures of enjoying tea in Hyderabad with sarcasm to mock our soldier.
Doing cheap things to please the masses🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
Is this you??? I doubt😐pic.twitter.com/4fSuzHIzcn https://t.co/2AbPA4N5ii
— சுரேந்தர் | Surendar (@surayviru73) November 10, 2023
“The PCB chief on camera refers to our country as Dushman Mulk. And they expect love for their hate. And those preaching class, that is a two way street. Jo Achha vyavhar kare uske saath hum bahut hi achhe, aur jo aisa vyavhar kare toh sahi mauke par soot samet lautana is my way. On field bhi, off-field bhi.”
However, this did not convince his detractors as they began to highlight his hypocrisy on Pakistan. One user, Mandakini, shared an old video in which Sehwag was seen showering praises on Pakistan. In that interview, Sehwag had recalled the shopkeeper had refused to accept money from him when he bought 30-35 suits for his mother, sister and other relatives. The shopkeeper had told him that he couldn’t accept money from his guest.
“There was not a single place where we didn’t receive love. They would ask me where I was from. When I said I was from Delhi, they would ask about their relatives and their houses. I would get choked hearing their stories (of partition). But I was happy to know that we were once a one country. Now two brothers have separated,” Sehwag had said.