There is an ugly side to the social media and in the last couple of days it is out in the open. Firstly, the trolling and online abuse of Australian cricketer Travis Head’s wife, Jessica, and now Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s sister Shresta going through the same ordeal has surfaced.
Punjab Kings failed to make it to the playoffs after enduring a six-match losing streak, which ended with PBKS winning their last league game. But Rajasthan Royals entered the playoffs after they beat Mumbai Indians. PBKS fell short by one point despite having a superior net run rate than the Royals. Punjab finished fifth in IPL 2026 with 15 points, which could have been 16, had one of their games in the initial stage not got washed out, where they had to share a point each with Kolkata Knight Riders.
After that match, Shreyas’ sister, Shresta had posted a video “ditta ek point”, trolling KKR and their fans, which went viral. But once PBKS started losing matches after a brilliant run at the start of their campaign, Shresta was trolled severely on social media over that viral clip.
During that second-half of Punjab Kings campaign this season, where they lost six straight games, a section of the franchise’s fanbase trolled Shresta which later turned into online abuse after Punjab got eliminated.
Shresta has now shared a two-part video on Instagram clarifying her intent behind making that video and also condemned the abuse directed at her and her family.
“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 said.
“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.”
She also revealed that the harassment is not limited to online now, and it has reached her worplace with her colleagues being abused.
“I pity you guys,” she added. “You have been calling my workplace, abusing me, my colleagues, my students and my family. Harassing them and calling at random times.”
Shresta also stated that she can personally take in all sorts of criticism and hate, but anything directed towards her family, colleagues and friends is not acceptable.
“If you want to hate me, please continue doing that, but stop harassing people affiliated with me. I am not here to tell what is right or wrong. I will celebrate my brother — whether he wins or loses, I will always celebrate him.”
