In India, cricket isn’t just a game; it’s a way of life, an emotion, a religion. It fuels national pride, ignites heated debates, and inspires unparalleled adulation. Yet, often the cheers and celebrations turn into something toxic. Every few days, cricket fan boys troll a woman related to a male cricketer for reasons completely out of her control. The absolutely vile trolling of Shubman Gill’s sister is further proof of the misogyny that runs deep among sports fans.

Shubman Gill was recently named India’s ODI captain. This is a career milestone for him. But it also became a nightmare for his sister Shahneel. Fans who disagreed with the decision, especially those loyal to Rohit Sharma, directed horrific abuse towards her online. Trolls have filled her Instagram comment section with abuse only because she’s a woman associated with Gill. It is a stark reminder that when something goes against the will of the fandom, a cricketer’s family, almost always a woman, is fair game for vitriol.

The eternal trolling of women related to cricketers

This is hardly the first time a woman has been abused online because of a cricketer. Anushka Sharma, an accomplished actor and Virat Kohli’s wife, has long borne the brunt of fan ire. Whenever Kohli’s form dipped, trolls targeted her, accusing her of distracting him or being a “bad omen.” None of these claims ever acknowledged the normal fluctuations of a sports career or Anushka’s own successful career. Yet, she repeatedly became the convenient punching bag for a fandom that refuses to separate a cricketer’s personal and professional life.

Similarly, Natasa Stankovic, Hardik Pandya’s ex-wife, has endured relentless trolling. Following their separation in 2024, Hardik’s fans scrutinised her parenting choices and personal decisions, turning her private life into a public spectacle. People dissected Natasa’s every action, revealing how our culture easily strips women of agency over their own lives. And let’s not forget Dhanashree Verma’s ongoing trolling, because the fan boys collectively decided that she’s the evil one in the marriage.

Shubman Gill’s sister trolled: Cricket fandom ruining the grace of the game?

These incidents are not anomalies; they are part of a broader pattern. This trolling reveals a deeper societal issue: ingrained misogyny that manifests in cricket fandom. While male cricketers are criticised for form or decisions, the women around them are attacked personally, often viciously, online and offline.

There’s a huge difference between being passionate about something and using it as an excuse to abuse women. Supporting a team or a player is one thing; threatening, trolling, or harassing family members is another. Social media platforms allow anonymity and, in turn, shield abusers from accountability. But as fans, society must reflect: do we cheer for our cricketers, or do we perpetuate a culture where women are collateral damage?

If we continue to normalise harassment under the guise of “fan culture” and being “loyal,” we are complicit in its perpetuation. The next time a player underperforms, let us critique the performance, not target a mother, sister, or wife who has no control over the scoreboard.

Featured Image Source

Related: Yuzvendra Chahal-Dhanashree Divorce: Why Are Cricket Fans Obsessed With Cricketers’ Wives?