The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is in full swing, and while the action on the field continues to thrill fans, the drama off the pitch has sparked serious conversations. After Punjab Kings (PBKS) lost a crucial match to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 20 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, the spotlight shifted away from cricket to something far more disappointing—online trolling. Shreyas Iyer, captain of PBKS, may have faced a tough day on the field, but it was his sister, Shresta Iyer, who bore the brunt of misplaced fan frustration. Attending the game to cheer for her brother, Shresta soon found herself flooded with hateful messages on social media, prompting her to deliver a sharp and dignified rebuttal.
Shresta Iyer calls out insensitive trollers in an Instagram story
Shresta, a talented dancer, choreographer, and social media personality, has always been a vocal supporter of her brother Shreyas and his cricketing journey. But her show of support during the PBKS vs RCB clash led to an unexpected and ugly backlash. Trollers filled her direct messages with baseless accusations, blaming her presence for the team’s loss. Rather than letting the hate get to her, Shresta responded with an Instagram story that swiftly put things into perspective.
In her post, she called out the sheer absurdity of blaming family members for a team’s defeat. “Whether we’re physically present or cheering from afar, our support for the team is unwavering,” she wrote. Her words reflected frustration but also a deep sense of maturity. She rightly pointed out that the people hurling abuse were hiding behind screens, disconnected from the real effort it takes to support someone publicly. “Your baseless criticism doesn’t shake me…it just shows your ignorance,” she added, making it clear that she wouldn’t be silenced by online bullies.
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Shresta bears the brunt of showing up for her brother Shreyas Iyer
For Shresta, attending the match was a simple act of sibling love. But in today’s social media-driven world, even support is scrutinized. Trolls were quick to point fingers when PBKS lost by seven wickets, but few acknowledged the fact that cricket, like any sport, comes with its wins and losses. “Today just wasn’t their day,” Shresta stated with clarity, reminding everyone that setbacks are part of the game.
Her post sparked a wave of appreciation online, with many lauding her courage and composure. It also reignited a larger conversation around the toxicity that often brews in sports fandom—where emotional investment can sometimes spiral into unfair criticism, especially aimed at players’ families. As for PBKS, they remain in the playoff hunt, holding fourth place on the points table.
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