Indian cricketer Hanuma Vihari has found himself deeply entangled in an ugly social media battle. What started as a standard cricketing opinion about Sunrisers Hyderabad has rapidly deteriorated into a petty, back-and-forth defensive feud with local fans on Twitter.
The friction began after Vihari critically pulled apart SRH’s batting approach during difficult games, claiming their lineup only thrives on absolute flat pitches. When passionate fans predictably pushed back to defend their team, the veteran batsman failed to take the criticism on the chin. Instead, he took the classic cry baby route, openly comparing his professional achievements against anonymous internet users and demanding to see their personal contributions.
This defensive reaction has rightfully turned a huge section of the local cricket community against him. Pulling rank as an international athlete to shut down everyday fans on a social platform looks incredibly thin-skinned and desperate. Mainstream cricket analysts are paid to voice opinions, but they are also expected to handle the digital heat that comes with it. By choosing to constantly bicker with trolls rather than letting his expertise speak for itself, Vihari is quickly losing the respect of the very audience that once championed him.
