The day after the RCB victory celebration in Bengaluru where 11 fans lost their lives, Virat Kohli was seen quietly leaving for London.
He looked calm and composed at the airport and many fans were expecting some kind of reaction or statement from the team’s biggest star.
People on social media noticed his body language. Many said he didn’t seem affected at all by what had happened just hours before. And that led to a lot of criticism.
Some fans were hurt and angry. They said Virat who is known for protecting his private life, not even showing his kids’ faces publicly, should have shown more care and concern for the fans who lost their lives during the celebrations.
After all these were people who supported him, wore his jersey and came out to celebrate the team’s win.
Others pointed out that Virat is a professional cricketer and not responsible for organizing or managing the crowd during the event.
They said his job was to play cricket and now his part is over. He is going back to London where he lives with his family and earns money playing cricket and endorsing brands.
There is also a growing frustration among fans who feel that many players come to India for the IPL, make huge money and then go back to live abroad sometimes without showing much connection or care for their Indian fans.
Some fans express this bluntly, saying these stars “play with fans’ emotions” by making India their stage but then “go back to their country” as if nothing happened.
The debate is strong and emotions are high. Many want their cricketing heroes to stand with them in good times and bad but others understand that players are also human beings who might choose to deal with things privately.
Whatever the case, the tragic loss of life during the RCB victory celebrations is a sad reminder for everyone — fans, players and organizers alike — about the need for safety and empathy during such huge public events.
