'Protect the team' - Rahul Gandhi's message to Virat Kohli amidst online trolling and abuse

Team India has lost two straight games in the T20 World Cup 2021. This has placed them under major scrutiny. Amidst all the trolling that is making rounds across the social media platforms, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come forward to support the team. He has sent a message to the Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who has also been at the receiving end of the online abuse, and has asked him to protect the team.

India lost their opening fixture of the mega event to arch-rivals Pakistan. The Men in Green broke India’s 12-match winning streak against them in World Cups. The Virat Kohli-led side wasn’t able to bring a shift in their fortunes in the next game as well. They faced a dismaying loss against the Black Caps by eight wickets as the team experienced a batting collapse yet again and could manage just 110 runs. 

This dejected the fans and the players had to face a lot of criticism. Rahul Gandhi has, however, come forward with a piece of advice for Kohli. He took it to his official Twitter account and wrote: “Dear Virat, These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them.  Protect the team.”

The tweet also came fairly soon after it was reported that the Delhi Commission for Women sent a notice to Delhi police asking them to take the action over Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s nine-month old daughter getting rape threats online.

Dear Virat,

These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them.

Protect the team.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 2, 2021

Rahul Gandhi had previously come in support of team India pacer Mohammed Shami

After India’s loss to Pakistan, Shami was targeted by a few on-lookers over his religion. The speedster conceded 43 runs in 3.5 overs without taking a wicket against the Babar Azam-led side. This fetched him a lot of criticism from a few fans. A larger section of the cricketing fraternity had come forward in support of the pacer. And Rahul Gandhi too had chimed in with a tweet to express his opinions on the same.

“Mohammad #Shami we are all with you. These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

Mohammad #Shami we are all with you.

These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 25, 2021

Opening up on the same, the Indian skipper had stated, “To me attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing a human being can do. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion, but I personally have never even thought of discriminating against someone over their religion,” he said on the eve of India’s Super 12 match against New Zealand in Dubai.