Mithali Raj, captain of the Indian women's cricket team, was at the recieving end of trolls on social media after she recently posted a 'throwback' picture on Twitter.
Soon after she posted the picture, some on social media trolled her for what she wore, and commented on her 'dressing sense'.
While one person said that he did not 'expect this' from her, another asked her to be 'more Indian' in her dressing sense.
#tb #PostShootSelfie #funtimes #girlstakeover pic.twitter.com/p5LSXLYwmA
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) September 6, 2017
Not Gud.Not expected these kind of pictures.Sorryyy
— chandu_Prince FAN (@chanduk2010) September 6, 2017
Hey mithali raj u not a actrees.u r a cricketer .y so glamorous
— naveenashok (@naveenashok2) September 6, 2017
Not good to see you in this costumes. Don't mistake me. Be an Indian women that too TAMIL NADU WOMEN.
— Nandagopal.R (@NandagopalR4) September 6, 2017
Plz,,Delete this selfi Mithali madam...
— ADI (@imadi420) September 7, 2017
At is this exposing. Ur are a inspiration. Please remove it mam
— s.RAMANJANEYULU (@sRAMANJANEYULU5) September 6, 2017
However, her fans would have none of it and they soon began countering the trolls by stoutly standing by her.
What are you? A weather forecaster?
— Ronit Motiwale (@Ronit_58) September 7, 2017
Useless comments on @M_Raj03 's pic once again showcase the problem of increasing unemployment in the country. Sigh!
— Ritesh (@IamRitzV) September 6, 2017
A successful girl is one who can build a firm foundation with bricks other have thrown at her.Our Captain Cool @M_Raj03 is one of the them
— Sheetal Mhetre (@Sheetal_M25) September 6, 2017
Sharee,top,Jersey.. Whatever u wear...always look perfect..
— Mithalian Payel.. (@P_Biswas03) September 6, 2017
Its her personal choice what to wear&what not to.So stop criticizing her&instead praise her for efforts on taking indian team to d finals
— Naznin Nazir (@naznin_nazir) September 7, 2017
You are an inspiration. Haters gonna hate and critics gonna criticise. India loves you
— Ashri (@Me_ashri) September 7, 2017
To all of them who have trolled @M_Raj03 Maam, Grow up guys.. We r in 2017.. Change ur mindset before u change others..
— Shruti Banerjee (@shru_4_SG) September 7, 2017
Trolling @M_Raj03 is shameful. Let her lead life d way she wishes to.She is an icon&remain d same.@MSufiSaint @mpparimal @chaanakya41
— Ravi Sinha (@ravisinha_86) September 7, 2017
Despite the war raging on her timeline, Mithali went about her day unfazed, and refused to comment on the controversy.
In July, the Indian women's cricket team led by Mithali Raj reached the final of the ICC World Cup and won hearts despite going down after a valiant fight. The team's performance generated renewed interest among people in women's cricket.
"Our team did well in the World Cup. I wouldn't say good because of the result but we have created a buzz about women's cricket in India among people. I am hoping it will be good times henceforth for women's cricket," Mithali had told reporters at the time.
"I did not expect this kind of reception despite losing the final. As a team we were all sad after the defeat in the final. This appreciation and feedback from the Prime Minister to Chief Minister has been really nice because all these years nobody gave us acknowledgement. This time the matches were telecast live on television and social media. It created wider atmosphere and many people tweeted in support of the Indian team," she added.
Mithali was also in the news in June, when she was was asked who her favourite male cricketer was.
"Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?" she asked the reporter in return, triggering off a debate about sexism in sports.
IANS inputs