Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has lashed out at those targeting pacer Mohammed Shami on social media over religion, terming them a "group of backboneless people" after their T20 World Cup loss against Pakistan in the first match. Shami was the target of critics after the ten-wicket loss to Pakistan, although Kohli said after the match that Pakistan had performed better than the Indian team.
During the press conference on the eve of the match against New Zealand, Kohli said, 'We have a good reason to play on the field. Those who write on social media are spineless people who do not have the courage to talk to any person's face to face. For some groups of spineless people, making fun of someone on social media has become a means of entertainment which is unfortunate. People target people by hiding their identity, they do not have the courage to come in front of people and they go after anyone, it is very sad to do this through social media.
Virat further said this is the lowest level of humanity. Nothing can be more frustrating than attacking someone on the basis of religion. People are using the human potential for such a fallen job. That's how I look at trollers. As individual players, we know, understand what we have to do on the field. We have the ability and mental strength for that. They have neither the ability nor the courage to do what we do and how, they cannot even think of doing this.
The Indian captain further said, 'Never thought of favouritism on the basis of religion. Religion is a very sacred thing. Our friendship and brotherhood cannot be shaken and these things do not matter. I give credit to those who understand us.
After the defeat of India, Shami's Instagram account had hundreds of messages saying that he is a traitor and he should be thrown out of the Indian team. However, his fans and celebrities from all walks of life supported him.
