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Shresta Iyer defends her viral IPL reel as harmless banter, condemns trolls for abusing her family, colleagues and students, vows to keep publicly supporting brother Shreyas Iyer
(Image credits: Instagram/ @shrasthaiyer29)
Shresta Iyer, sister of Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer, who works as a choreographer, dancer, and content creator, has finally reacted to the intense trolling and abuse directed at her and her family after an old IPL-related reel resurfaced online following the Punjab Kings’ disappointing end to their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign.
The controversy began after a playful reel featuring Shresta and the Punjab Kings social media team went viral following PBKS’ rain-affected clash against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this season. The April 6 match had ended without a result due to rain, with both teams receiving one point each.
In the now-viral video, Shresta and the PBKS team jokingly hinted that KKR were “lucky” to get a point because of the washout.
At the time, the clip was largely viewed as light IPL banter between rival fanbases. However, after Punjab Kings’ form dipped later in the tournament and the team narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, social media users began revisiting the reel and calling it “bad karma”.
As the trolling intensified online, Shresta addressed the issue through Instagram stories, clarifying that the reel was never intended to insult anyone.
“The video that I had created earlier, you guys exaggerated it to extremes, when the motive of the reel was just a fun banter,” Shresta said. “I was just supporting my brother’s team. I wasn’t trolling anyone; I had no bad intentions behind the banter. I wasn’t spreading hate against anyone. I respect every cricketer because my brother is a cricketer.”
Shresta also revealed that the online hate had gone far beyond social media comments. According to her, trolls allegedly began contacting people around her, including colleagues, students, and even family members.
“I pity you guys,” she said. “You have been calling my workplace, abusing me, my colleagues, my students, and my family. Harassing them and calling at random times. You are crossing all your limits.”
She further claimed that some users had even started messaging the students she trains. “This much hate? You are abusing me, so that should be enough. Why are you reaching out to the students? This is not right?” she said, adding that she only wanted people to see how far online abuse can go.
Despite the backlash, Shresta made it clear that she would continue supporting her brother publicly. “I will celebrate my brother. When he wins, I will always celebrate him. In cricket, wins and losses are part of the game. But to abuse families, sisters, and wives is not right,” she said.
The controversy sparked mixed reactions across Instagram, where users flooded Shresta’s post with both support and criticism. “It was clearly harmless IPL banter; people are taking this way too seriously,” one user commented.
Another wrote, “Cricket rivalry is fine, but dragging families and students into this is disgusting.”
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