Anushka Sharma’s fans defend her against vitriol after Virat Kohli’s twin ODI ducks: ‘Men’s egos need women to blame’
When Virat Kohli recorded back-to-back ducks in the recent ODI series against Australia, social media predictably lit up — but not only with criticism of the batter. A section of trolls immediately turned their ire toward Anushka Sharma, blaming her presence and luck for Kohli’s rare poor run. That response sparked a swift, vocal defence from fans, fellow celebrities and commentators who called out the sexism behind the attacks.
The match facts: what happened on the field
Kohli’s successive ducks came during the first two ODIs of India’s Australia tour, marking the first time in his long 50-over career that he recorded consecutive zeros. India posted competitive totals but could not close the games; Australia clinched the second ODI and secured the series with a composed chase. These results prompted discussion about form and selection — perfectly reasonable cricketing conversations — but some responses crossed a line into personal attacks directed at Anushka Sharma.
How the online backlash unfolded
Within hours of the match, posts on X (formerly Twitter), comment threads and tabloid headlines began linking Kohli’s performance to Anushka Sharma’s attendance at matches or her personal life. Some posts used thinly veiled superstition and outright misogyny to suggest a woman was to blame for a man’s on-field failure. Several mainstream outlets documented both the sporting loss and the coordinated online reaction that targeted Anushka.
Fans and peers push back — and why it matters
Fans and many public figures quickly defended Anushka Sharma, arguing that blaming a player’s spouse is both irrational and sexist. Supporters pointed out the absurdity of linking a professional athlete’s performance to his partner’s presence and called out the hypocrisy of those who would attack a successful woman instead of critiquing the athlete’s game. The pushback included defenders emphasising Anushka’s right to live publicly without being used as a scapegoat for unrelated failures.
A recurring pattern, not a one-off incident
This is not new. Anushka Sharma has faced similar abuse in the past when she was blamed for Kohli’s form during major tournaments. Both she and Kohli have publicly spoken against trolling and misogyny before, and Kohli himself has previously called out online attacks on Anushka as shameful. The recent episode is a reminder that online scapegoating of women connected to high-profile men is persistent — and that cultural stereotypes often fuel the behaviour.
What the reaction reveals about sports culture and gender
Blaming Anushka Sharma after Virat Kohli’s poor form highlights two issues: the continuing prevalence of sexist narratives, and how quickly social media can shift from sports criticism to personal vilification. Sports are emotionally charged; fans vent. But when venting targets partners, families, or unrelated people, it moves out of legitimate critique and into harassment. Calling out this behaviour matters for the health of sports discourse. When journalists, fans and influencers treat players’ partners as props or scapegoats, it trivialises the human cost of public life and normalises misogyny. The collective defence of Anushka Sharma shows that many people understand this and are willing to push back.
Practical ways fans and platforms can reduce abuse
Short-term: report abusive accounts, block repeat offenders, and avoid amplifying tweets that target private individuals. Long-term: platforms must enforce harassment policies consistently, sports media should focus on performance and context rather than sensationalism, and fan communities should cultivate accountability. If you’re a fan who cares about fair debate, steer conversations toward technical analysis — bowling plans, pitch conditions, selection issues — instead of personal attacks. Doing so raises the quality of discussion and protects non-playing individuals from harm.
Anushka Sharma’s public image and influence
Anushka Sharma is an established actor-producer and public figure whose life will naturally attract attention. Yet her professional credentials and charitable work are separate from the dynamics of sport. Repeatedly targeting her for Kohli’s form reduces a complex, public life to a superstition-driven trope. Fans defending Anushka are not just defending a celebrity; they are pushing back against a cultural shortcut that uses women as emotional punching bags.
How media coverage can do better
Responsible reporting should clearly separate match coverage from sensationalist commentary. Headlines that link a player’s failure to a partner’s presence feed trolls and legitimise harassment. Outlets and writers can choose framing that critiques performance without personalising it. Journalists also have an opportunity to remind readers about the human impact of online abuse and to highlight solutions rather than amplifying harmful narratives.
Closing — why this conversation matters beyond cricket
At its core, the controversy around Anushka Sharma’s treatment after Virat Kohli’s twin ducks is about respect. Players will have bad days; they are human. Partners, families, and friends should not be collateral damage in the fallout. The strong defence from fans shows progress: large numbers of people are no longer willing to accept misogynistic scapegoating as normal. If sports fans want richer, smarter debates, they can start by holding themselves to a higher standard — focusing on the game, critiquing fairly, and refusing to weaponise personal relationships. That change would protect public figures like Anushka Sharma and make sports fandom healthier and more inclusive for everyone.
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