Disgusting reports emerged on Monday morning that Jessica, the wife of Australia and Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Travis Head, was targeted with abusive messages by Indian trolls in the wake of the post-match handshake controversy. The backlash spread quickly online, and many felt compelled to ask how anyone could justify turning a cricket moment into personal harassment.
Critics of the conduct stressed that this kind of behaviour is not limited to one country or one fanbase. Online abuse is a worldwide problem, driven by the same human instincts everywhere—yet the argument is that it should not be treated as normal. Someone has to draw a line and publicly challenge the trolls.
Why the abuse is unacceptable
A broader point was also raised about how some people view foreign players in the IPL. The claim is that because overseas cricketers earn significant money in the league, a section of fans feels entitled to insult them. The counter is straightforward: players are paid for the performances and value they bring on the field, not for enduring disrespect.
Supporters of that view pointed to recent examples from within the tournament itself. Jofra Archer, in a standout display, played a decisive role in Rajasthan Royals’ push into the play-offs—an illustration that the league’s foreign and marquee talent are not there to provoke, but to elevate competition.
The same concerns have surfaced earlier in the season for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Heinrich Klaasen and his family were reportedly harassed by a supporter, and matters only appeared to settle after Klaasen made it clear he would take action. The message was that harassment should never be tolerated, even when it is dressed up as “banter”.
The handshake incident and the reach of online abuse
In the handshake dispute involving Travis Head and Virat Kohli, it was suggested that the on-field friction did not justify dragging anyone’s family into the conversation. The source of the controversy was framed around Kohli’s role after the SRH versus RCB match, when he appeared to take aim at Head during RCB’s chase. The discussion included a remark about Head not being brought on in the same manner as had happened in several earlier cases that season.
As Head responded, he reportedly told Kohli something along the lines of: “Mate, you have got out before I could come on to bowl.” Head then moved on after the match ended, focusing on the handshake sequence rather than continuing the argument.
However, Kohli—rather than engaging directly—was described as walking past Head and moving to the next player in the line. Even if the handshake moment left tension, the central question raised was clear: why should Jessica, a mother of two, be brought into it at all?
The article also recalled that trolls have targeted Indian cricketers and their families before. It cited memories of the online harassment of Kohli and his household after India lost to Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates. The suggestion was that some of those who had attacked then may now be involved in similar attempts to intimidate the Head family.
That is why the call was made for Indian cricketers—especially those with large followings—to step forward and lead by example in educating fans. The argument is that players can use their platform not only for cricket updates, but also to set behavioural standards, particularly around the taboo of going after families.
Racism abroad, but no justification for abuse
The piece acknowledged that racism and hostility have affected players internationally as well. It referenced an incident during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21, when India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj faced racist abuse during the Sydney Test, with Australian spectators subjecting him to insulting behaviour.
It was noted that such cruelty can become “normalised” for some Indians living overseas, but the stance remains firm: two wrongs do not cancel out. Even where discrimination exists in one direction, it should not become a licence for retaliation or new forms of harassment.
So the recommendation was again directed at Indian cricketers to take responsibility through social messaging—speaking more often, including to their own supporters, about decency and the need to avoid threats or abuse aimed at players’ relatives.
Using social platforms to change behaviour
With Indian players commanding massive audiences on social media, the article suggested they can influence the conversation beyond match highlights. It pointed to how cricketers already share personal updates—new cars, dance clips, singing, and a wide range of content—and argued that they could add social messages to that mix.
The hope is that even small changes—posts and reminders about respectful conduct—could reduce the number of trolls who cross lines, even if it cannot eliminate online abuse entirely. In that sense, the conclusion was that speaking up would be a beginning, not an afterthought.
