'Say Anything About Virat &...': Pat Cummins Recalls Getting 'Hounded' by Kohli Fans on Social Media - WATCH

Virat Kohli’s fandom in India is unmatched. He is being loved by people of all age groups and when it comes to his fan following on social media, it’s another level of craziness. The 35-year-old is one of the most followed athletes globally, with 269 million followers currently, along with Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He is a modern-era legend and his critics often have to bear the brunt of speaking against him on public or social platforms.

Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins recently recalled an incident when he received a barrage of trolling from the netizens for his light-hearted jibe at Virat Kohli. Speaking on ‘The Grade Cricketer’ podcast, Cummins recalled how he once hoped the Indian batter would not score a century against Australia. The comment did not go down well with Kohli fans who went after the Australian speedster.

“If you live on social media at all, you get absolutely hounded by them. Say anything about Virat Kohli and look out for the next few years. I remember I said something a few years ago and it was actually a compliment. I said that he is a gun player and hoped he would not score 100 and then after six months when he scored a 100, my social media blew up,” said Cummins.

A few days ago, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull also mentioned getting death threats from fans for criticizing Kohli.

“I see a phenomenal player, a player who should be dominating more than what he was. That’s what I talk about (when I mention) his strike rate. I felt that he was afraid to get out because he was worried about what was behind him rather than (saying), ‘I’m so good’.

“It is the same thing I said about Babar and I had a chat with him after I talked about it in Pakistan and he said that his coaches told him the same thing. What I loved about (Kohli) this year was the intent to hit sixes,” said Doull on Cricbuzz.

“He is too good to worry about getting out and that was always my point. I have said a thousand great things about Virat Kohli but I say one thing negative or construed to be negative, and I get death threats. That’s the shame of it,” said Doull.

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