Indian skipper’s girlfriend blamed for World Cup loss
Upset Indian fans have blamed their loss against Australia in the Cricket World Cup semi-final on an unlikely victim – the Test captain’s girlfriend.
Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma became a fixture at India’s matches after she and skipper Virat Kohli began dating last year, but fickle fans have turned on her after the loss.
• India came and saw, but Australia conquered
• ‘Spoilt brat’ Kohli says Australians lost their cool
India went down to Australia by 95 runs, while Kohli only scored one run as Sharma watched on from the stands.
Commentators blamed overconfidence on Kohli’s dismal performance, but social media users were quick to blame the 26-year-old actress.
“Anushka is jinxed…throw her out and we will win,” one upset fan wrote.
Many were quick to jump to her defence, however, telling other Twitter users to “grow up” and said Kohli was just having a bad cricket day.
Even Indian Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi weighed in on Twitter, telling his 11 million followers: “Victory and defeat are a part of life”.
Australia will now go on to play New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final at the MCG on Sunday.
Anushka Sharma cheering for Virat and India from the stands. #IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/0XpLC6ehbj
— Ajaye (@AjayeSrkian) March 26, 2015
Victory & defeat are a part of life. Team India played great cricket throughout the tournament. We are proud of them. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 26, 2015
V. Kohli gone 1(13) Anuska Sharma responsible for that
— কুমিল্লা আন্তঃ স্টেঃ (@cml_int_stadium) March 26, 2015
Dear indians, its anushka sharma not overconfidence. — Bevda Engineer (@abhijix) March 26, 2015
Dear BCCI, Do not allow Anushka next time ! — Mahi, We Trust you ! (@Kukkad_ki_Kuki) March 26, 2015
Why @AnushkaSharma… why? why you came down to Sydney!! #IndvsAus — Yogesh Sharma (@YoGuess) March 26, 2015
What did Anushka Sharma tell Virat Kohli before he went out to bat today? “Virat, I want you here in 5 minutes.” 😀 #CWC15 #AUSvsIND — Chirag Bhaiya (@chiragbhaiya) March 26, 20154
Anushka is jinxed…throw her out and we will win. — Wordilicious (@huh_watnow) March 26, 2015
So ANUSKA Sharma was Sent by ISI as part of the (KHOLI DISTRACTION PLAN) says PM MODI #AUSvIND #cricket #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/4tuTWl0WPW — Sardar Aqib (@kshmiri12) March 26, 2015
A team of 11 men lost, but hey let’s blame a woman. Because… India. #AnushkaSharma
— Scotchy Shashtri (@scotchism) March 26, 2015
Comical how people relate kohli’s failure with anuska sharma. Grow up
— Ashutosh (@kharel_ashutosh) March 26, 2015
#AnushkaSharma came to support #ViratKohli and not to PLAY instead of him! Why blame her always? Can’t @imVkohli have a bad cricket day?
— Harpreet Kaur (@harpreetk0607) March 26, 2015
Well India you have show the world how sexist & misogynistic you are by blaming #AnushkaSharma for a game loss she was not even a part of!!
— Amena (@Fashionopolis) March 26, 2015