Venkatesh Iyer has publicly addressed the sustained online abuse he has endured from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) supporters since the franchise retained him while releasing Shubman Gill ahead of the IPL 2022 season. Speaking on a podcast with Aakash Chopra, the 31-year-old RCB batter revealed that the criticism remains a constant presence in his digital life, with fans continuing to target him regardless of the years that have passed since the initial roster decision.
The batter details the persistent KKR fan trolling triggered by Shubman Gill’s centuries.
The backlash is directly tied to Gill’s subsequent success after being drafted by the newly formed Gujarat Titans (GT) for Rs 8 crore. Iyer explained that whenever Gill scores a century, KKR fan pages fill with comments mocking the team’s past choice, frequently using the phrase “in search of gold, we lost a diamond.” This recurring narrative has turned Iyer into a perennial target for social media trolling, a situation he describes as having subjected him to “a lot of hate for a long time.”
Looking ahead to the IPL 2026 auction, Iyer’s future remains uncertain following KKR’s decision to release him. The revelation highlights the intense pressure players face in the IPL ecosystem, where roster decisions can lead to years of public scrutiny. As Iyer navigates his next chapter, his comments underscore the emotional toll of fan loyalty and the lasting impact of high-profile player releases on individual reputations.
Source: Yahoo Sports
