Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has strongly condemned the growing abuse directed at cricketers’ families on social media, after recent incidents involving Travis Head’s wife and Shreyas Iyer’s sister sparked outrage online. Without naming anyone directly, Chopra took aim at fans who cross the line when their favourite players are criticised, calling such behaviour shameful and hypocritical.

“People abusing wives, kids… are the lowest form of scumbags,” Aakash Chopra wrote on X. “Same lowlifes won’t handle an iota of criticism about themselves or their idols. Hypocrites.” His remarks quickly gained traction as the debate around online trolling and toxic fan culture intensified.

The issue has come into sharp focus after the IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, where Virat Kohli and Travis Head were involved in an on-field exchange.

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The post-match handshakes also became a talking point, with Kohli’s refusal to shake hands with Head drawing heavy attention on social media. Soon after, Head’s wife Jessica revealed that she had been receiving abusive messages online linked to the incident.

People abusing Wives…kids…are the lowest form of scumbags.
Some might be found under this comment too.
Same lowlifes won’t handle an iota of criticism about themselves or their idols. Hypocrites.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 26, 2026

Speaking to Australian outlet The Advertiser, Jessica said the abuse felt like a repeat of what the family had previously experienced during the World Cup. She explained that while she and Travis were fine, trolls had started targeting their friends and family. Jessica also stressed the importance of mental health, perspective, and kindness in sport, saying passion should never come at the cost of humanity.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer’s sister, Shresta, also found herself at the centre of online trolling after a social media post linked to Punjab Kings’ rain-abandoned IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders. What was meant as light-hearted banter was met with abuse, forcing her to delete the video.

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Clarifying her intent, Shresta said the reel was never meant to spread hate or mock anyone. She also alleged that trolls went beyond comments, calling her workplace and harassing her colleagues, students and family members.