Social Media Abuse and Its Impact on Cricketers

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook have become significant sources of abuse for elite athletes, including cricketers. A recent study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and conducted by Loughborough University highlights a troubling trend: up to one-third of posts directed at sporting stars contain negative or harmful content. Although cricket has yet to conduct similar research, anecdotal evidence suggests that the situation is no different for cricketers.

Case Studies from the 2021 T20 World Cup

Mohammed Shami (India):

- Incident: During the 2021 T20 World Cup, India faced Pakistan in a high-stakes match. India was defeated by ten wickets, with Mohammed Shami, the only Muslim player in the Indian XI, being the most expensive bowler.

- Abuse: Shami was targeted with Islamophobic abuse from some Indian supporters on social media. The abuse included calls for his removal from the team and labelling him a traitor.

- Response: Virat Kohli condemned the abuse, calling it "literally the lowest level of human potential."

Hasan Ali (Pakistan):

- Incident: Hasan Ali dropped a crucial catch during the semi-final against Australia, which led to Australia’s victory in the match.

- Abuse: Following the loss, Ali received a barrage of abusive comments, including messages urging him to quit the game.

- Impact: The abuse was so overwhelming that Ali avoided using his phone for several days and only resumed using it after some time.

Chris Jordan (England):

- Incident: In the semi-final against New Zealand, Chris Jordan was the most expensive bowler and failed to take a wicket.

- Abuse: Jordan faced racist abuse on social media, which he spoke about publicly a year later.

- Experience: The relentless abuse on Twitter and Instagram had a profound impact on Jordan.

Psychological Impact

The effects of cyberbullying and social media abuse can be severe and long-lasting. Social media abuse is often worse than in-person harassment due to its faceless and anonymous nature. Emma Sadleir, a social media expert, emphasises that the anonymity and 24/7 accessibility of online abuse can exacerbate its impact on athletes.

Andrea Geurin, professor in sports business at Loughborough University, points out that emotional abuse is challenging to manage and can cause significant psychological harm. The study found that hateful and discriminatory comments contribute to emotional forms of harassment, which can have detrimental effects on athletes' mental health.

Social media platforms, while providing a space for fans to interact with athletes, also harbour a dark side of relentless abuse and harassment. The experiences of cricketers like Mohammed Shami, Hasan Ali, and Chris Jordan highlight the urgent need for better support systems and more stringent measures to combat online abuse.