Amidst the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has spoken out against the online abuse directed towards cricketers.

Sood, known for his outspoken nature, took to the micro-blogging website (X) to urge fans to show respect for the players.

Respect Our Heroes, Regardless of Performance

“We should respect our players,” Sood wrote. “Players who made us proud, players who made our country proud.” He went on to criticize the fickle nature of some fans, who “cheer for them one day and boo them the next.”

Sood emphasized that the blame shouldn’t fall on the players, stating, “It’s not they, it’s us who fail.”

He reiterated his love for cricket and expressed his admiration for all Indian cricketers, regardless of their franchise or position within the team. “They are our Heroes,” he added.

We should respect our players. Players who made us proud, players who made our country proud. One day you cheer for them, next day you boo them.
It’s not they, it’s us who fail.
I love cricket.
I love every cricketer who represents my country.
Doesn’t matter which franchise…

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) March 29, 2024

Hardik Pandya: Target of Recent Criticism

Sood’s comments come in the wake of intense scrutiny faced by Mumbai Indians (MI)‘ new captain, Hardik Pandya.

Pandya’s appointment as skipper, replacing the five-times IPL winner Rohit Sharma, led to a wave of online criticism.

Also READ: IPL 2024 – Social media users target Hardik Pandya’s wife amid MI’s successive defeats

This negativity intensified after MI’s disappointing start to the 2024 IPL season, including a loss against their former team, Gujarat Titans (GT), whom Pandya led for the last two last years. During their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Pandya was even booed by some sections of the Hyderabad crowd following a 31-run defeat in a high-scoring encounter.

MI Looks to Rebound Against Rajasthan Royals

With their first win still elusive, MI will look to turn things around when they face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday (April 1) at the Wankhede Stadium. Whether Sonu Sood’s plea for fan respect translates into a more supportive atmosphere for the players remains to be seen.

Also READ: IPL 2024 – Did Hardik Pandya really push Lasith Malinga after MI’s defeat against SRH? Here’s the video

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