Why ‘Shame On Star Sports’ Is Trending?

On Monday night, those browsing X (formerly Twitter) were surprised to find the hashtag #ShameOnStarSports trending not only in India but also in other countries. People began expressing their concerns, urging Star Sports not to create divisions within the Indian cricket team through what they perceive as publicity stunts. The reasons behind this trending hashtag have piqued curiosity, and here’s what actually happened.

The hashtag #ShameOnStarSports has gained traction, stirring controversy on social media platforms. It appears that the uproar stems from a preview video for the upcoming World Cup’s first semi-final match between India and New Zealand. The thumbnail image in question featured Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, the captains of their respective teams. The issue at hand is that Virat Kohli is not the current captain of the Indian cricket team; Rohit Sharma holds that position.

This misrepresentation irked fans who felt that Rohit Sharma’s image should rightfully have been displayed alongside Kane Williamson’s. Some expressed frustration, pointing out that Star Sports typically blames Rohit Sharma when the team faces a loss, yet fails to credit him for the team’s impressive nine consecutive wins in the World Cup—a historic achievement for India.

The hashtag began trending as fans voiced their disappointment and accused Star Sports of perpetuating a biased narrative. The trending hashtag reflects the discontent among Indian cricket fans and, more specifically, Rohit Sharma’s supporters.