After the incessant trolling that team India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh had to face following his dropped catch against Pakistan, his parents, Darshan Singh and Baljit Kaur stood by their son, saying such incidents will not deter his confidence. The young cricketer was faced a lot of the fans' wrath following India’s match against Pakistan on Sunday, September 4 after he dropped the catch off Asif Ali's batting as the Pakistani went on to lead his team to victory.
In the incident which occurred during the Super 4 clash in the 2022 Asia Cup, Arshdeep dropped a sitter at third-man to give Asif Ali a lifeline, after which Ali smashed 16 in the very next over to take Pakistan over the line for a five-wicket victory.
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The Madhya Pradesh-born Arshdeep’s parents reckoned that trolls would only help Arshdeep become stronger in the future. Their parents also said that criticism is necessary for a cricketer to grow. “We don’t mind trolls. It will only strengthen the resolve to do better,” Arshdeep’s parents told India Today after the trolling on social media emerged.
“No person can improve if they don’t have critics. We don’t know about any investigation. People get emotional and say things. It will not deter Arshdeep,” they added.
Arshdeep did get revenge for the missed catch in the final over, dismissing Ali, but it was not enough to prevent a loss as the 23-year-old was tasked with defending seven runs off the last over.
Following the match, many people showed their support, but the trolls were also magnanimous. The situation worsened to such an extent that the 23-year-old Arshdeep’s Wikipedia page was changed to ‘Khalistani’.
Earlier, Arshdeep’s coach Jaswant Rai also urged trolls to not be hateful towards cricketers. “I didn’t expect something like this. He shouldn’t have been trolled for the drop catch. It’s a part of the game and India still had the chance to win the match. Pakistani batters should be appreciated for the way they played. I request people to watch the game with passion and not troll players,” Rai was quoted as saying to India Today.