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South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi recently spoke out against the issue of social media trolling, emphasising the importance for athletes to address the abuse they face online. Shamsi's comments came in the wake of personal attacks he and his family endured following his on-field celebrations during a T20I series against India.
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The incident that triggered the online abuse involved Shamsi's celebration after taking the wicket of Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav in a T20I match. Known for his vibrant and unique celebrations, Shamsi performed his 'shoe-call' gesture, which has become a trademark of his cricketing persona. However, this led to unwarranted and vile comments on social media, targeting not just him but also his family.
Shamsi, a left-arm wrist spinner, voiced his concerns over the negative impact of staying silent about such abuse. He stressed that ignoring trolls could further empower them to continue their behavior. He pointed out that targeting an athlete's family and personal life due to their performance on the field is unacceptable.
"People took it negatively; they thought it was disrespectful. I had so much abuse hurled at me. It was probably the worst it's ever been. There was also abuse hurled at my wife. I didn't appreciate that. It's uncalled-for. It's fine if you want to have a dig at the players, but to involve family and say nasty things, that pushes it to another level," Shamsi told Cricbuzz.
"I feel that if players don't say anything about it, then people think they have free license. More people need to speak up and say it's not okay. Yes, we're all trying our best. Yes, your team might not win or you might not agree with certain things. But you need to behave like a human being. You can't carry on like an animal," he added.
During the second T20I match in Gqeberha, Shamsi's 'shoe-call' celebration, where he pretends to make a phone call using his shoe, caught widespread attention. This celebration, which he had initially set aside, was brought back by Shamsi due to requests from young fans. After dismissing Suryakumar Yadav, who had scored 56 runs, Shamsi seized the moment for his notable celebration, which has been a highlight in various T20 leagues globally.
Shamsi's performance in that match was exceptional, as he recorded figures of 18 for 1 in 4 overs, earning him the Player of the Match title. His spell played a crucial role in South Africa's victory in the rain-affected second T20I, although India eventually leveled the series in the final game.
Both India and South Africa are currently engaged in the first of their two-Test series in Centurion, highlighting the ongoing cricket rivalry between the two nations. Shamsi's stance against social media trolling is a significant step in addressing the challenges athletes face off the field, especially in the era of digital communication and social media.
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