Shreshtha Iyer Removes Controversial Video Amid IPL Banter
Rain Disrupts IPL Match Between KKR and PBKS
The IPL 2026 encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) marked the first match of the tournament to be canceled due to rain in Kolkata. Consequently, both teams received one point each. During the match's interruption, Shreshtha Iyer, sister of PBKS captain and former KKR leader Shreyas Iyer, shared a light-hearted video poking fun at KKR, suggesting they had 'gifted' a point to PBKS. She humorously remarked, "Saade Punjabiyan da dil vadda hunda ae. Lo, ditta ek point. (We Punjabis are big-hearted. So, we gave you a point)." However, she has since deleted the video.
In her Instagram story, Shreshtha explained her choice to remove the video, citing the negative feedback she received online. She expressed that her decision was made out of respect for her brother and the team he plays for. "I've decided to take down my recent video as it seems it was misunderstood by some. It was meant to be light-hearted banter, but I respect that not everyone saw it that way. However, it's been quite upsetting to receive not just negativity, but also a few threat messages over it. That's something I didn't expect, especially for something that was never intended to harm anyone," she wrote.
Shreshtha further clarified, "I'm not removing the video because I believe I did something wrong, but because I respect my brother and his team, and I don't want this space to turn into one filled with negativity. Let's try to be a little kinder and more understanding with each other."
'Don't Understand Why Hate Is Being Spread'
A few days prior, Shreshtha addressed the backlash in another Instagram story, expressing her confusion over the hostility directed at her. "Guys, I don't understand why hate is being spread. I mean, it's just a game. The videos being made are just for fun, and I am here to support my brother. I will continue to do that. No hate for any team - it's just a game. Everyone should take it sportingly," she stated in a video.
She acknowledged the competitive nature of the sport but emphasized that her intentions were not to troll anyone. "I understand aggression. I wasn't trolling anybody. It was my way of celebrating, and I am going to continue doing that. I am just here to say no hate for anybody - only love. It's a game; we all should have fun. The rivalry should show, no matter what. There were no personal attacks. Just chill. Peace out, guys," she concluded.