Cricket has always been a sport that garners immense attention. It attracts billions of viewers and is the number one source of entertainment in the Subcontinent. From the black-and-white screens to Kerry Packer's Cricket in Color, Cricket has always been enjoyed by masses throughout the world. Since the broader commercialization of Cricket in 1993, the game has changed upside down. With broadcasting rights and sponsors flowing in, the gentleman's game transformed into a money spinner. 

Similar changes have been observed with the advent of social media. Cricket off the field has now become as important as on the field. If you cannot cope with the pressure, hype, or fan following on the field, you are expected to falter when it comes to playing the match. In this blog, we will discuss in detail how social media has influenced the game and its players.

1) A Fan Page is A Must

  • Official Twitter Handles

Social media brings both positive and negative energy. Teams are now using official Twitter handles to shape and channel them better. National Teams use it to announce squads, injury updates, appreciation posts, or match summaries. They tend to keep it formal and avoid any savageness or waywardness. 

However, IPL teams often use it to troll their opponents in a friendly manner. Marcus Stoinis recently scored 117* for Lucknow against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024. The Lucknow Super Giants official page tweeted: "MS Finishes it in Style in Chennai." They took a hilarious dig at MS Dhoni and Chennai without offending anyone.

  • Player Fan Pages

You might come across social media accounts named after superstar players such as Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, or MS Dhoni. These pages are run by die-hard fans of such cricketers. Players sometimes unofficially back such pages, as this is an essential source of tackling the media if their performances dip. On the other hand, some pages specifically troll such players and are always searching for opportunities.








2) Players Privacy Breached

You might remember the video of Virat Kohli's hotel room surfacing on social media. That video was shot without Virat's consent or knowledge. Rohit Sharma also recently took a dig at social media, saying Players' privacy is no longer respected. He said, "The lives" of cricketers have become so intrusive that cameras are now recording every step and conversation we are having in privacy with our friends and colleagues, at training or on match days."  

The thing social media does is that these things get viral in no time. A mere abuse in the heat of the moment uttered by players is used to lambast their character. This forces the Cricketers not to act naturally and go into a shell. 

3) Fans Getting Smarter

Social Media has provided access to every kind of data regarding Cricket to the fans. You don't need to search for anything, as social pages would present you with the exact thing you want. You will see how Virat Kohli plays well in a chase on one page. Next, you would witness Virat faltering while chasing on significant occasions, such as the CT17 Final against Pakistan or the CWC 19 semi-final against New Zealand. This information about every dimension has allowed fans to digest information better and more effectively.

4) Vloggers Not Cricketers

Vlogging is slowly becoming the favorite sport for many Cricketers. You grab an excellent camera and ask your counterparts silly questions. In recent times, nearly every team has one vlogging enthusiast. Someone who would knock on doors in hotel rooms, record training sessions, or conduct shows after the match. 

As this practice cannot be deemed unethical, such players are taken to the cleaners when they make a mistake on the field. A classic example is Yuzi Chahal. He has a good following on TikTok and is also known for vlogging. However, when he gives away a lousy performance, he is criticized not based on his performance but his social media habits. 

5) Social Media – A Medium of Expression?

Social Media is known as the flag bearer of freedom of speech. However, this luxury is misused by many people. Recently, Azam Khan deleted all his posts on social media in response to hate and abuse. The online abuse was triggered when he put on a disappointing show. Similarly, when Pandya took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, he became the public enemy number 1. He had to face online and on-the-field abuse. This direct and unregulated access that social media has provided sometimes plays into the hands of the wrong people. 

Conclusion

To conclude things, social media in itself is not something bad. It depends on how people use it and how Cricketers react to it. There are policies in place where in Mega Tournaments, players are barred from using social media, as the outside pressure makes way into their head. However, fans still need to mend their ways. Players are always trying their best, but as humans they are not immune to mistakes. Always, remember that true fans are those who stand with their team, when they are on the receiving end.