Considering the fact that India is a cricket crazy nation, we have given many world-class cricketers to the cricket community and we are proud of them. There is absolutely no denying the fact that a great cricketer is known by the runs that he scores or wickets or catches he takes and not by the colour of his skin. Agree?
But there are some perverts on social media who don’t have even this much of understanding and they trolled Abhinav Mukund for his skin colour. The Indian cricketer is currently a part of the Indian squad which is touring Sri Lanka. Abhinav has played for India and Tamil Nadu and he is the captain of Ranji team of Tamil Nadu. He has also played in IPL for Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Sharing pics on social media is a common trend but some users started commenting on his skin colour and made insulting remarks. When Abhinav’s patience ran out, he decided to give these trolls a kickass answer but we have to appreciate the cricketer for being so dignified and mature while handling such insensitive people.
He has tweeted a letter but at one fell swoop, made it clear that he is not targeting anyone! Here’s the letter:
“Dear friends and followers,
I have been playing cricket since the age of 10 and I have gradually climbed up the ladder to where I am right now. It is an honour to get the chance to represent the country at the highest level.
I am writing today not to garner sympathy or attention but… with the hope to change the mindset of people on an issue I feel strongly about.
I have been travelling a lot within and outside our country since I was 15. Ever since I was young, people’s obsession with my skin colour has always been a mystery to me. Anyone who follows cricket would understand that obvious. I have played and trained day in and day out in the sun and not once have I regretted the fact that I have tanned or lost a couple of shades. It is simply because I love what I do and I have been able to achieve certain things only because I have spent hours outdoors. I come from Chennai probably one of the hottest places in our country and I have gladly spend most of my adult life in the cricket ground.
I have been subject to a lot of name calling and I have laughed and shrugged it off because I had bigger goals! Affected young, I toughened up because this was never something that would pull me down. There were many times when I chose not to dignify these insults with responses. Today I am speaking up, not just for me, but for many from our country who experience ridicule based on the colour of one’s skin. Obviously, with the rise of social media it has gone to a magnitude that I see people hurling abuses left, right and centre at something I have absolutely no control over!
Fair isn’t the only lovely or handsome guys!
Stay true, stay focused, be comfortable in your own skin.
Abhinav Mukund”
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017
Hardik Pandya appreciated Mukund by tweeting,
Muk on point 👌🏻🙏🏻👍🏻 I love 👶🏾 https://t.co/s6e4Xb5H7t
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 10, 2017
Few users also tweeted in his support and here are some selected tweets:
Way to go!
There are ppl who loves you frm bottom of their heart including myslf.So dnt care abt those losers.We love u the way you're❤Way to Go Champ✌
— Nandhini subramanian (@Nandhinisp) August 9, 2017
Sad reality!
Truly agreeable bro.. here, always Skin comes first rather than skill …anomaly
— Vigneshraja (@iamvijoo63) August 10, 2017
Perfect.. the obsession with fair skin is something that irks and disappoints.
— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) August 9, 2017
We are proud of you!
sad to hear da. Stay focused, let that not disturb you! You know best, we all are proud of you!
— Parasaran Kumar (@paraasaran) August 9, 2017
Keep it up!
Pains to see a statement of this kind from you Abhi. Humans have become racial, You are destined to achieve greatness Darling keep grinding
— Saravanan T (@SaraarjunSt) August 9, 2017
More power to you!
https://twitter.com/pasupatirajesh/status/895418339119566848
In a series of tweets, Abhinav further wrote, “Guys please don’t turn this into something else, it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people who have been posting abuses about colour and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That’s all! Please don’t turn this into something political, I just wanted to make a positive statement hoping to make a change. That’s all.”
Guys please don't turn this into something else,it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people 1/2
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017
Who have been posting abuses about colour and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That s all !
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017
Please don't turn this into something political,I just wanted to make a positive statement hoping to make a change. That s all.
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017
We totally agree with him that “Fair isn’t the only lovely and handsome!” What do you say?