When Ajinkya Rahane lifted the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the end of a tough-fought four-match Test series in Australia, there was not a single fan of the Indian cricket fraternity who didn’t appreciate his courage and patience as a leader.

His ability to make tough decisions, make bold moves under pressure and make match-winning strategies not once but two during the tour Down Under, sky-rocketed him in the conversation among one of the best captains the team has had the pleasure to play under in the longest format of the game.

View this post on Instagram

Unfortunately, his one move has since taken away a huge chunk of fans when he recently tweeted about the ongoing farmers’ protest and ended up blocking all replies to that tweet.

© Twitter - Ajinkya Rahane

“There’s no issue that cannot be resolved if we stand together as one. Let’s remain united and work towards resolving our internal issues #IndiaTogether,” wrote the stand-in Indian Test captain who took away his followers’ ability to comment on the post.

However, Twitter still allows its users to quote others’ tweets while making a comment on their own. This means that while Rahane will not be directly replied to, others can use his post to present their opinions to the rest of the world and… that’s exactly what happened.

The middle-order batsman was called out for blocking replies and turning a deaf ear to the “dissenting voice” of the protesters.

Show the GUTS to listen to the DISSENTING VOICE. WHY BLOCK COMMENTS, ANOTHER SPINELESS CRICKETER. NOTHING ELSE https://t.co/UAvK9P1Ude

— Nishant (@Nishant52676736) February 4, 2021

Turned off the replies lol https://t.co/s5IjFPZZ5I

— smriti⍟ misses steve rogers| ia (@305HEYANGEL) February 4, 2021

Why u have disabled the reply 🤣 https://t.co/52EbyQVLzR

— Amit Agarwal (@amit2548065) February 4, 2021

🤣 🤣 Reply hidden https://t.co/guKrGPX0zb

— சிவா C (@iamsiva_c) February 4, 2021

Why hesitant over levying the replies open?

BTW, wondering where @imVkohli is still stuck and unable to talk about topic both his idol and his replacement in Indian cricket spoke about! https://t.co/YjeAyQgFsg

— Sumit Sharma (@Sumitkrsharma) February 4, 2021

Rahane is not the only Indian cricketer to share the “India Together” message online shortly after international activists and celebrities like Greta Thunberg, Rihanna and Mia Khalifa started talking about the protest and the taking away of the internet from New Delhi and areas around the capital, following the clash between the protesters and police.

The captain of Team India in all formats of the game, Virat Kohli, also shared a very similar message via his Twitter handle:

Let us all stay united in this hour of disagreements. Farmers are an integral part of our country and I'm sure an amicable solution will be found between all parties to bring about peace and move forward together. #IndiaTogether

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 3, 2021

“Let us all stay united in this hour of disagreements. Farmers are an integral part of our country and I'm sure an amicable solution will be found between all parties to bring about peace and move forward together. #IndiaTogether,” Kohli wrote.

Even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar jumped into the discussion, showing his dissent towards “external forces” who spoke about the issue:

India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants.
Indians know India and should decide for India. Let's remain united as a nation.#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 3, 2021

“India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants. Indians know India and should decide for India. Let's remain united as a nation. #IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda,” the ‘God of Cricket’ wrote.

View the full article