Just a couple of hours before the match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, the official Twitter handle of Swiggy retweeted a fan’s post with a photoshopped image of Rohit Sharma diving into a vada pav stall.

© Twitter - Swiggy

“Haters will is it’s photoshopped!” read the caption.

Soon after, the brand faced a massive social media backlash as ‘Hitman’ fans started a boycott trend, threatening to uninstall the food-ordering and delivery service app from their phones unless they make a public apology towards the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team.

A special message to the Hitman’s fans

We reposted a fan’s tweet in good humour. While the image was not created by us, we do admit it could’ve been worded better. It was not meant to offend anyone in the least. Needless to say, we’re always with the Paltan.

— Swiggy (@swiggy_in) April 13, 2021

“A special message to the Hitman’s fans We reposted a fan’s tweet in good humour. While the image was not created by us, we do admit it could’ve been worded better. It was not meant to offend anyone in the least. Needless to say, we’re always with the Paltan,” they tweeted while trying to repair the damage. The tweet with the picture was also quickly deleted. 

Here’s how some of the fans reacted to Swiggy’s social media stunt:

Openly "mocking" your national vice captain couldn't have been worded better !!

Shame on you, shame on your admin

— Wiseguy (@Resonate45) April 13, 2021

It's not in good opinion in my opinion. Change my opinion as public opinion about you has changed a lot. pic.twitter.com/KLJyYcThz3

— Sleepy Ravi Bhai Daruwala (@RaviBhai2705) April 13, 2021

#BoycottSwiggy because respect should be there for those who deserve it. pic.twitter.com/EGqSzJnXKT

— Shubham kumar Anand (@SkywaIkerzzz1) April 13, 2021

You have insulted the best captain in the country..you have insulted the only guy to get 3 double hundreds in a ODI...he hardly drops catches in the slips infact takes blinders..with his fielding runs people out..India's legend is insulted #BoycottSwiggy #ShameOnYou

— Interactive Abhiz (@abhizworld31415) April 14, 2021

However, there were many who believed that Swiggy’s tweet was to spread good humour and that such things should not be taken too seriously:

Im still genuinly finding what was wrong or "disrespectful" in that tweet
It was sheer fun and just a joke
These guys need to grow up and learn to take a joke

— Rajveer Wariah (@RajveerWariah) April 13, 2021

People say there is no tolerance in the country and proving it Right every day. Dude if you're not able to take a joke or healthy mocking, pls don't use social media .

— Hardik Dave (@hardikdave_) April 13, 2021

People who are actually offended by that are immature,dumb and hypocrites..they can mock whoever they want but whoever mocks their favorite cricketer they lash out

— NiranjanXD (@Niranja18679725) April 13, 2021

It pains me to see this country's people get offended on the slightest matters.

— 黙れ (@chiraxxz) April 13, 2021

The match between KKR and MI had one of the most interesting conclusions in the recent history of the Indian Premier League tournament. Despite wrapping up the reigning champions for just 152 runs, and getting a solid start behind Nitish Rana’s mighty half-ton, the Eoin Morgan squad was unable to chase the low total and lost the match by 10 runs.

MI Skipper Rohit Sharma also had a decent outing with the bat as he smashed 43 runs off 32 deliveries which involved three 4’s and one 6. However, Sharma left every MI fan worried for a moment when he twisted him ankle while delivering the first IPL ball in seven years.

Rohit Sharma twisted his ankle just as he was about to bowl his first delivery. pic.twitter.com/sYG7R4oOZR

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 13, 2021

It took about 10 minutes of instant physio attention for the cricketer to once again get back on his feet, and deliver an inter over. Albeit being smacked for a four on the first ball, Sharma went on to give just five more runs for the remainder of his bowling spell. 

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