In the age of social media, one instance makes you a star and another can make you a villain. India's wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is the newest member of this club of love-hate in the Indian cricketing circle.
After getting widespread adulation for his century in England, one shot against Australia in the first T20I has made him the new target of Twitterati.
Even Virat Kohli highlighted in the post-match press conference following the narrow defeat at Gabba that had Pant been till the end, the result could have been different.
"It was a close game, was a see-saw battle. Started well with the bat, fumbled in the middle overs, in the end, we thought we'll win with Pant and Karthik but it changed again with Pant's dismissal," Kohli said.
Pant recently posted a picture on his Twitter account with fellow youngster Prithvi Shaw at Sydney on the eve of the 3rd T20 between India and Australia.
My brother has the coolest brother... just saying ??@PrithviShaw pic.twitter.com/vCw6VH1VW3
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabPant777) November 24, 2018
But people on the popular social networking service did not take kindly to it making it clear to the former that India lost the first T20 solely due to his irresponsibility.
Thoda game p dheyan do we lost 1st match coz of u only ....
— Dr Rahul Kumar (@Dr_Rahul_Sp) November 24, 2018
This fan warned Pant of his impending fate if he didn't mend his ways.
Coolest shot k chakkar main match tere karan haar gye
— Sunny chatterjee (@Sunnychatterj10) November 24, 2018
Kbhi normal bhi khela kar...
Otherwise very soon bahar
This person wanted Pant to finish games instead of posing for pictures.
Photo session band karo. Match finish karne ka try karo.
— Binayak (@Binayakuce) November 24, 2018
Harsh words there.
@RishabPant777ji aap mein aur @PrithviShaw mein zameen aasman ka farak hai would aapki tarah faaltu shot khelke out nahi hota.
— CHIRAG (@WadkarChirag11) November 25, 2018
This person asked Pant to play fearless cricket, not senseless cricket.
Both of you play fearless cricket but there is just a small line of difference between fearless and senseless. #PlayResponsible #AwesomeChamps #Fearless
— Manish Jain (@Nausikiya) November 24, 2018
While someone had a friendly advice.
Bhai game par zyada dhyan do... Social media par itna active mat raho
— Dhanjit Patgiri (@DhanjitPatgiri4) November 24, 2018
With the second T20 abandoned due to rain, India will be desperate to notch up a victory at Sydney to end the series at par with Australia and stretch their unbeaten T20 series run to 10.