The Australian media, which just days earlier had called Indian captain Virat Kohli a “clown,” turned their attention to their counterpart Rohit Sharma, who is now being labeled “Captain Cry Baby”, Following his furious shouts at teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal on the second day, during the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Perth-based tabloid, The West Sport, which has recently dug into Kohli with a photoshopped picture of him sporting a clown nose and the caption “CLOWN KOHLI,” now published a picture of Sharma sucking on a pacifier carrying the BCCI logo and tears streaming out from his eyes. The headline written above this picture said, “CAPTAIN CRY BABY,” with the subhead reading, “Turns out Clown Kohli isn’t the only sook in the Indian side.”.
Rohit’s frustration was evident as Jaiswal dropped catches for the umpteenth time on Day 4 as Australia capitalized to take a huge lead. Earlier, the visitors staged a tremendous comeback with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s courageous century that saved India from following on. Australia was reduced to 91/6 by Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, who increased the pressure even more. However, it was crucial contributions by Marnus Labuschagne, 70, Pat Cummins, 41, and Nathan Lyon, 41 not out that saw the lead past 300, courtesy of fielding errors by India.
Rohit has had a challenging series so far as India could not quite cope with the adverse conditions after a disastrous series against New Zealand and mixed results here in Australia. The Australian press have taken this opportunity to poke fun at Indian players with scurrilous headlines. This latest criticism by the Australian media is a continuation of provocative headlines that target Indian players during the series.
How Does Media Criticism Affect Athlete Mental Health?
Athletes in the sporting world are highly celebrated and recognized at times, but it comes at the cost of living under severe scrutiny by fans and media. Constructive media criticism at times helps athletes improve themselves, while severe or over-zealous media criticism is sometimes destructive to the mental health of the athletes.
The pressure of being in limelight
Athletes, especially at the professional levels, are pressurized extensively to perform to their bests. Every move or action they commit, on the field and beyond, is inspected and reported about. With more recent socialization through social networking sites, attention has become extreme, not necessarily limited to the outlets of traditional reporting but to millions out there in networks. Mistakes or losses that are analyzed just get amplified often leading towards harsh public outcry.
Performance is a core aspect of an athlete’s self-concept and identity. Negative commentary from the media or online critics about their talent and skills can be deeply disheartening, often leading to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and even depression. On the other hand, the relentless focus on failure often overshadows the successes many athletes achieve. This biased narrative, perpetuated through the media, creates a distorted story that athletes struggle to live with and accept.
The Psychological Consequences of Media Criticism
1. Anxiety and Performance Pressure
The appreciation of constant attention could bring along a fear of failure and increase one’s anxiety levels. Athletes may tend to become neurotic perfectionists, fearing that any small error on their side will be punished. This anxiety often forces the performer to underachieve, and poor results often feed into more criticism.
2. Depression and Low Self-Esteem
Harsh media criticism can crush the athlete’s confidence. Eventually, the symptoms can manifest themselves into depression as athletes start to believe media narrative; they start to question their worthiness and ability. Some of the cases that deal with mental health battles include that of Abhinav Bindra, who won gold at the Olympic Games, he openly discussed battling with loneliness and depression due to an immense amount of pressure.
3. Burnout
The pressure to meet high expectations leads to burnout. When an athlete is overwhelmed, he or she develops a distaste for the game and consciously or unconsciously becomes emotionally and physically reclusive.
4. Social Isolation
Media criticism doesn’t just impact an athlete’s professional life—it also makes them targets for online harassment and trolling. In an effort to avoid such negativity, some athletes resort to self-isolation, leading to lonely and secluded lives.
5. Coping Mechanisms and Risky Behavior
In a desperate attempt to cope with pressure, some athletes might abuse substances, overeat or develop unhealthy habits.
Media Dynamics and the Culture of Criticism
Modern media focuses more on sensationalism than balanced reporting these days. The more negative the news and controversy, the higher the viewership. This usually means that failures by an athlete receive disproportionate coverage. Social media amplifies this, as users can comment and share opinions instantly without much accountability. The “hot take” culture is the over-exaggeration and sometimes unsubstantiated critique that spreads everywhere for shock value. This makes for a toxic culture in which athletes are depersonalized, treated not as people with feelings and vulnerabilities but rather by their performance statistics.
Impact on Personal and Private Life
Media criticism often extends beyond an athlete’s performance, affecting their personal life and relationships. Online trolling and scrutiny can cause stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil, leading some to isolate themselves to avoid negativity. The pressure to uphold a public image limits personal freedom and emotional expression, with lasting impacts on mental health and overall well-being.
Ways to address the impact:
Chronic stress due to media criticism can worsen pre-existing mental health conditions.
- Media Responsiveness: Encouraging responsible journalism, constructive criticism without sensationalizing.
- Mental Health Provisions: Giving athletes access to sports psychologists and counseling services.
- Digital media management: The athlete should have been trained how to post adverse media coverage online while also withdrawing at times.
- Resilience and Stress management Training: Give the tools in the areas of mindfulness and handling of stress regarding criticism
Practices such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness should be observed by athletes. These will help athletes to stay on the ground and manage stress. Such practices allow the athlete to focus and control emotions, which means coping with external pressures.
- Advocacy: Prominent athletes speaking out on mental health challenges can help normalize seeking support and create a culture of empathy.
- Digital Detox: Limit exposure to social media and news outlets, thereby limiting the amount of negative encounters that can force athletes into negativity. Many athletes now hire social media managers to remove out inappropriate content.
- Support Networks: A good network of friends, family, and teammates can also cushion them against other people’s criticisms. They encourage and give a different view on things.
- Role of Media and Fans: Media practitioners and viewers play a significant role in the construction of the athlete’s story. Sensible reporting, criticizing without praising unduly the effort, would lead to a healthier culture. .
The psychological stress on athletes can be reduced by avoiding personal attacks and sensationalizing their performance. Supportive fans who offer constructive feedback and encouragement help athletes stay grounded during challenging times. Cultivating empathy and understanding creates a healthier and more positive competitive environment.
Policy Changes By Sports Organizations
Sports organizations may have policy in place for the preservation of mental well-being among athletes. Examples are as follows:
- Mandatory Mental Health Resources: Access to mental health professionals and wellness programs.
- Media Regulations: The rules that are to be made for the press interaction in order to avoid invasive or hostile questioning.
- Awareness Campaigns: Promotion of mental health awareness among sports people.
Athletes Speak Out: Battling Mental Health Challenges and Social Media Trolling
Athletes have expressed their frustration over the harmful impact of social media trolling on their mental well-being, highlighting the intense scrutiny they face. They are calling on fans and society to cultivate more empathy and understanding towards them.

KL Rahul
Indian cricketer KL Rahul, in an interview on ‘The Ranveer Show’ with Ranveer Allahbadia, shared his frustrations about the impact of online trolling on his performance. Rahul explained that trolls unfairly criticize athletes, often without understanding the emotional toll it takes. He emphasized that athletes pour their heart and soul into the game and do not take losing lightly. He pointed out that the results in sports do not always reflect the effort put in. The emotional strain of constant negative chatter, especially when striving for better results, adds an additional burden.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has faced relentless trolling during IPL 2024. Pandya has been in the spotlight for reasons beyond his cricketing skills. After replacing Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Mumbai Indians, Pandya faced significant backlash, including boos at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and trolling about his fitness and leadership decisions.
Former cricketer Robin Uthappa addressed Pandya’s challenges on The Ranveer Show, describing the intense pressure he faces. “He is a guy with the calibre and potential to be an all-time great. But the mocking, trolling, and memes about his fitness—it hurts him. It hurts any human being,” Uthappa said. He criticized the lack of empathy shown by fans, urging society to allow athletes to fail without excessive judgment.
Sania Mirza: Humour as Defense
Tennis star Sania Mirza shared her strategy for dealing with trolls during an interview with Boria Majumdar on India Today Inspiration. Calling social media trolls “the biggest cowards in the world,” hiding behind screens to unleash their negativity. She revealed how humor and sarcasm help her cope, often finding the absurdity of hateful comments funny.

“You deal with it with humor.. I manage most of the issues in my life with a dash of humor and sarcasm. It is mostly fun most of the time” she said. Sania underlined the irony of trolls who criticize her online but would probably approach her for selfies in person. “If they see you somewhere, they’ll probably come and take a selfie with you. But they are sitting behind these gadgets, cursing your parents and you. I just pity them,” she continued, lamenting that it seems absurd to generate such animosity over the little things. Sania condemned pointless poison directed at the public hero as she continued that it was preposterous: “How can you hate somebody and then harbour such ferocity for such evil for that cause and write over something as daft? It is unbelievable”.
Virat Kohli
Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has for long been talking about the necessity of maintaining good mental health at a time when sportspersons are under enormous pressure. A video of the former Indian captain went viral wherein he appealed to fans to make positive use of social media. “Use all your gadgets and use them positively. There should be no trolling, no negativity, no making fun of people,” he said, calling upon fans to have a positive mindset in cyberspace.
Kohli shared his mental health issues with Star Sports. He confessed that he was feeling “mentally down” and needed a break from cricket after the 2022 England tour. “Faking to be strong is far worse than admitting to be weak,” Kohli said, underlining the need for normalizing conversations around mental health. Even he felt isolated even in the most supporting environments and that is proof of the level of psychological pressure faced by an athlete.
Conclusion
Athletes are celebrated for their performance, but no one is immune to the mental health challenges often exacerbated by media criticism. A balanced approach is essential—combining accountability with empathy. Media, fans, and sports organizations must foster an environment where athletic talent is appreciated without compromising mental well-being. Prioritizing athletes’ psychological health over mere performance metrics could pave the way for a healthier, more human-centric sports culture.
References +
- Elite. (2024, July 26). The impact of social Media: Sports therapy & Athlete Mental Health – Shore break. Shore Break. https://shorebreakrecovery.com/impact-of-social-media-sports-therapy-athlete-mental-health/
- Staff, F. (2024, December 30). After “Clown Kohli”, Australian press slams Rohit Sharma as “Captain Cry Baby” for losing cool at Yashasvi Jaiswal. Firstpost. https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/rohit-sharma-the-west-australian-captain-cy-baby-virat-kohli-clown-13848403.html
- Pti. (2021, May 13). ‘Dealing with success was the hardest time in my life.’ The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/dealing-with-success-was-the-hardest-time-in-my-life/article34552594.ece
- Desk, E. (2024, April 21). IPL 2024: “Due to trolling, Hardik Pandya is dealing with mental health issues for sure,” says cricketer. . . Moneycontrol. https://www.moneycontrol.com/sports/cricket/ipl/ipl-2024-due-to-trolling-hardik-pandya-is-dealing-with-mental-health-issues-for-sure-says-cricketer-robin-uthappa-article-12686951.html
- NDTV on Instagram: “Virat Kohli told The Indian Express newspaper that the pressure of his career had at times had a negative impact on his mental health (Link in bio) . . #ViratKohli #Virat #Kohli #mentalhealth #cricket #Cricketer #india #batter #battinglegend #legend #kingkohli.” (n.d.). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/ndtv/p/ChZSQqCupux
- (Mirror Now on Instagram: “Former India Captain Virat Kohli Admitted That He Was Feeling ‘Mentally Down’, Which Eventually Resulted in Him Taking a Break From Cricket Following the 2022 Tour of England in July. in a Recent Interview With Broadcaster Star Sports, the 33-year-old Cricket Player Opened up About His Recent Struggles, the Reason He Needed a Break, and How He Was Trying to Faking His Intensity. ‘I Am Not Shy to Accept That I Was Feeling Mentally Down, It Is a Normal Thing to Feel but We Don’t Speak Because We Are Hesitant, We Don’t Want to Be Looked at as Mentally Weak or Weak People. Trust Me, Faking to Be Strong Is Far Worse Than Admitting to Be Weak,’ Kohli Said. . . . #MirrorNow #ViratKohli #Mentalhealth #Mentalhealthawareness #Mentalhealthmatters #Mentalhealthrecovery #Cricket #Sports #Kohli #Kingkohli,” n.d.)
- Desk, T. S. (2024, November 17). “If you keep a positive mindset. . .”: Virat Kohli asks social media fans to stop trolling. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-australia/if-you-keep-a-positive-mindset-virat-kohli-asks-social-media-fans-to-stop-trolling/articleshow/115377849.cms
- Desk, I. T. W. (2019, December 7). You deal with it with humour: Sania Mirza on social media trolls. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/tennis/story/sania-mirza-inspiration-social-media-trolling-1626175-2019-12-07
- Desk, L. (2023, May 18). KL Rahul opens up about the effects of social media trolling on mental health of athletes: ‘None of us wants to perform badly’ The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/kl-rahul-opens-up-about-the-effects-of-social-media-trolling-on-mental-health-8611698/
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