New Delhi: Shrestha Iyer, sister of Punjab Kings captain and India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyerhas deleted her viral social media video after receiving threatening messages, saying the “light-hearted” meaning was widely misunderstood.Controversy erupted after Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to rain. After the abandoned game, Shrestha posted a clip on Instagram joking that his brother’s team had “gifted” a point to KKR.“Sade Punjabiyan da dil bada hota hai, lo, data ek point (We Punjabis have a big heart, so, we gave you a point),” he said in the now-deleted video, which quickly gained attention online and drew mixed reactions.‘Distressed by receiving threatening messages’On Thursday, Shrestha announced that he had removed the video, citing the nature of the backlash it received.“I’ve decided to remove my recent video because it seems to have been misunderstood by some people. It was meant as a lighthearted joke, but I respect that not everyone saw it that way. However, it has been quite upsetting to receive not only negative but a few threatening messages,” she wrote on Instagram.He clarified that the decision was not an admission of wrongdoing. “I’m not removing this video because I believe I’ve done something wrong, but because I respect my brother and his team, and I don’t want this place to be filled with negativity,” she added, urging people to be “kinder and more understanding.”‘No Hate, Just Support’Earlier, Shrestha had already addressed the backlash, insisting that his comments were not aimed at Kolkata Knight Riders.“Guys, I don’t understand why the hate is being spread, it’s just a game. The videos are just for fun, and I’m here to help my brother. I will continue to do so. No hate to any team,” he said.“I understand the aggression. I wasn’t trolling anybody. It was my way of celebrating… No personal attacks, just chill. Relax, guys,” she added.The rain-affected match at Eden Gardens was abandoned after just 3.4 overs, with both teams a point apiece.
