A Storm in Twitter

Twitter is many things: an amazing tool to share ideas, opinions, have wonderful conversations with various people from around the world. More importantly, it is also the playground of criticism, where everyone is a critic. If there is anything that Indians are supremely sensitive about, it is cricket. So when former England fast bowler Darren Gough, in a spirit of triumphalism after his team's recent demolition of Australia, said that England can beat the Indian cricket team "every day of the week", not many Indian fans were amused.

Darren Gough found himself facing angry Indian cricket fans on Twitter

Darren Gough, whose Twitter handle is @DGoughie, received a barrage of angry questions from Indian fans who seemed to consider it a matter of national pride to back their cricket team. Indeed so angry or caught up with arguing the strength of the Indian team over the England team were the fans, that Darren Gough soon became a 'trending topic' on twitter.

Gough took the time to explain his opinion to Indian fans: 'In England I'd back this team to beat anybody' he tweeted in reply to a fan. He also clarified the reasoning behind his statement: 'For all you Indian friends ,India are a fantastic team especially on the batting dept. My opinion is in English conditions England will win sorry.'

As is usual with conversations on twitter, especially emotional conversations, arguments often turn abusive and personal. To his credit, Gough responded to many an abusive comment sent his way by just chiding over-emotional fans. He tweeted 'Indian fans nothing wrong with been passionate but don't get personal let's wait and see till next year Happy new year lol'

And there indeed lies the crux of the problem with arguing on Twitter. Voices of sanity tend to drown in the chaos of abuse. Many cricketers, both retired and current, are on twitter. This  makes it an unbelievable opportunity for the cricket fan to interact with his/her idol. Such an opportunity could not have even been dreamt of earlier! Twitter has made the world even smaller and sending a message to one's favourite player, is just 140 characters away. Spoiling such an opportunity by abusing or sending hurtful personal comments to someone with a differing opinion, is in nobody's interest. 

As for Gough, his sense of humour is very much intact: 'Even after all the stick from India, celebrating new year with 25 people at mine with an Indian delivery from my local restaurant. Awesome.'


Recommended reading:
England can beat India 'every day of the week': Gough
Harbhajan blasts Darren Gough