The Australian cricketer's social media post created a bit of furore amongst fans.
A post on Instagram by Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has fans in a big split over social media, with some accusing the prominent fast-bowler of racism while others felt for him as his joke on a Sri Lankan security guard got misinterpreted.
The post involved this security guard following Cummins’ teammate David Warner constantly on the field, so much so that he got deemed Warner’s “shadow” by the Aussie quick.
But the joke got misunderstood after one of the fans on Twitter took a screengrab from the clip and others assumed Cummins’ remark was on the black shades of the individual involved.
Later, another fan posted the entire clip of what Pat Cummins meant and a sense of realisation finally kicked in that the “shadow” joke was based on how the security guard had been following Warner, and not his shade.
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Pat Cummins’ “shadow” joke post gets misconstrued for racism
Given the times, with cricket globally in a quest to fight racism and players leading the bandwagon to overcome societal barriers, the screengrab Pat Cummins’ post instantly grabbed the fans’ attention and attracted immediate criticism from a section.
Racist asshole @patcummins30 pic.twitter.com/hvTWUsnHmM
— bull king 🦍 (@PaneerAndPullUp) June 12, 2022
But the emergence of the entire clip afterwards clarified things on the issue and it became more apparent that the joke was never intended on the security guard’s shades; instead, it was about his duties following Warner around the field.
Internet doesn’t always show you the actual truth !
Cummins was never a racist! pic.twitter.com/wrkWiIMjnf— ° (@anubhav__tweets) June 12, 2022
The screengrab and the clip from the ground in Pallekele attracted mixed reactions over social media, while some also suggested Pat Cummins to issue a quick clarification on the matter.
Here is how they reacted:
Racist aussies as usual https://t.co/oM1S4km9RJ
— yuvi. (@Yuvi_FCB) June 12, 2022
What’s wrong with people ? Do they even comprehend the meaning of being someone’s “shadow” ? Trying to unnecessarily create a controversy about a light hearted post. Just unbelievable !! 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/7TuuguHevh
— Moinak Das (@d_moinak) June 12, 2022
Social media is a funny place. You guys can take anything and everything out of proportion to slander and abuse people. https://t.co/aYSM0Jnyst
— Mayank (@ImMayankB) June 12, 2022
Writing on climate change surely portrays you as an intellectual but surely doesn’t show whether you even have two braincells @patcummins30.
Ugly, to say the least.
And on top of that Warner has also re-shared it with multiple laughing emojis. https://t.co/CwmWsu8OqF
— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) June 12, 2022
How about seeing the full story of Cummins kuch bhi tweet krdete hai https://t.co/JLto8NPFnh
— • (@manan_717) June 12, 2022
Social media is a funny place. You guys can take anything and everything out of proportion to slander and abuse people. https://t.co/aYSM0Jnyst
— Mayank (@ImMayankB) June 12, 2022