From crackers on his b'day to Shivam Dube celebrating Diwali with firecrackers, Twitter schools Virat Kohli

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli was trolled and slammed on Twitter over his 'anti-cracker' Diwali message after videos of his birthday celebration in UAE and photos of his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate Shivam Dube celebrating the festival with firecrackers went viral.

Kohli, who is currently in Australia for the two-month-long series, had taken to social media to post a video message for his fans on Diwali. 

In his video, the skipper asked people to avoid bursting crackers to protect the environment and reduce pollution. However, his message offended many as people reacted furiously and questioned him about his b'day celebrations.

Happy Birthday Captain Kohli

Happy faces and positive vibes. The RCB family put together a special video to celebrate King Kohli’s birthday at 12 midnight.#PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/ViaI9eItDV

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 5, 2020

In the video, shared by RCB's official handle, crackers can be seen being burst in the background right before Kohli and Anushka cut cake together. The video was widely shared on Twitter with fans terming Kohli a 'hypocrite' for not practising what he has been preaching. 

While the captain was widely panned by fans for his "forced wokeness", Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube became Twitter's ammo to fire further shots at RCB leader Kohli after the cricketer had shared a few snaps of him celebrating the festival with crackers.

Wishing everyone a very happy Diwali & a prosperous new year ahead... pic.twitter.com/g0lZPzfJlY

— Shivam Dube (@IamShivamDube) November 14, 2020

Here is how fans reacted:

Mr. @imVkohli we are your fan ...fan of your game fan for your contribution for the nation....but please please don't be hypocrite and don't preach us ......on Cramer bursting or on our any holy festivals....mind it...https://t.co/EFKZiZrj4U

— Jitendra H.chopra (@jhchopra) November 14, 2020

Namaste, virat “hypocrite “ Kohli we don’t need you to preach about what has to be and what not to be done this deepavali. Stop being a woke n be a man. Not just somebody’s husband https://t.co/WOX4JghosG

— Truth First (@indian___first) November 14, 2020

Virat : You are dropped https://t.co/U34Be3BtDz

— Mitthu Marshal (@nikhilbhaijaan) November 15, 2020

This is why rcb is not winning trophies. He's not following what captain says. https://t.co/RB7W5Aksub

— daddy hundred (@daddyhundred) November 15, 2020

Virat unfollowed dubey now wtf https://t.co/OK9SmYKkDw

— Aryan (@warriorizback_) November 15, 2020

Virat: Don't burn crackers.

His most favourite all-rounder: https://t.co/FIc81rgZ8e

— Anuj (@TweeteRai_) November 14, 2020

Virat Kohli when he meets Dube https://t.co/W9AyZaalrm pic.twitter.com/zcAJ6e5Egf

— Anup R (@YNWA_AR) November 14, 2020

Some also pointed out how crackers have always been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other cricket tournaments where they are used extensively after a final. Some trolls also targeted Kohli's wife Anushka over his message. 

Kohli will be seen in action for Team India in the upcoming series against Australia from November 27. The Indian players had their first outdoor training session in Sydney on Thursday. They are gearing up for the lengthy tour which consists of three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Test matches.

Kohli however, will not be part of all four Tests and will return home after the first Test to be with his family and wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child in January. He has been granted paternity leave by the BCCI and will play only the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.