A heartbreaking run-out involving Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies has ignited a firestorm of controversy on social media, with fans accusing Gill of jealousy toward his opening partner. Jaiswal, who resumed on 173 and appeared poised for his third Test double-century, was dismissed for 175 after a miscommunication during a quick single off Jayden Seales' bowling. The left-hander punched the ball to mid-off and set off, but Gill hesitated, sending him back too late. Tagenarine Chanderpaul's swift throw and Tevin Imlach's direct hit found Jaiswal short of his ground, leaving the young opener visibly frustrated as he slammed his helmet in disappointment.

The incident, captured in viral clips showing Jaiswal animatedly gesturing at Gill with "It was my call," quickly escalated online. A section of supporters branded Gill "selfish" and "jealous", drawing parallels to past fan rivalries between icons like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Posts flooded platforms like X, with one user stating, "You can trust an enemy, but you can never trust Shubman Gill as a batsman. He is one of the jealous persons going around." Another echoed, "Yashasvi Jaiswal got out because of Shubman Gill [who] first called him and then said no," amplifying the narrative of deliberate sabotage. This backlash intensified despite Jaiswal's post-match composure, where he dismissed the mishap as "part of the game" during a broadcast interview. The episode underscores the intense scrutiny faced by young Indian cricketers amid the team's transitional phase.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra swiftly condemned the toxic speculation in a YouTube video, urging fans to cease the "nonsensical theories". "Gill ran for Nitish Reddy, but not for Jaiswal. Why? Because he is jealous—what? You guys did the same thing with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as well," Chopra remarked, recalling how the duo celebrated together during the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup triumphs. He highlighted a dressing room clip of Gill and Jaiswal sharing a light-hearted chat immediately after the dismissal, emphasising their camaraderie. "They are friends; they play for the same team. Irrespective of whose fault it was, even Jaiswal said such things happen," the 48-year-old added, pointing to the pair's shared journey in India's revamped batting lineup.

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Chopra's critique extends to the broader culture of "fan armies" fostering division. "Once these fan armies are created, they actually start fighting as if it's a war. They make it seem like these players are playing against each other, not with each other," he said. With Gill and Jaiswal's international careers just beginning—Jaiswal's knock marked his seventh Test century before age 24, equalling Graeme Smith's record—Chopra called for positivity. "Gill and Jaiswal's journey has just started. Let's write a different story instead of indulging in fan wars and trolling. Let's try and take Indian cricket forward." Despite the off-field drama, India declared at 518/5, with Gill unbeaten on 129, positioning them strongly in the World Test Championship cycle. As the series concludes, the focus shifts to unity amid growing expectations for the duo's leadership in future campaigns.

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