‘Think before you tweet,’ by former US president Barack Obama remains the most useful advice in current times. Unfortunately, not many individuals seem to have paid attention to Obama’s words and are guilty of social media misdemeanours. Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is the latest to join the list of celebrities and their hara-kiri Twitter moments. The young cricketer has landed in a soup courtesy a distasteful (read: mindless) tweet against Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Hardik Pandya had allegedly posted a hurtful comment on BR Ambedkar on December 26, 2017, that has led a special SC/ST court to act against him. The court on Wednesday directed police to register a case against Hardik and it looks like troubled days ahead for the Indian cricketer.

The previous year, Pandya had allegedly tweeted, “Which Ambedkar ??? The one who drafted across law and constitution or the one who spread the disease called reservation in the country.” According to TOI reports, DR Meghwal, the petitioner came to know about the post in January through social media. Finding it extremely derogatory and insulting not only towards BR Ambedkar, the architect of Constitution but also the Constitution of India. “By doing so, he has committed a serious crime and hurt the sentiments of my entire community,” Meghwal was quoted saying before adding that the cricketer should be given adequate and suitable punishment for his “crass act”.

Posting the first thought that crosses our mind is an irresponsible, dangerous, yet a common behaviour witnessed on the social media platforms. And, cricketers just like influential figures from other fields are found to be regular offenders. We take a look at some of the most controversial moments on the micro-blogging platform thanks to cricketers who should have read their posts once again before hitting ‘Tweet’ button!

1. R Ashwin’s Butthurt Reaction to Herschelle Gibbs’ Friendly Jibe

Herschelle Gibbs and R Ashwin (File Photo)

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has been a notorious Twitterati and we have given up on him. However, the 31-year-old crossed all limits during a ‘friendly banter’ involving former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs. The Proteas cricketer had poked fun at Ashwin’s sprinting skills after the Indian player posted a video promoting a shoe by Nike. Ashwin in an attempt to give it back to Gibbs posted a tweet in reference to South African cricketer’s alleged involvement in match-fixing! Yes, R Ashwin's tweet read, "Surely not as fast as you did, mate, unfortunately, I wasn't as blessed as you were. But I was blessed with a wonderfully ethical mind not to fix games which put food on my plate." We could not believe it nor did Herschelle Gibbs who ended the conversation by replying, "Can’t take a joke i see anyway moving swiftly on.." While Ashwin deleted the controversial tweet, the butthurt cricketer was too snob to apologise or even acknowledge he was at fault.

2. Paul Harris Calling Virat Kohli a ‘Clown’ on Twitter

Former South African pacer Paul Harris called Indian cricket team captain a ‘clown’ on Twitter. He made this remark after bowler Kagiso Rabada was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for two Tests (now cleared to play) against Australia in the ongoing home series. Rabada was found guilty of "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with a player" after he leaned his shoulder against Steve Smith post the Aussie captain’s dismissal in the second Test. Finding the two-match ban harsh, Harris dragged Kohli’s name in the matter suggesting ICC did not question Indian skipper’s aggressive behaviour. "I watched Kohli behave like a clown for three tests here in SA and nothing. Seems to me that @ICC either have an issue with Rabada or with the Proteas in general," he tweeted. But obviously, this did not go down too well with Kohli and Indian cricket fans.

3. When Michael Vaughan Decided to Change Indian Flag!

Former England captain Michael Vaughn is another chap who falls into the category of celebrity troll perfectly. While the likes of uncalled online polls on MS Dhoni vs Jos Buttler is plain annoying, his attempt to insult the Indian national flag was anything but light humour. After England registered 3-1 Test series victory over Indian in 2014, Michael Vaughn mocked Indian cricket team and the country by posting a white flag with the caption, “The New Indian cricket flag....” After facing the wrath of cricketing fans, Vaughn justified it to be in reference to Team India’s abject surrender in the series and that he had used it for other nations as well. *Slow Clap*.

4. Mushfiqur Rahim and His Sadistic Pleasure in Team India’s Defeat

Mushfiqur Rahim poking fun at Indian Cricket Team (Photo Credits: Twitter/Facebook)

Way before Mushfiqur Rahim became (in)famous for his Nagin dance, the baby-faced Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman was slammed for posting a sadistic tweet against Indian Cricket Team during 2016 ICC World Twenty20. He posted (and later deleted) tweets expressing his happiness on India’s loss to West Indies in the semi-finals. The first post had a picture of then Indian skipper MS Dhoni with the caption, “Happiness is this....Now i can sleep much better Windies u beauty!!!!” The second tweet read, “Happiness is this....!!!!!! #ha ha ha..!!!! India lost in the semi-final,” along with his smiling selfie. Much sportsmanship displayed!

With celebrities getting more and more vocal on the social media, it is not a rare occurrence to find something unsuitable posted from their handles. What these celebs are forgetting is that despite these tweets and posts being their personal opinion, they got to be responsible as they are also influencers with a massive following. A thorough read, with a calm mind, would do no harm. It is absolutely fine to think before tweeting rather go back and delete it!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 22, 2018 12:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).