India women’s cricketer Pooja Vastrakar issued an apology after she shared a now-deleted Instagram story mocking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the ruling political party (March 29).

Vastrakar, who has played four Tests, 30 ODIs and 58 T20Is, shared a post on Instagram, related to politicians of the ruling party – the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).

The post had morphed images of eleven politicians, including Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, also the father of BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

The post was deleted soon after it started going viral on social media. Pooja later issued an apology and said her phone was not in her possession when the post was shared.

“Hi. It has come to my attention that a highly objectionable image was posted from my Instagram account,” Vastrakar’s second story read. “This happened at a time that my phone was not in my possession. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Honorable Prime Minister and sincerely apologise for the hurt this has caused.”

Vastrakar played for Mumbai Indians in the recent Women’s Premier League, picking five wickets in nine games.

Cricketer Pooja Vastrakar's insta story..

Before after pic.twitter.com/OUnEFf224M

— Mayank (@MayankJaniMJ) March 29, 2024

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