'Indian cricket's First Lady' Anushka Sharma caught in Twitter storm after posing with 'Team India'

London: The Indian cricket team, which is currently in England, visited the high commission of India in London on Tuesday.

Led by Virat Kohli, Team India posed for a photograph with the Indian diplomats in the UK. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted the photo on their official Twitter account on Wednesday, only to invite the wrath of millions of netizens.

The photograph shows the Indian cricket team posing with members of the support staff and Indian diplomats. From the captain to the coach, everyone is seen neatly dressed in matching attire.

#TeamIndia members at the High Commission of India in London. pic.twitter.com/tUhaGkSQfe

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 7, 2018

What evoked fury among people was the presence of Anushka Sharma, leading Bollywood actress and Virat Kohli’s wife. Sharma stood in the middle of the photograph, looking stunning in Indian attire – yet sticking out like a sore thumb among the team.

Twitterati exploded as they questioned Sharma’s presence in the photograph – which was supposed to be a formal meet-and-greet involving the cricket team and the officials. People also wondered why she was the only spouse present in the photograph and many deemed it unfair.

Here's what a few Twitter users had to say: 

Errrr excuse me but why is #AnushkaSharma the only cricketer’s wife at this official event??!! Yeah I know she’s a big deal in #Bollywood and the captain’s wife. But she ain’t an official part of the Indian cricket team.

Bad move @BCCI and the Indian High Commission, London. pic.twitter.com/DmJMCr8ggQ

— chatweet (@chatak) August 8, 2018

If i am not wrong bcci says wifes not allowed in test matches then WTF anushka is Doing there ? and where are other players wifes 😦 rules should apply on everyone #ENGvIND #AnushkaSharma 😒😒😒 pic.twitter.com/EZ49DvaJHx

— 🇮🇳 SAHIL SABHARWAL (@mahi_da_fan7) August 8, 2018

But why not anyone else wife is not there
Is it just because Anushka is a public figure in India?

— Dibyaratnam Samarlia (@jugalratnam) August 8, 2018

But why not anyone else wife is not there
Is it just because Anushka is a public figure in India?

— Dibyaratnam Samarlia (@jugalratnam) August 8, 2018

Thanks @BCCI for officially announcing Anushka Sharma as a member of Team India 👏👏after all if your hubby is world's best batsman then you entitle for such privilege😏from now onwards #TeamIndia = #ViratKohli n #AnushkaSharma n they'll win matches for you🙄 #BCCI

— P a l l a v i (@pallzie) August 8, 2018

It may be noted that the BCCI had asked the wives and girlfriends of the Indian cricketers to stay away till the first two Tests. According to the board's new rule,  a 14-day window was provided to the WAGs to stay with their star husbands and boyfriends, after the start of a tour. But the captain's wife seems to be an exception! 

India will play the second Test of the series against England, starting from on Thursday at the Lord's.