India vs England: 'Has Anushka Sharma started playing for us?'; Twitter slams BCCI for posting official team photo with actress

An image of Indian captain Virat Kohli along with his wife Anushka Sharma have managed to create yet another social media storm after Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the photograph on its official Twitter handle with the Indian cricket team at the High Commission of India in London.

It is, however, not yet clear as to how Anushka is still travelling with Kohli and the team, given the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s rule that bars player’s wives and girlfriends from accompanying them until the end of the third Test against England, NDTV reported.

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

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 7, 2018

The presence of the Anushka at the event led to a lot of backlash on social media, with many criticising her for getting ‘special treatment’ since she was allowed to break the BCCI rule and attend the official event.

Why is Anushka here lmao?
She is at the center while the vice captain is at the end lol whatta joke

— Od (@odshek) August 8, 2018

Why is Anoushka standing in first row ? If wives are allowed than all players should have them in this pic. Not great signs

— Harkamal Sandhu (@sandhuharry80) August 7, 2018

Many also raised the argument as to why Anushka was the only partner present on the occasion.

Difference between family photo and team photo. This is supposed to be a team event not family function.

— Bharath Aiyanna (@bharathaiyanna) August 7, 2018

why is anushka sharma there? she's not a part of team india. this isn't acceptable

— ML (@FutbolML) August 7, 2018

Sir, The problem here is that bcci has banned family members after the test series started. Why special privileges to someone?

— सुयश स्वरूप సుయాష్ స్వరూప్ 🏏🇮🇳🕉️卐🚩📽️ (@sscomp32) August 8, 2018

Omg😲😲...when Anushka Sharma started playing for indian team??🤔

— Vani (@Vani66100016) August 7, 2018

@bcci has lost the little credibility it had after posting this picture!

— Ruchi Pradhan (@RuchiLee) August 7, 2018

India lost the first Test against England by 31 runs at the Edgbaston. Chasing 194 to win, the visitors were all out for 162 on the fourth day of the opening Test. First-innings centurion Kohli again top-scored for India, with the skipper making a valiant 51. Anushka was also spotted in the stands during the series opener in Birmingham.

The second Test starts on Thursday.