Legends of cricket have expressed their dismay at the behaviour of the crowd during India’s defeat to South Africa on Monday.
Fans threw bottles onto the field, forcing play to be suspended for an hour, as the hosts were soundly beaten in the second Twenty20 International, meaning the tourists clinched the series.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was strongest in his condemnation of the 'disgusting scenes', suggesting the Cuttack venue should be banned from hosting international matches.
“So many venues in India…. East punishment…. Don’t let them host internationals for a few years…,” Vaughan wrote on Twitter.
Disgusting scenes in Cuttack.... So many Venues in India.... Easy punishment...Don't let them host internationals for a few years...#SAvIND— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 5, 2015
India greats VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh also had their say.
“The crowds may be upset with the way India played this evening but the way they are behaving is very disappointing,” wrote Laxman, who played 134 Tests and 86 ODIs for his country.”
The crowds may be upset with the way India played this evening but the way they are behaving is very disappointing. #IndvsSA— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 5, 2015
Yuvraj, a veteran of 40 Tests, 293 ODIs and 40 T20 Internationals, added: “What a shame! When we win all is good when we loosing [sic] is that how u behave?”
What a shame ! When we win all is good when we loosing is that how u behave ? Pl show some respect to your players and respect the game— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 5, 2015
Pragyan Ojha is another India international who hails from the state of Odisha, where the ugly scenes unfolded.
“Sad to see the reputation of Odisha brought down because of few morons,” he wrote.
Sad to see the reputation of Odisha brought down because of few morons. #INDvSA #disgusting
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) October 5, 2015
Meanwhile Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain, also hit out at the fans.
“Really sad and disappointing behaviour from fans in cuttack tonight!,” Smith wrote.
“Scenes that should not be seen at sporting grounds.”
Really sad and disappointing behaviour from fans in cuttack tonight! Scenes that should not be seen at sporting grounds. #SAvsIND— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) October 5, 2015
Sunil Gavaskar joined the chorus of condemnation, also calling for the venue to be banned from hosting matches, and for a financial penalty.
“There has to be a deterrent, you cannot allow that to happen,” Gavaskar told NDTV. “I would imagine that the next time they are due for an international game, that should not be given to them.
“Maybe it will be another two years before Cuttack gets a game, but that game should not be given to them and it should be announced that it has not been given to them because of crowd behaviour.”
Gavaskar also said the annual subsidy provided to the Orissa Cricket Association, the host body, by the Indian board (BCCI) should be stopped.
“Quite clearly a strong message has to be sent,” he said.
South Africa's T20 captain Faf du Plessis, who turns out for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, said it had saddened him.
“I have been playing in India for the last five to six years and never ever have I witnessed such an incident,” he told reporters.
“I don't think it's nice for cricket. Hopefully, it's the first and last time I'm seeing such a thing.”
India's limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played down the bottle-throwing, saying it never threatened the players.
“Frankly, from a safety point of view, I don’t think there was a very serious threat," Dhoni said at the post-match briefing.
“We didn't play well - at times you get reactions like this.
“We should not read too much into it.”
- With inputs from AFP
