The second T20 International played between South Africa and India at Barabati Ground in Cuttack, witnessed a shameful act from spectators when audience of a particular section in ground started throwing bottles onto the field. The act interrupted match for nearly around 50 minutes. The match finally resulted in a six-wicket defeat to team India, hereby sealing the series with the lead of 2-0.
The bottle-throwing episode came during the inning break – India was bowled out on its lowest T20 score of 92 runs, while playing on a home ground. The whole episode was repeated in 11th over of South Africa’s chase and play was stopped for 27 minutes, which resumed after security personnel surrounded the boundary. The disgraceful act was repeated third time in 14th over and yet again plays interrupted and player left the ground.
Though it was the first incident for new BCCI President, Shashank Manohar, but it is not new for the country, as similar incidents have happened during semifinal match of 1996 World Cup and even in 1999 Asian Test Championship, both played at Eden Gardens.
Cuttack crowd was expecting a good and competitive match between both the teams, but team India unfortunately did not perform according to their expectations. It can be justified on the grounds of entertainment perspectives, but on the perspective of game and its dignity it must be considered as one of the most shameful act.
Sunil Gavaskar, as a sports person slammed Cuttack crowd in an interview given to national media channel, saying that crowd has no business to throw rubbish on the ground during the play. He added that do the people throw valuables when the team performs well? He also blamed Odisha police for their incapability during the incident.
Ex-Captain of England Team, Michael Vaughan has tweeted that, such venues must not be included during any international matches, considering it to be a very easy and fair punishment.
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
This is a case of utmost shame, that in a country like India where cricket is among the most loved game, the ones watching the match do not even pay bare minimum respect towards the dignity of the game.
