View Full Version : Zaheer's restaurant stoned, Dhoni's house under protection, Sachin fans turn - India grieves
They're passionate but surely overreact.
Fans riot, Chappell blamed as India fails
<LI class=byline>Bruce Loudon, New Delhi
March 26, 2007
DESPAIR, destruction and even death was seen in India yesterday as cricket fans expressed outrage at the country's looming early exit from the World Cup.
India's 69-run loss to Sri Lanka all but ended its chances of progressing to the Super Eight stage, prompting mob chants of "Greg hatao, desh bachao" ("Remove Greg, save the country") across several major cities as protesters named Australian coach Greg Chappell as the No.1 culprit for the national disaster. Most believe Chappell's association with Indian cricket is over.
Senior officials at the Board of Control for Cricket in India suggested Chappell's contract, which expires after the World Cup, will not be renewed.
"He was brought in to make India perform in the cup and has failed," one BCCI official said.
Already Australia's departing coach John Buchanan and former captain Steve Waugh, who has strong links to India through his charity work, have been mentioned as possible replacements.
Three deaths were reported, two from heart attacks and one the suicide of a distraught fan.
The suicide reportedly came after a man and his wife argued over the TV volume at which he watched the match. A 32-year-old heart attack victim told his wife before he collapsed: "We have lost the match, we have played miserably. It is too much."
Even by the standards of passionate Indian fans, yesterday's reaction was extraordinary.
"A billion dreams lie shattered," one of the nation's major newspapers, The Pioneer, declared across its front page.
"Mourning After, Buck-Passing Begins," the country's biggest English-language newspaper, the India Times, told its more than 10 million readers, referring to an "inflammatory" press conference given by Chappell.
"I think Indian teams definitely play under more pressure than any of the other teams because of the weight of expectations back home," said Chappell.
"I would say from the experience of the last few weeks, it definitely had its effect."
Amid the anguish, Sharad Pawar, a top cabinet minister and boss of the BCCI, expressed "strong displeasure" over the result. However, he was not prepared to blame the coach.
"If you drop catches, no strategy can work," Pawar said. "The coach's job is to coach the team but the performance on the field depends on the players."
None of that, however, was cooling cricketing passions, with fans on the rampage and police reinforcements rushed to protect the homes of players, including that of captain Rahul Dravid in Bangalore. Even the homes of former favourites Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were under siege from disappointed fans as rampaging mobs surrounded them to burn team posters and stamp on the ashes.
Before the defeat, posters declared: "When I die I will see God, today I will settle 4 Sachin."
Last night, fans said they were determined to bar him from his Mumbai home after the most prolific run-scorer in one-day history failed with the bat again.
"We are going to stop Tendulkar from returning to his home in Bandra," one militant erstwhile fan told reporters as he led a protest demonstration.
"He has dashed all our expectations and we feel ashamed of him. We will carry out demonstrations every day till he arrives in Mumbai and will demand that he vacate the place."
Groups outside Ganguly's Kolkata home shaved their heads as a sign of mourning, one declaring: "We won't let their portraits pollute any place."
In Ahmedabad, fans adorned two donkeys with portraits of the players and heaped abuse on them, while in Kanpur college girls burned effigies of the team.
In Puri, fans paraded a flock of lambs representing the team.
"We decided to parade lambs as they are considered meek," said one man. "Dravid and co meekly surrendered before the Lankan lions."
Amid the mayhem, photographs of the corpses of three people who had died were splashed across the front pages, contributing further to the passions sweeping the nation.
Armed police rushed to the home of wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's house after he was dismissed without scoring, while angry fans threw barrages of stones at a restaurant owned by bowler Zaheer Khan in Pune.
Browney2006
26 Mar 2007, 18:31
Deserve it, they are ****ing **** and always under perform.
RoosterLad
26 Mar 2007, 18:32
Did the restaurant eat itself?
TorresIsGod
26 Mar 2007, 20:43
Why do I get the feeling you're making this up?
I want a link to the articles, not just what you've typed in yourself
The Reaper
26 Mar 2007, 21:00
Why do I get the feeling you're making this up?
I want a link to the articles, not just what you've typed in yourself
It was in todays 'Australian'
TorresIsGod
26 Mar 2007, 21:12
It was in todays 'Australian'
Rubbish rag, don't believe a word of it
Freo Big Fella
26 Mar 2007, 21:16
Rubbish rag, don't believe a word of it
You're right, this type of irrationality is totally out of character for Indian Fans, they're angels.
TorresIsGod
26 Mar 2007, 21:19
You're right, this type of irrationality is totally out of character for Indian Fans, they're angels.
They wouldn't turn on Sachin, after all the highlights he has provided for the country.
Did the restaurant eat itself?
:D :thumbsu:
Ricketts
26 Mar 2007, 21:30
Why do I get the feeling you're making this up?
I want a link to the articles, not just what you've typed in yourself
They wouldn't turn on Sachin, after all the highlights he has provided for the country.
Oooh look here, another deluded Indian fan.
Mr Djibril... wake up!
raikkonen
26 Mar 2007, 21:31
If someone told me that two Asian teams would have been knocked out in the first round, and two would go through, I would have said yep, I agree. If they had said it was Pakistan and India to be knocked out...I would have told them to go f**** themself! I can believe what the article says, and I would very much hate to be in Greg Chappell's shoes right now. :(
Ricketts
26 Mar 2007, 21:31
"We are going to stop Tendulkar from returning to his home in Bandra," one militant erstwhile fan told reporters as he led a protest demonstration.
"He has dashed all our expectations and we feel ashamed of him. We will carry out demonstrations every day till he arrives in Mumbai and will demand that he vacate the place."
Bwahahahaha!! :D
Bartram_Class
26 Mar 2007, 21:32
What are the odds Chappell made sure his door was locked before going to bed?
Oh look, it's Romeo's 5th thread about Indian fan behaviour.
You'd have thought one would suffice - but no ...
apollo_creed
26 Mar 2007, 22:13
You're right, this type of irrationality is totally out of character for Indian Fans, they're angels.
here comes FBR,
for a country of billion people I don't think there's ever been a direct case of fan violence.
A few idiots acting like such is unavoidable for a country of such a large population following something so passionately.
some of the things I've seen on the streets at night IN AUSTRALIA of 5 AUSTRALIANS beating another senseless, violent, anti-social behaviour.
but this is what I love,
"We are going to stop Tendulkar from returning to his home in Bandra," one militant erstwhile fan
One person out of a billion wants to stop Sachin returning to his home.... those crazy Indians.... :rolleyes:
chapmanmagic35
26 Mar 2007, 22:20
This country is a disgrace to the world game.
belfast_bomber
26 Mar 2007, 22:22
This country is a disgrace to the world game.
and india aren't much better
BOOM BOOM
RoosterLad
26 Mar 2007, 22:43
This country is a disgrace to the world game.
Don't bring Les Murray into this.
King Elvis
26 Mar 2007, 22:50
This country is a disgrace to the world game.
Everyone is really looking forward to 2011 though, right?
The worst thing about that article is the linking of Buck or S Waugh to India as Coach - no ****ing way!
They wouldn't turn on Sachin, after all the highlights he has provided for the country.
Forgetting him being booed off the ground in Mumbai?
Forgetting him being booed off the ground in Mumbai?
Kolkatta.
After Ganguly was dropped - wasn't it?
Shmoses
27 Mar 2007, 00:49
I seriously don't understand how anyone can possibly argue that Indian fans aren't badly behaved.
Kingpin
27 Mar 2007, 01:53
They wouldn't turn on Sachin, after all the highlights he has provided for the country.
Normally I'd agree with that, but reading the floods of posts on CricBuzz chat from some of their fans the other night during the Aus-SA game they turned on him bigtime hijacking the chat, which was pretty unusual given how revered a figure he's been, especially on there.
Not representing all Indian fans I know, but it got pretty ugly and bluntly delusional after awhile.
Not much point blaming one or two individuals for the failure when as a unit, they've generally never been much chop away from their own favourable pitches.
Often times I wonder if the reaction is the result of the majority of people living in poverty angry at players who are highly paid and pampered in every way failing to bring pride to their country.
Freo Big Fella
27 Mar 2007, 09:28
I seriously don't understand how anyone can possibly argue that Indian fans aren't badly behaved.
Careful, apparently pointing out their shortcomings makes you an EVILRACISTKKKEVILSCUMBAG*Foams at mouth* regardless of evidence.
Freo Big Fella
27 Mar 2007, 09:31
here comes FBR,
Can any of you actually make a point in defense of the Indian fans without resorting to this ridiculous label?
When are you morons going to get it? I don't give a **** about the colour of their skin.
A few idiots acting like such is unavoidable for a country of such a large population following something so passionately.
:
What fantastic logic. "Your honor, I'm sorry for breaking his windows and burning down his house, but I'm a passionate cricket fan".:rolleyes:
docker_azza
27 Mar 2007, 10:35
I don't understand how anybody in their right minds could think that this behaviour from these fans is understandable let alone acceptable.
RoosterLad
27 Mar 2007, 11:00
I know azza... some on here think it's fine because they are 'passionate supporters' I am passionate but i don't smash houses and threaten to kill people. If you say the fans are being stupid you get called a racist by clowns like Nip Tuck.
I know azza... some on here think it's fine because they are 'passionate supporters' I am passionate but i don't smash houses and threaten to kill people. If you say the fans are being stupid you get called a racist by clowns like Nip Tuck.
What YOU said in that other thread was racist.
What FBF and azza are saying are completely different.
And the mud slinging continues - literally!!http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/2007032616143526-doni.jpg</IMG>
PROTEST: Indian cricket fans throw mud on an advertisement board featuring Mahendra Dhoni as a protest at the team's performance during the ICC World Cup (AJit Solanki, AP)
chapmanmagic35
27 Mar 2007, 11:49
Don't bring Les Murray into this.
:D :D :D
roostersgal4eva
27 Mar 2007, 12:01
Don't bring Les Murray into this.
BOOM TISH! :D
Seriously - Both the behaviors of India and Pakistan are a disgrace - race has nothing to do with being idiots
BOOM TISH! :D
Seriously - Both the behaviors of India and Pakistan are a disgrace - race has nothing to do with being idiots
"Some" of their fans you mean.
cold toaster
27 Mar 2007, 12:35
Does Romeo have some sort of problem with Indians?
How many threads is this now?
Ricketts
27 Mar 2007, 13:15
Does Romeo have some sort of problem with Indians?
How could you not have a problem with them. Disgusting behaviour and embarassing for us to be playing in a competition with them.
Ricketts
27 Mar 2007, 13:17
And the mud slinging continues - literally!!http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/2007032616143526-doni.jpg</IMG>
PROTEST: Indian cricket fans throw mud on an advertisement board featuring Mahendra Dhoni as a protest at the team's performance during the ICC World Cup (AJit Solanki, AP)
had to see this again. :D
For everyone here.
Do you think the Indians act like animals and belong in Zoos?
It seems you do.
So did Gibbs.
But Gibbs is a racist? :D
cold toaster
27 Mar 2007, 14:16
How could you not have a problem with them. Disgusting behaviour and embarassing for us to be playing in a competition with them.
We're playing in a competition with crazy Indian fans? :confused:
RoosterLad
27 Mar 2007, 14:22
We're playing in a competition with crazy Indian fans? :confused:
Bigfooty vs cricbuzz in the Forum World Cup
ManWithNoName
27 Mar 2007, 15:13
"Some" of their fans you mean.
About 10 idiots at a test vs South Africa was enough for you, and half the cricketing world, to label us racists who need to control their crowds.
apollo_creed
27 Mar 2007, 15:36
Can any of you actually make a point in defense of the Indian fans without resorting to this ridiculous label?
It's as clear as day Pauline.
When are you morons going to get it? I don't give a **** about the colour of their skin.
So what have the Indian fans actually done?
A few overreact after a loss. fine. of course it's wrong. I'm certainly not arguing otherwise.
What fantastic logic. "Your honor, I'm sorry for breaking his windows and burning down his house, but I'm a passionate cricket fan".:rolleyes:
this is where your lack of intelligence is exposed.
as I said, there isn't anybody on here who is defending what they're doing.
my point, which I thought was clear obviously flew right over your head.
They have ONE BILLION people, there is crime, delusional, irrational behaviour in EVERY COUNTRY.
Look at many of their living standards, unlike us in a country of 21 million people and an excess of things to do they have cricket in their lives and little much else.
You are going to get in an extreme population like that, in such a culture a few people overreacting, it's unfortunately inevitable.
But the actions of a few in a country of a BILLION should not lead to racial categorisations which is precisely what you're doing. And you know it. Denial doesn't help anything.
Should all Australians be categorised because of what Martin Bryant did?
or those Sydney race riots? (far worse than what the Indians are doing with their reaction to the cricket)
or do you just have a selective memory?
They have one billion people. They are more passionate cricket fans than anyone. Many of them have little else/noting else going for them in their lives. There's never been a specific case of violence towards a cricketer.
apollo_creed
27 Mar 2007, 15:42
About 10 idiots at a test vs South Africa was enough for you, and half the cricketing world, to label us racists who need to control their crowds.
There's never been a problem with Australian crowds who are generally well behaved. (you'll get drunken, anarchists but there's little that can be done about such)
There is a clear problem with racism but that doesn't categorise Australian people in general. It's an individual problem. Of course it's a minority and as long as those people are being appropriate dealt with/banned from grounds then everything's fine.
The same problem with these Indian people. A very small percentage of them are overly passionate, they overreact.
The problems are similar even if they cover different issues and take place in different settings.
I only post in this thread because I find their behaviour perversely funny. Undoubtedly one generalises if they tar all Indians with the same brush based on the actions of some hysterical fans who clearly overract. Nevertheless some, or even many of their barrackers behave in a manner contrary to the spirit of fans and one not witnessed by those supporting teams outside the sub-continent. And that observation is incontrovertible.
apollo_creed
27 Mar 2007, 15:45
How could you not have a problem with them. Disgusting behaviour and embarassing for us to be playing in a competition with them.
They could say precisely the same about Australia and the racially abusive minority.
And I'm not sure what the actions of a few fans (whether they be Australian or Indian) have to do with the cricket teams.
apollo_creed
27 Mar 2007, 15:49
I only post in this thread because I find their behaviour perversely funny. Undoubtedly one generalises if they tar all Indians with the same brush based on the actions of some hysterical fans who clearly overract. Nevertheless some, or even many of their barrackers behave in a manner contrary to the spirit of fans and one not witnessed by those supporting teams outside the sub-continent. And that observation is incontrovertible.
In all countries there are certain vocal minorities of fans who behave in manners unbefitting to the spirit of the game.
Such behaviour comes in different forms.
Obviously we've seen the ugly side of the Indians in recent days,
Australian fans throwing things at people from 20 rows back, generally being allowed to consume too much alcohol. That's a big problem.
Throwing things onto the ground, which isn't just an occurance in Australia but happens every now and then in most countries. And obviously the gutless racist taunts of a few.
I must say though Indian fans throwing mud at a big banner of the model Dhoni. That's funny and I don't see much wrong with that action specifically.
In all countries there are certain vocal minorities of fans who behave in manners unbefitting to the spirit of the game.
Such behaviour comes in different forms.
Obviously we've seen the ugly side of the Indians in recent days,
Australian fans throwing things at people from 20 rows back, generally being allowed to consume too much alcohol. That's a big problem.
Throwing things onto the ground, which isn't just an occurance in Australia but happens every now and then in most countries. And obviously the gutless racist taunts of a few.
I must say though Indian fans throwing mud at a big banner of the model Dhoni. That's funny and I don't see much wrong with that action specifically.
Yes the Dhoni thing is funny, that's why I posted it.
BTW Indian fans throw things on the ground in addition to at their players and the players' private possessions. Why do you think that for years now the grounds have been cordoned off with high barbed wire? I notice no such restraints border the arena in countries outside the sub-continent.
Ricketts
27 Mar 2007, 19:54
I notice no such restraints border the arena in countries outside the sub-continent.
yeah funny that...
The Majestic
27 Mar 2007, 23:17
We're playing in a competition with crazy Indian fans? :confused:
I hear the Indian Cricket fans are planning on planning in the next World Cup, they think they can do better.
Browney2006
28 Mar 2007, 07:36
Does anyone else picture all these idiot people running around the streets of India, but then as soon as they saw one of these cricketers they would either run away or run up and praise them? Just seems like the Indian thing to do.
Does anyone else picture all these idiot people running around the streets of India, but then as soon as they saw one of these cricketers they would either run away or run up and praise them? Just seems like the Indian thing to do.
Funny - then again, I suppose can be said about internet-heroes like yourself who was a keen critic of the English team during the Ashes.