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Another NRI and cricket fan, Anant Agarwal said that the team’s performance was extremely disappointing and he was sure a lot of people would be sharing the same sentiment. He blamed the players’ diverted concentration in other things.

Indian cricket fans who flew to West Indies were equally disappointed by the team’s performance. Isaac, an Indian citizen came from Washington DC to watch the game.

“Disband this team. We don’t want big names, we want players, who perform,” Messages like these packed with intense hate, anger and frustration can be found all over India. When it comes to football, the English are the most notorious and when it comes to cricket, Indian fans are the most notorious. Cricket is the most popular game in India. Unfortunately, India could not even make it to the second round in the ongoing ICC World Cup tournament. The Indian Cricket team’s shameful defeat to under-dog Bangladesh upset the Indians very much and after losing to Sri Lanka on 23^rd March, the Indian cricket team is almost out of the tournament. They would enter super eight if only Bangladesh is beaten by Bermuda in their upcoming match. 

After losing the match to Sri Lanka, the dressing room was very silent. There were only few players. Most of them were crying. According to Indian coach, Greg Chappell, the Indian cricket players were under serious mental pressure that was built after its defeat with Bangladesh cricket team.

Immediate reaction of the fans:

With great hopes that their team would come up with a victory, the people glued themselves in front of the television all through Friday night. After the “DISASTROUS” performance, they came out of their homes and started chanting slogans. Varanasi, Kolkata, Indore, Delhi, Allahabad, Jammu, Kanpur, Patna, Indore, Jalandhar, Pune, Assam every where in India fans reacted violently. Such protest reminded me of colonial India. Angry fans brought out mock funerals of Indian cricket team, and burnt players’ effigies. They defaced posters of the players and enchanted slogans against cricket coach Greg Chapell, BCCI president Sharad Pawar.

From various places news of angry cricket fans attacking players’ residences came up and the government has provided security to some of the players. Looking at the violent behavior, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, urged the people to restrain their anger and calm down. She said that they should accept defeat like a true sportsman in every game; be it national or international. She requested the people not to bring out processions and hurt the families of the cricketers. 

The news papers of the country heavily criticized Indian team’s performance. Dissatisfaction and anger was found in the comments of former Indian cricketers as well. Former Indian team captain, Kapil Dev said that it was shameful that the Indian team has to depend on Bermuda to get into the second round. He believes that the existing players should be removed with young players.According to Sunil Gavaskar, India was pathetic and do not deserve to remain in the tournament.

Cricket analyst, Prem Panicker’s comment was a bit exceptional. According to him, it was a lesson for Indian cricket team and BCCI which they have not learned till now. Lack of good bowlers in the team has been the major cause of defeat. A team consisting of seven batsmen is no good. The lesson has been ignored before and this time the history just repeated.

Sharad Pawar, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), blasted the cricketers by saying that the team has disappointed him and the nation. They provided maximum facilities to the players and expectations were high.

It is a sad scene all over India but there is victory and defeat in every game. It is time, Indian people should think about their behavior. Not only they damage properties inside their country but derogate India’s image to the world.

Useful Links:

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/fans-in-ny-unhappy-with-team-india/36848-2.html

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/protestors-burn-effigies-deface-posters/36825-3.html

http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/krishnamacharisrikkant/247/36287/no-excuses-team-india-was-horrible.html

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070325/sports/sports5.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6490701.stm?ls

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200703241860.htm

http://www.indiaenews.com/sports/20070324/44588.htm

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=mar2507/at01

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200703242171.htm

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200703251326.htm

http://worldcup.indiatimes.com/Dejected_Indian_team_makes_departure_plans/articleshow/1806668.cms