Dhoni Plays Down Crowd’s Behaviour but Gavaskar Slams Organisers

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has even demanded that the venue not be given an international game for 2 years

Water bottles thrown by spectators lie on the ground during the second Twenty20 in Cuttack. (Photo: AP)

India’s batsmen had managed to post a collective 92 runs on the board and the second T20 in Cuttack was well on it’s way to an early finish.

That is, till the crowd decided to become more than just the spectator. Bottles started getting hurled onto the playing field. At first it was just a few instances here and there, but close to the end of the match - the problem had escalated to a level that forced the umpires to stop play.

South African batsmen Farhaan Behardien, left and Jean-Paul Duminy sit and watch as their second Twenty20 match against India is disrupted after spectators threw bottles in Cuttack. (Photo: AP)

The state association ultimately was forced to evacuate the stands and after two interruptions, of 19 and 24 minutes, the teams took the field to finish the match. India ultimately lost by 6 wickets, however, the venue seems to have lost more than just it’s reputation.

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar was most scathing in his reaction to the incident.

Cuttack should not be given an international match for the next couple of years. As a deterrent, the BCCI must also stop the subsidy to the Odisha Cricket Association. Do the crowd throw valuables when the team does well? When the team does badly, the fans have no business to throw rubbish.
– Sunil Gavaskar to NDTV

A member of the ground staff removes materials thrown by spectators during the second Twenty20 match between India and South Africa in Cuttack. (Photo: PTI)

Indian players sit on the ground as their second Twenty20 against South Africa is disrupted due to spectators. (Photo: AP)

India’s current limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni though seemed to take the incident in his stride. This, after he had already had an incident at the stadium during practise the previous day, when according to Indian Express, he had stormed off the field due to the loud music being played by the DJ.

We should not be taking such things seriously. I still remember we play in Vizag once and we won the game very easily and that time also a lot of bottles were thrown. It starts with the first bottle and then it’s more of a fun for the spectators.
– MS Dhoni, Indian Captain

Virat Kohli watches as India’s second Twenty20 match against South Africa is disrupted after spectators threw water bottles in Cuttack. (Photo: AP)

Players walk back to the pavilion at the end of the match. (Photo: AP)

Dhoni in fact also added that the bottle-throwing by the unruly crowd had never threatened any players’ safety.

When it comes to the safety of the players, I don’t think there was any serious threat. We didn’t play well and at times you get reaction like these. It’s only the first few bottles that are hurled with serious intent, after that they just do it for fun.
– MS Dhoni, Indian Captain