Cricket crazy fans protest across the country

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Mar 24: The nation was drowned in sorrow as cricket-crazy fans gave vent to their ire against the national team over their disgraceful performance against Sri Lanka by burning the effigies of star cricketers whom they virtually worshipped all these years. The humiliating defeat at the hands of the islanders, which has virtually ended India's disastrous campaign in the World Cup in the West Indies, shocked the cricket administrators as well, with the BCCI promising to take drastic measures to overhaul the game.

Angry fans in several cities burnt effigies of cricket idols Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, skipper Rahul Dravid and other senior players and also Indian team coach Greg Chappell. At several places, 'funeral' processions of the team were taken out.

Securitymen were immediately rushed to the homes of Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag, wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, spinner Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh soon after India surrendered meekly to the Sri Lankans in the Do-or-Die tie at Trinidad.

India crashed to the second defeat in three games after minnows Bangladesh shocked them in their first league encounter of Group B last week.

In captain Dravid's hometown Bangalore, people thronged the busy throughfares shouting slogans and burning posters, besides demanding Dravid to step down from captaincy.

An utterly disappointed Sharad Pawar said the Board (BCCI) would look into the miserable performance of the team in West Indies and indicated at taking drastic changes to overhaul the system.

The BCCI president said, ''After receiving the manager's report, the Board will sit and analyse the future course of action.'' A section of people in the capital demanded resignation of BCCI chief Sharad Pawar and the entire selection committee. They also demanded ban on brand sponsorship of the cricketers.

Kolkata wore a deserted look with torn posters of Indian stars in every nook and corner of the city, bearing witness to silent frustrations that brewed within the city.

Former national selector and Test cricketer Sambaran Banerjee told sources, ''It is a black day for Indian cricket. The fact that we did not qualify for the Super Eight is simply unexpectable.'' Even Railway Minister and Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Lalu Prasad joined in to lash out at all the members of the team, saying they should 'compulsorily retire' in favour of young talents.

''The defeat has underlined the fact that seniors in the team failed to deliver and that too in the most ignominious manner, and it is high time they were replaced by young talents,'' Mr Prasad told reporters on the sidelines of a railway function here.

In a reference to the players' being busy with endorsements, Mr Prasad said,''Instead of concentrating on their game, Indian players are more concerned about making money through advertisements.'' ''Even if we lose by inducting young talent in the team, it would not be a disgrace. They would at least be able to gain some expereince,'' he reasoned out.

Mr Prasad said India could learn a lesson or two from Bangladesh which had blooded young talents in the team and the results were there for everyone to see.

He also took a swipe at the fans for according the cricketers a 'God-like' status. ''The members in the current Indian team are a highly pampered lot. They have been deified and idolised by the people of the country. This practice must stop,'' he said.

Another former Test cricketer and national selector Ashok Malhotra was more scathing in his comments. ''There is something terribly wrong with Indian cricket. Nothing has gone right starting from planning, coaching and captaincy. we need to reassess fast.'' The team faces a volatile reception on their return to the country, the game's commercial hub, where the cricketers are treated like stars and earn millions in endorsements.

Skipper Dravid and coach Chappell will find it hard to renew their jobs after being appointed up until the end of the World Cup.

Now, if debutants Bermuda beat Bangladesh, India still have a chance to qualify for Super Eights but even the most ardent of fans know in their heart of hearts, that such a scenario looks highly improbable by all stretch of the imagination.

UNI

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