Cuttack crowd trouble condemned by former India captains
Tuesday 6 October 2015 15:47, UK
Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Bishan Singh Bedi have condemned the crowd trouble that marred Monday's Twenty20 international between India and South Africa in Cuttack.
Trouble started when India were bowled out for 92 during the second game of a three-match series.
Plastic bottles were hurled onto the field during the innings break and play was twice stopped for more than 20 minutes.
South Africa finally completed a six-wicket victory with 17 balls to spare as local police struggled to keep the crowd under control.
Gavaskar and Bedi have now called for Cuttack to be dropped as an international venue as a result of the trouble.
"There has to be a deterrent. You cannot allow that to happen," Gavaskar said. "I'd imagine that the next time they are due for an international game, that should not be given to them. Quite clearly a strong message has to be sent."
Bedi took to social media and posted a message on Twitter: "Cuttack shames cricket & self. Guidelines for crowd behaviour need redefining by BCCI. International Cricket must go to people who respect the game!"
South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis admitted he was surprised by the crowd disturbances, but India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni preferred to keep the situation in perspective.
"Frankly, from a safety point of view, I don't think there was a very serious threat," Dhoni said after the match. "We didn't play well. At times you get reactions like this, but we should not read too much into it."
The Barabati Stadium at Cuttack has hosted two Test matches and 18 limited-overs internationals as well as some Indian Premier League games. It is not on the list of venues for the World T20 tournament starting next March.
