5 instances when the gentleman's game was marred by fan violence

4) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 2006

Violence erupted after the match between India and England was called off

Trouble created in this case was a little different as this was not a clash between rival spectators. Rather, this kind of behaviour came after the fans in Guwahati, a relatively remote cricket playing location, were informed that the match had been called off.

This was to be the first game held at the location in nearly five years. Unfortunately, the city experienced a bout of heavy, torrential rain which was enough for the umpires and the respective captains to decide that conditions were not good enough for the match to take place.

Fans, who had been waiting patiently in eager anticipation of the game, lost their cool and the violence began. It easily had the potential to turn into a riot. Every possible inconvenience-causing weapon was brought in.

Bonfires were lit, stones were pelted and plastic bottles were thrown which led the police to resort to tear gas to placate the crowd. The English team left well before the worst part of these protests began. In response to this, stand-in English captain Andrew Strauss said that he understood the frustration of the Indian public after a match they had paid to watch was unceremoniously cancelled.