The image of cricket as a gentleman's game has often been impaired by instances of violence and brawls in stadiums. While sometimes it is the fans who are united in their frustration against a particular team or player and at others, rival fans clash among themselves and the violence spills on to the playing arena. A few times, instances of players reacting against rival supporters have also materialised.
Probably the most famous albeit slightly amusing moment came in 1997 when then Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq rushed into the stand with serious intentions of smashing the head of a spectator who had called him a “potato” on the megaphone. Eyewitness accounts of that day widely reported about how surprising it was to see the seemingly perennially lazy Pakistan captain rush into the stands.
Brawls breaking out between rival fans is an embarrassment not only to the countries involved but also to the legacy of the game. Here are five instances where rival spectators clashed in public causing significant damage to people and public property.
1) Attack on Sudhir Gautam in 2015
Sudhir Gautam's attack in Bangladesh in 2015 was a horrific one and the fact that the man became something of a mascot for the Indian cricket team did not help matters. Gautam's typical appearance in every game along with his very outspoken devotion for Sachin Tendulkar made him an easily recognisable target for angry mobs.
This happened immediately after the conclusion of the second ODI in the series. Describing the incident Gautam told Indian Express, “As soon as I left the stadium, people mobbed me and started snatching the Tricolour, breaking the handle of the flag. Two policemen who were outside the stadium came to my rescue and they escorted me to an auto-rickshaw. But the mob further attacked the auto and tried to break into it.”
The reason for this allegedly unprovoked attack still remains unknown although speculative news reports have suggested that it was an act to avenge Bangladesh's loss in the quarter-finals of the ICC World Cup.
Fortunately, Sudhir Gautam managed to escape unscathed.
2) Premadasa Stadium, 2015
This was an instance when the violence actually interrupted the game and the disturbance continued even as the unruly mob were ejected from the stadium. The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo was the location for the ODI match in the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in June 2015 and in the thirty-fourth over of the match, the brawl began to take shape.
Initially beginning on the upper tier stands in the south-eastern section of the stadium when fans began attacking each other, the incident took an ugly turn after a stone was thrown into the field. The initial disturbances were quelled by the police staff present in the stadium. The unruly elements were asked to leave.
This, however, provided no respite as the stubborn fans carried on their disagreement even outside the stadium. Rocks and stones were pelted into the compound and eventually, one reached the boundary rope.
Citing concerns over player safety, the match was temporarily called off and the players asked to retire to their dressing rooms while the situation was dealt with. Pakistan went on to defeat Sri Lanka at home.
3) Kenan Stadium, 2002
The match between West Indies and India was a special one for cricket fans in the small town of Jamshedpur. Most importantly, it brought back embarrassingly endearing memories of the time Sir Viv Richards notched up a big 221-run partnership with Gordon Greenidge- an innings that turned more exciting with the ball repeatedly being knocked out of the small stadium as the two batsmen hit insane sixes for their period at the crease.
The only black spot in the stadium's history has been the consistently unruly crown that graces the cricket matches held there. The first ODI in the series against West Indies in 2002 was held there. While the Windies were exactly 12 runs away from sealing an impressive win against the home team, the clash began.
The crowd comprised largely of Indians and they used their numbers to their advantage, burning newspapers, firecrackers and plastic in the stands. Instances of severe vandalism occurred before riot control was called in and the crowds were strategically dispersed.
The game was first called off, with victory being awarded to the West Indian team by the DL method. It was later resumed when the situation was brought under control.
4) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 2006
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.
5) RSL Club, 2015
India and Pakistan have shared a volatile rivalry since time immemorial and the fans certainly seem to carry on the tradition of violence. Sports, it is said, should be one arena where a bit of healthy rivalry with universal comradeship is usually encouraged.
Obviously, for over-zealous fans of the sport in both countries, the concept proves too difficult to grasp. The build up to the 2015 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan was filled with media reports widely hailing it as a clash of a sensitive nature owing to the political disagreements the two countries face back home.
The anticipation of violence was fulfilled not at the stadium but at a club in Sydney where eyewitnesses reported chairs being hurled across the pub. The hooliganism reached new levels and people on both sides were hurt before paramedics were able to help out.
At least four people were injured but no arrests were made due to uncertain evidence. India eventually won the match.
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