Cricket great Sunil Gavaskar has called for strong repercussions after angry Indian cricket fans hurled missiles during India's Twenty20 clash with South Africa, nearly forcing the match to be abandoned.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Parts of the sold out crowd at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium turned on the Indian team after they were bowled out for a lowly 92 by the Proteas, throwing bottles onto a practice area near the dressing rooms.
After a delay of almost half an hour, South Africa began their innings, only for a second disturbance to cause the game to be suspended.
Police reportedly cleared an entire upper level of a stand before the visitors resumed batting and ensured victory with nearly two overs to spare. In total, play had been held up for nearly an hour.
"Disgraceful scenes in Cuttack," Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bogle tweeted.
"Nobody has a right to throw bottles onto the ground. Crowd performance worse than that of the players."
After the second stoppage, Bogle wrote: "Further disgrace. Players going off. Strong action needed. Cuttack letting India down."
Gavaskar told Indian broadcaster NDTV that the police seemed disorganised.
"The police were standing there without any instructions," Gavaskar said. "The police who are stationed on the boundary perimeter should not be watching cricket but they be monitoring the behaviour of the fans.
He called for the local cricket authority, the Odisha Cricket Association, to suffer consequences.
"Cuttack should not be given an international for the next couple of years. As a deterrent, the BCCI must also stop the subsidy to the Odisha Cricket Association."
The crowds may be upset with the way India played this evening but the way they are behaving is very disappointing. #IndvsSA— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
October 5, 2015
Disgusting scenes in Cuttack.... So many Venues in India.... Easy punishment...Don't let them host internationals for a few years...#SAvIND— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
October 5, 2015
Play stopped: South African batsmen Farhaan Behardien, left and Jean-Paul Duminy sit and watch as the match is disrupted by fans. Photo: AP
Really sad and disappointing behaviour from fans in cuttack tonight! Scenes that should not be seen at sporting grounds. #SAvsIND— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49)
October 5, 2015
What a shame ! When we win all is good when we loosing is that how u behave ? Pl show some respect to your players and respect the game— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
October 5, 2015