RIYADH, 25 March 2007 — Hundreds of thousands of Indian fans in the capital city were stunned by their team’s shock defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in their Group B match in the ongoing World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago on Friday night.
Reacting on the loss the angry fans called on Indian authorities to take urgent corrective measures, sack the players who have performed abysmally and some even going to the extent of asking for a probe to find the real causes behind this rout. Mohammed Qaiser, president of Tanzeem Hum Hindustani, even asked the Indian cricket officials to sack the whole team and infuse new blood.
Qaiser said: “The defeat has finally sank the hopes of thousands of cricket-mad Indians in Riyadh.” The anger, which led to the burning of effigies, defaced posters and mock funeral processions of the national team in India, was also evident in the capital with fans hurling all abuses on players.
“The loss (against Sri Lanka in Barbados) means India are left hoping that hapless Bermuda would beat Bangladesh to hand them a World Cup lifeline,” said Naeem Jameel, an executive of Hana Al-Meshari Company, while blasting both Pakistan and Indian teams for their pathetic performance.
Naeem said that cricket is taken very seriously in Pakistan and India, where players are treated as huge celebrities, paid big money to endorse major commercial brands and put on pedestals by cricket-crazy fans.
“Hence, their performances in the World Cup has led to such intense anger in both countries,” said Naeem. He said: “Everyone should shun the cricket teams of India and Pakistan, and all the old team members should retire paving the way for fresh blood.”
“I’m disappointed, but there is no need to target the lives and properties of players. Rather they should be replaced by new players,” said a senior-class IISR student Saquib Manzar. He said let the old players devote their time “only for commercials, and not practice.”
“We had great expectations from Dhoni, but he scored zero in two matches,” said Mohammed Qais Khan, who works for Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB). “A few of my relatives, who booked their tickets to the Caribbean to watch India battle in the Super Eights next week have already called to cancel their trip,” said Haris Wadhwa, a senior sales executive working for a private company.
Asked whether he believes match-rigging or match-fixing goes on in the world game, many fans said “yes, we think it does.”
Asked how to remedy the situation, some fans said: “Let’s go for younger players, who will definitely show a better commitment to the game.”
“There will be a lot of people disappointed and angry back home,” said Sabiha Khanam, a housewife, who is an ardent supporter of Indian team. She said that the corruption in the game, lack of practice and many other factors led to this bad performance.
While the Indian fans were berating their players, Sri Lankan expatriates jumped for joy after their team’s super showing.
While expressing their delight over their team’s victory with India, most of them felt that India should have remained throughout the tournament for the spectators to witness good cricket.
Lafir Majeed from SABB said: “It was a superb match. Sri Lanka played well and with team spirit. However, India’s defeat was mainly due to the fact that the team was under severe pressure to win the match since it was subjected to massive expectations back home. Regarding the World Cup Championship, Majeed said there is no favorite in this tournament.
Hilmy Sathar said India had a good team but unfortunately, the players were demoralized following their defeat against Bangladesh.
Nihal Gamage, former president of the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society, said: “Slow and steady spirit of the Sri Lankan team paved the way for its victory against India.” India made the right decision to field first after winning the toss since it was a bowling pitch. The target set by the Sri Lankan team made India hesitant and nervous thinking that it was beyond reach.”
Congratulating the Sri Lankan side, P. Alithamby, an accountant at the Absal Steel Factory, said that although he is a Sri Lankan, still he feels India should be in the tournament which would add glamour to the whole World Cup since it represents a large section of the subcontinent.
Saifudeen Thassim, senior banker in the Kingdom, said the Sri Lankan team has proved its excellent cricketing skills in the match against a group of talented Indian players. “Sri Lanka can win the championship provided the team plays with the same enthusiasm and consistency.”
Farhana Rizvi, a school teacher at Bangladesh International School who has been following the tournament, said: “It was a well deserved victory for Sri Lankan players who batted and fielded with great poise and confidence.” She added that skillful bowling by Muralitharan, Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas imposed heavy pressure on Indian batsmen which eventually led to Lanka’s victory.
Fatihima Azra, teacher at Al-Jawahir International School said it was an anticipated victory and she expects Sri Lankan to do well in the coming matches to become the champions for the second time.
While rejoicing their victory, Cellacuddy Murugadas, chartered accountant, said the Sri Lankan players should prepare themselves for the Super Eight matches. “Every player should do his part well in the subsequent games to ensure victory.”
While congratulating the Sri Lankan team on its victory, Bangladesh Ambassador Ikramul Haque said it had given his country a chance to advance in the World Cup.