Former India batsman and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra became the first high-profile ex-cricketer to speak up against the recent violence against the fans and the lathi charge that they suffered at the hands of Hyderabad police on Thursday.
Thousands of fans lined up at the Gymkhana ground in Secunderabad from 10 PM on the previous night to get a hold of a ticket for Sunday’s India-Australia third T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
However, chaos ensued there, and the police resorted to violence to control the crowd. Amid the lathi-charge and the rush of the crowd, over a dozen people are reported to be injured badly and were taken to a hospital.
Aakash Chopra questions why tickets were being sold offline
Taking a note of this “very disappointing” incident, Aakash Chopra questioned why some tickets were even being sold offline after the distributor had a day ago sold a portion of tickets online.
“I want to mention what happened in Hyderabad is very disappointing – the chaos for tickets, lathicharge and violence. We have to look after the fans. If they turn away from cricket, what will we be talking about then and celebrate?” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
The 45-year-old commentator demanded strict action against the responsible parties in this fiasco.
“Whoever is responsible for this, should be held accountable. Justice must be done. We cannot treat fans like this. Buying tickets is their right. Why are we still selling tickets physically when it’s been done online?
“Whatever happened, a sad day for Indian cricket,” he added.
We have done nothing wrong: Azharuddin
Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) President Mohammad Azharuddin was quick to distance himself from this incident and any blame. The former India skipper added that the association will look into the matter.
“It is not as easy to conduct a match as sitting in this room and discussing. We have done nothing wrong. We are with the fans who were injured in the morning incidents, and the HCA will take care of them completely. I will give a complete report on the sale of tickets, availability and other details to the Minister and he will tell you what is correct and what is wrong,” Azharuddin said.
“There are going to be problems. Yes, the public wants to see the match after a three-year gap. But, again, not all of them can do it. We will give all the details at the media briefing on Friday. We have nothing to hide. But, at the same time, we have to make sure the game goes forward. The Supreme Court has not given any order restraining my powers,” he added.
India bounced back from defeat in the first T20I to register a 6-wicket win in the second T20I in Nagpur. India chased down the target of 91 with 4 balls left in the 8-over contest.
