Cricket is no less than a religion in India and it is widely known how we feel about our religion. No, I’m not here to pick a fight but nothing I say or do will change the fact that we let emotions get the better of us and not in a good way.
While there is no doubt that cricketing sentiment binds us in ways more than one, it turns a pity when we don’t disassociate sporting spirit from it. Something similar has happened again and it does very little to repair the previously dented image about harbouring offence.
It so happened that Australia beat India by in the T20I cricket series by eight wickets at the newly built stadium in Guwahati.
Australia win the 2nd T20I by 8 wickets, level the three-match series 1-1 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/G0u2p81XfN
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 10, 2017
But the jubilation soon turned into fright when an unidentified lunatic attacked the Australian team bus on their way out. Australian opener Aaron Finch even tweeted a picture and the site says it all.
Pretty scary having a rock thrown through the team bus window on the way back to the hotel!! pic.twitter.com/LBBrksaDXI
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) October 10, 2017
Pretty scary having a rock thrown through the team bus window on the way back to the hotel!!
As soon as the matter surfaced, Indian Cricketer, Ashwin Ravichandran wasted no time condemning the attack, saying what we wanted to hear.
We are a country that treats ours guests with great respect and hospitality. Contd
— Ashwin (During Covid 19)🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 11, 2017
The stone thrown at the Aussie team bus shows us in bad light, let's all act more responsibly. A vast majority of us are capable of that.🙏
— Ashwin (During Covid 19)🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 11, 2017
Even Assam minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to apologise for the mishap.
Our deep apology. People of assam never endorse such behaviour.we will punish the guilty. https://t.co/3IYYSoME0y
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 10, 2017
Meanwhile, Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Vice-president, Debojit Saikia said they have lodged a complaint with the police. He said,
“The culprit should be found. We have informed the police about the incident. I am also meeting the Australian team officials to assure them of security on their way back from Guwahati.”
While tweets can’t and won’t help in finding the guilty, it is reassuring to see action in under-way. However, nothing will change unless we treat cricket like the sport it is and take defeat in a positive stride.