The World Cup match between India and Australia at The Oval, London, gave Indian cricket buffs a lot to cheer about. Shikhar Dhawan’s magnificent century, Hardik Pandya’s hard-hitting knock, skipper Virat Kohli’s amazing sportsmanlike gesture for Steven Smith and Sourav Ganguly’s trolling game. But there was one thing that didn’t go down well with them.
And that was a particular spectator at the sports ground – Chairman of the UB Group and fugitive businessman, Vijay Mallya.
Great to watch cricket with my son and even sweeter to see India’s emphatic victory over Australia. Congratulations to @imVkohli and his team pic.twitter.com/R01aB1WbSA
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 9, 2019
According to the Indian Express, the liquor baron faces charges of fraud and money laundering back home to the tune of Rs. 9,000 crore. He is currently out on bail in the UK because Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court upheld his extradition to India in a December 2018 ruling.
A section of the crowd booed him by saying, “Vijay Mallya chor hai” and “Be a man, apologise to your country” as he was leaving after the match.
#WATCH London, England: Vijay Mallya says, "I am making sure my mother doesn't get hurt", as crowd shouts "Chor hai" while he leaves from the Oval after the match between India and Australia. pic.twitter.com/ft1nTm5m0i
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2019
He was also greeted with "Gali Gali main shor hai #VijayMallya chor hai" ..in London during the #WorldCup match..😂😂pic.twitter.com/g9tt11MJ5R
— Kasturi 🍁 (@MrigMarichika01) June 10, 2019
Here is how netizens reacted to his appearance at the World Cup Match.
https://twitter.com/Mr_LoLwa/status/1137784535494549504
State Bank of India right now !!!!!! pic.twitter.com/WqZjcZtywk
— Prithviraj Bhat🐋 🇮🇳🇸🇬🇮🇱 (@iampriths) June 9, 2019
SBI : pic.twitter.com/WD34AcO4K5
— Nirav D. (@n_bittu) June 9, 2019
— Lone Wolf (@thewrydry) June 9, 2019
— JEESUS (@imJEESUS) June 9, 2019
Twitter can certainly make a meme out of anything. Meanwhile, Vijay Mallya is fighting against the extradition ruling and the next hearing for his appeal in the London High Court is scheduled for July 2, 2019. It remains to be seen if the tycoon will be brought to the country and punished for his crimes.