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Fans condemn fallen cricket heroes

Upset at India's virtual exit from the World Cup, cricket fans on Saturday went berserk taking out 'funeral' processions of Indian cricketers, making bonfires of portraits of cricketers and throwing stones at a restaurant owned by Zaheer Khan.

Updated on: Mar 24, 2007, 16:04:56 IST
PTI | By , New Delhi
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Upset at India's virtual exit from the World Cup, cricket fans on Saturday went berserk taking out 'funeral' processions of Indian cricketers, making bonfires of portraits of leading cricketers and throwing stones at a restaurant owned by bowler Zaheer Khan.
Security men were deployed at the residences of skipper Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, spinner Harbhajan Singh and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to prevent any mob attacks.

HT Image
HT Image

Angry fans hurled stones at Zaheer Khan's popular restaurant in Pune, breaking glass panes and prompting security to be tightened in the area.

Reports of processions and burning of effigies have come in from places like Kanpur, Patna, Indore, Jalandhar, Pune as incensed cricket fans took to the streets to express their frustrations over India's pathetic World Cup campaign.

"Disband this team. We don't want big names, we want players, who perform," an angry cricket fan said, summing up the reaction of people at large after India lost to Sri Lanka by 69 runs in its Group B league match.

More than sadness, it was anger which reflected the mood among cricket lovers in the country, which had high expectation from the team, also seen as front-runners by some former players.

The only way that the beleaguered Indians can still survive in the showpiece event is if minnows Bermuda can pull off a miraculous win over Bangladesh in their last league match on Sunday.

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