The finger went up on Thursday. Kolkata went up in a roar of protest a day later. With TV grabs showing Greg Chappell making an obscene gesture towards fans chanting “Sourav, Sourav”, India’s capitulation at the Eden was relegated to the background.
At the time of the incident, on Thursday evening, the Indian coach was moving towards the team bus after practice.
The local channel which captured the moment on camera took note of it only when the footage was being shown on TV at 11 p.m. “It escaped our attention on the editing table and after seeing it on TV, I went to the office today and confirmed that it was indeed an ugly sign,” said Anilava Chatterjee, head of the programme in which the episode was shown.
Soon, Kolkatans were complaining. “I haven’t seen it, but if it’s true, such behaviour must be condemned,” said Trinamul Congress leader Sujit Bose.
Spectators at the Eden Gardens too made their anger known: they cheered South Africa after they beat India and chanted “Go back, Greg”.
A top BCCI source said if the incident was true, “it is indefensible”. However, board official Gautam Dasgupta said, “We haven’t seen the footage, so we can’t comment yet.”
{{/usCountry}}A top BCCI source said if the incident was true, “it is indefensible”. However, board official Gautam Dasgupta said, “We haven’t seen the footage, so we can’t comment yet.”
{{/usCountry}}