In one of the most ugliest incidents of cricket in India, the Australian cricket team bus was attacked in Guwahati on Tuesday night following India’s loss to Australia. The visiting team beat India to level the T20I series 1-1.
The ongoing T20I cricket series between India and Australia was smudged with ugly scene when the visiting team’s bus was attacked with a rock on their way to the hotel from the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahat. The ugly incident occurred after Australia defeated India by eight wickets in the 2nd T20 match to level the series 1-1 and the bus was carrying the Aussie to their hotel. Luckily, no one was injured.
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Following the incident, hard hitting Australian opener Aaron Finch tweeted a picture of a broken glass window of the bus and expressed scary.
“Pretty scary having a rock thrown through the team bus window on the way back to the hotel!!” he wrote on Twitter. The post was also retweeted by stand-in captain David Warner.
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
Cricket.com.au reported that “while no one was injured, the Australian players were understandably shaken up by the incident. Players and staff were travelling from the ground back to their team hotel when someone threw a rock, believed to be roughly the size of a cricket ball, at a window on the right-hand side of the bus. The projectile pierced through the glass and ended up inside the bus, shattering the window”.
#BREAKING: The Australian cricket team bus has been attacked in India. #9News pic.twitter.com/zyhmKwo5eK
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) October 10, 2017
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Following the incident, cricketing community expressed shock and appealed to act more responsibly. Cricket fans of India apologised to the Aussie team and criticised the act.
Ashwin Ravichandran wrote on twitter, “We are a country that treats ours guests with great respect and hospitality.” He continued, “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.”
We are a country that treats ours guests with great respect and hospitality. Contd
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@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 Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 11, 2017
India’s Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore wrote that “Guwahati stone-throwing incident NOT reflective of our security measures. Aus team & FIFA are content w/those. India remains a graceful host.” He further shared that “Have spoken to Sarbanand Sonwal ji about the Guwahati incident. Personal security of visiting athletes & teams is extremely important for us.”
Guwahati stone-throwing incident NOT reflective of our security measures. Aus team & FIFA are content w/those. India remains a graceful host
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) October 11, 2017
Have spoken to @sarbanandsonwal ji about the Guwahati incident. Personal security of visiting athletes & teams is extremely important for us
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) October 11, 2017
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the act and said that whoever got indulged in the hooliganism did it on the sole objective of defaming Assam & derailing its journey towards the top.
So, whoever got indulged in the hooliganism did it on the sole objective of defaming Assam & derailing its journey towards the top. (7/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
The Chief Minsiter further wrote on Facebook that, “Really unfortunate incident after a great game aimed to tarnish Guwahati’s reputation as emerging sports hub. We strongly condemn it and vow to take strictest action against the culprits.
Investigation is on full swing and Police have already picked up two suspects.
People of Assam are big sport lovers, great hosts & audience and they do not approve this. #FIFAU17WC is going on in Guwahati with FIFA and all teams expressing their satisfaction at our arrangements.
Yesterday, we witnessed a spectacular game and great display of sportsman spirit. Both teams were given a rousing welcome. Performances by both the teams were hailed by spectators, expressing people’s commitment towards turning Assam as Sports Capital of India.
So, whoever indulged in hooliganism did it with the sole objective of defaming Assam and derailing its journey towards the top. We will foil this design with the support of the people of Assam. The culprits will face full force of the law and will be given exemplary punishment.”
Really unfortunate incident after a great game aimed to tarnish Guwahati’s reputation as emerging sports hub. We…
Posted by Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday, 10 October 2017
While Indian and Pakistani cricket fans are indulging in blame game and mockery, Indian fans have apologised the Australian team following the incident and condemned the incident.
We Indians are much concerned for the safety & security of our Guests, regret for the inconvinience caused to them. Apology ? https://t.co/S8SojqCunx
— आशीष कुमार अग्रवाल (@coomarashish) October 11, 2017
We sincerely apologize for the incident. But only one or two such culprits can’t represent the entire cricket lovers of Assam.
— Bhabani Prasad Bora (@bhabani_bora) October 11, 2017
Apologies mate. Some moron has tried to give us all a bad name. People in Assam love sports and are extremely hospitable. We are so Sorry!
— Bhargab Sarma (@bharsarma) October 11, 2017
On behalf of all Indian. I apologise to all Australian cricket team….
Come on guys… This is not how we treat r guest… Plzz don’t do this….— AKSHAY SUVARNA (@ROONEY100786) October 11, 2017
It may be mentioned that this is not the first time that Australian team bus has been attacked. There was a similar attack in Bangladesh as well.
After 1-1 win in the T20I series, India and Australia will play the 3rd T20I and the decider of the series on October 13, Friday at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.