Shortly after the devastating 408-run loss to South Africa in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, the Indian cricket team had to cope with disturbance in the stands. In the immediate aftermath of India's biggest Test defeat at home by margin of runs, a segment of irate supporters launched loud anti-Gautam Gambhir chants directed at the head coach.
Supporters from one of the stands started yelling "Gambhir, haye haye" and "Gambhir go back" as the players assembled for their post-match presentation. Their dissatisfaction reverberated around the stadium, which was still hurting from the team's consecutive defeats and a second home series whitewash in one year. Gambhir turned to face the crowd for a moment but remained silent.
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However, the players were aware of the persistent heckling. Pacer Mohammed Siraj was the first to step in and ask the audience to halt. When the chanting continued, Siraj and Sitanshu Kotak, the assistant coach, approached the boundary line and made direct appeals to the agitators.
Kotak was heard chastising the group and asking why were they mocking someone who has been advocating for Indian cricket. "Ek aadmi India ke liye itna bolta hai aur aap haye haye bol rahe ho?" he was caught yelling back at the fans.
The BCCI team management reportedly filed an official complaint as the situation worsened. One person involved in the chanting was swiftly identified by police stationed at the venue, and was taken into custody from the stands.
The incident highlighted the boiling dissatisfaction among fans, which gave South Africa a clean sweep and left Gambhir under increasing public criticism in his first year as head coach.
India have now lost five of their last seven home Tests — their worst run in 66 years. This also marks only the third time they have suffered home Test series defeats in back-to-back years. They were swept 0-2 by New Zealand last year under Gambhir’s coaching.
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