Cricket is frequently referred to be the gentleman’s game, and it is not only the players’ responsibility to behave properly on the pitch but also the responsibility of the spectators who enter the stadium to watch the game. Although there are supporters from both teams watching the game together, relations are generally friendly. There have been situations where confrontations have started between fans from different teams, and on other occasions, things have become ugly with groups of fans fighting at a cricket stadium.
Fighting amongst rival fans is embarrassing for the participating nations as well as for the history of the sport. However, from the viewpoint of a fan, they demonstrate their unwavering support while being fervent and occasionally getting out of control, which prompts us to look at various incidents where fans got into a brawl during a game.
Top 5 cricket stadium fan fights:
5. India and Sri Lanka fans clash:
Fans fight in the stadium after #INDvsSL game in #AsiaCup2023 #DunithWellalage #kuldeepyadav pic.twitter.com/XKhY2DaDH3
— Rishabh Beniwal (@RishabhBeniwal) September 12, 2023
The most recent incident of fan fighting took place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo during the Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Sri Lanka. In a low-scoring match, India defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs. Men in Blue batted first and scored 213 runs, with 53 coming from Rohit Sharma.
In addition, Ishan Kishan (points), KL Rahul (points), and Axar Patel (points) all made significant contributions. Charith Asalanka scored 4/18, and Dunith Wellalage earned 5/40. Only Dhananjaya de Silva (41) and Dunith Wellalage (42*) managed to hold their own against the Indian bowlers in response, as Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul saw Sri Lanka out for 172 runs.
A few people were seen fighting in the stands of R Premadasa Stadium after the game. In a widely shared video, a supporter of Sri Lanka charged at another supporter of India and threw fists at him. A group of individuals intervened to break up the altercation, advising the two sides to stop fighting and ordering them to get off the ground.
4. Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka game in 2015:
Fan altercations have occurred frequently in Sri Lanka during international games. Notably, in Colombo in 2015, a fan riot broke out during an ODI game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The event took place in the stadium’s south-eastern stand during the 34th over of the inning, when a fight between spectators broke out.
One another was attacked by stones. Not only that but when a stone fell into the field, things got even worse. In order to get matters under control, the police were forced to remove citizens.
The result was that the game was postponed for 30 minutes. However, the game didn’t resume until Javagal Srinath, the match referee, gave the all-clear. In the end, the police were able to maintain order, which allowed the game to continue without incident.
3. India vs. West Indies ODI in 2002:
On November 6, 2002, the opening match of a seven-match One-Day International series between India and West Indies was played at Jamshedpur’s Keenan Stadium. India elected to bat first after winning the toss and amassed 283/6. The top run scorers for India were Ajit Agarkar (95), VVS Laxman (47), and Rahul Dravid (46*).
While Pedro Collins took two wickets for the West Indies. In response, the 284-run mark was easily defeated by Wavell Hinds (95), Marlon Samuels (51), and Ramnaresh Sarwan (83*). The visitors won the game by 4 wickets in the final over thanks to their contributions.
The West Indies just needed 12 runs to win the game, yet their dismal performance against India inspired the audience. The enraged audience erupted into a riot, setting fire to the stands and throwing bottles around the pitch as well. The Keenan Stadium’s billboards were also torn apart, forcing players and referees to scramble back to the locker room.
2. Delhi Capitals vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Kalesh B/w Fans inside Stadium during #SRHvDC Match over blocking the View of other guypic.twitter.com/RHGHqPdkqN
— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) April 29, 2023
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad squared off in game 40 of the IPL 2023. Delhi lost a close game in front of their home audience by nine runs for the fourth time this season. Delhi finished the season’s first eight games with just four total points, which was their sixth loss.
They remained at the bottom of the standings as a result. However, it appeared that spectator activity was more stressful than that of the actual game’s participants. Two groups of spectators started fighting inside the stadium.
Fans were spotted punching and kicking one another. They even pushed one individual over the chairs. Notably, this occurrence seems to have startled the youngsters and elders watching the game because there were no police guards present at the time. But it was later discovered that the supporters had been dissatisfied with both teams’ overall season-long performances.
1. Asia Cup 2022 in Sharjah:
This is what Afghan fans are doing.
This is what they've done in the past multiple times.This is a game and its supposed to be played and taken in the right spirit.@ShafiqStanikzai your crowd & your players both need to learn a few things if you guys want to grow in the sport. pic.twitter.com/rg57D0c7t8— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 7, 2022
During the Asia Cup 2022 T20 event, which was contested in the UAE, one of the ugliest fan fight situations occurred. The Men in Green won the game between Pakistan and Afghanistan by defeating the Atalans. The hosts were able to defeat the neighbours by one wicket in the nail-biting last over thanks to Naseem Shah’s valiant efforts.
When Pakistan’s Asif Ali and Fareed Ahmed got into a physical brawl on the pitch, things turned ugly. The scenes brought to mind the historic Dennis Lillee-Javed Miandad exchange during an Australia-Pakistan Test match that took place back in 1983. Once Pakistan won the game, the tensions spilled into the stands.
This sparked a riot in which Afghan supporters attacked Pakistan supporters in the Sharjah stands with chairs and fists. Chairs were flying all over the stands as others were seen scrambling for protection. The Pakistani fans had to defend themselves not just inside the stadium but also outside as Afghani supporters got into a fight with them.
So, this was all about the cricket stadium fights. Also read, Top five Indian cricketers to hold an engineering degree.
