A Bangladeshi cricket fan, known as Roby, was allegedly heckled in the stands and later taken to a medical facility during the opening day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur on Friday. Roby, a self-proclaimed super fan of the Bangladesh cricket team, was dressed in a tiger costume and seated in Stand C when the incident occurred.
Reportedly, according to an official from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), Roby appeared distressed and was unable to clearly communicate the exact sequence of events. However, during a brief interaction with the media, he claimed to have been punched in the abdomen during an altercation.
“As he came out of the stands, he was wincing in pain and seemed to be fainting. He was given a chair to sit but he fell,” the UPCA official stated.
Police deny assault claims
While Roby suggested he had been assaulted, local police at the venue denied the claims. According to law enforcement present at the stadium, Roby was discovered near the C Block entrance struggling to breathe and was barely able to speak. A police source indicated that the fan’s condition may have been caused by dehydration, not an altercation with other spectators.
A separate controversy emerged on social media, where some fans on platform X (formerly known as Twitter) claimed that Roby had been heckling Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj during the match. These allegations suggest that Roby’s behavior may have provoked a hostile reaction from the surrounding crowd, potentially leading to the incident in the stands. However, these claims have not been officially verified, adding another layer of uncertainty to the unfolding situation.
Here is the video:
Lafda at Kanpur stadium pic.twitter.com/KNVYROi2eh
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Early Stumps Due to Rain on Day 1
The opening day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh was also disrupted by rain, leading to an early call for stumps. Bangladesh ended the day at 107/3, with India looking in control of the match. Despite the off-field incident, the focus will likely shift back to the cricket as both teams prepare for Day 2 of the Test in Kanpur.
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