Indian fans are encountering criticism on social media for their biased response to the defeat in the Cricket World Cup final against Australia on Sunday. The most noteworthy incident was the booing of the umpires during the medal ceremony.
Although the majority of the 110,000-plus spectators, mainly Indian supporters, had already left the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat before Australia’s captain Pat Cummins lifted the trophy, those who remained expressed their disapproval audibly.
Boos resounded as field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth, along with TV umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Chris Gaffney, were called to the podium to receive medals for their officiation in the final.
This reaction puzzled online spectators and commentators, as the match itself did not feature significant refereeing controversies.
The sole noteworthy incident involved a potential LBW call on a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah to Marnus Labuschagne, which was initially given not out. A review indicated that the ball just clipped the leg stump, but with the impact too close to determine conclusively, the final decision favored the umpire’s original call.
Also read: Messi World Cup shirts could fetch over $10 million in auction
Some fans also took to social media to criticise Kettleborough, arguing that he had overseen a disproportionate number of Indian losses.
But others took to social media to slam the fans involved, calling the incident “a disgrace to cricket”.
Richard Kettleborough getting booed when he was on the stage
Biggest panauti of Indian team and he proved once again today. Also, LBW didn’t go in our favour with Labuschagne#INDvAUS #CWC2023Final pic.twitter.com/boIAf951N9
— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) November 19, 2023
“That’s just pathetic and immature from the Indian crowd at Ahmadabad,” wrote one social media user.
Crowd started booing as soon as Richard Kettleborough’s name announced. pic.twitter.com/Ec1GtdVgBO
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 19, 2023
There was also criticism online for the way the crowd reacted to Travis Head reaching his century, on his way to a player-of-the-match performance that saw him become only the third Australian player after Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting to hit 100 runs at the World Cup Final.
Has a brilliant hundred on such a massive occasion
Been greeted with such ambivalence?— simon hughes (@theanalyst) November 19, 2023
“Some 80 people among the 11000+ [sic] at the Narendra Modi Stadium clapped their hands together as Travis Head raised his bat after reaching his 50,” wrote sports writer Bharat Sundaresan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He added: “If the WTC knock at The Oval was special, this one, is extraordinary & the quietest reception you’ll ever hear for a World Cup final century.”
Booing umpires and officials at a presentation of a World Cup final!!
That’s just pathetic and immature from the Indian crowd at Ahmadabad!
Have a little bit of dignity and respect, you wouldn’t have a game without officials#INDvAUS #CWC23 #CWC2023Final
— Jack Rule (@JackRuleLD) November 19, 2023
Former Middlesex bowler Simon Hughes asked: “Has a brilliant hundred on such a massive occasion [ever] been greeted with such ambivalence?”
