The second T20I between India and Australia on Sunday began on an emotional note. The game was being played just over a week after the ghastly attack on the CRPF convoy in Kashmir’s Pulwama district that had claimed the lives off 44 personnels. Virat Kohli & Co. paid homage to the soldiers by wearing black armbands. The Australian players also did their part as the players and others attending the game held a two-minute silence before the start of the game.
Speaking a day ahead of the match, skipper Virat Kohli had said:
“Our sincere condolences to the families of CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in PulwamaAttack. From the Indian team and the whole set up, we are really shocked about what happened and really sad about the incident that happened.”
Team India and Australia pay homage to martyrs https://t.co/OVMqep0OM2
— PRINCE SINGH (@PRINCE3758458) February 25, 2019
But while emotion was running high before the start of the game, the behaviour of some fans in the stands left a lot to be desired. When the cameras focussed towards the stand, a number of fans were seen shouting, waving their hands and operating their mobile phones during the two-minute silence.
Miffed with the fans’ conduct, Virat Kohli was seen gesturing to the Vizag crowd to keep quiet during the two-minute silence.
The fans were also unimpressed with the gesture and took to Twitter to slam those who could not behave properly during the emotional situation.
https://twitter.com/NaanaKatekar/status/1099662933905326080?
Two minutes silence was to be kept for our brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack but our people really lack civic sense. Why were they shouting and cheering? #INDvAUS
— Kunzang Ongmu Bhutia (@kunzang02) February 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/sid_vishy/status/1099662459516932096?
The minute's silence for the Pulwama victims at the #INDvAUS match showed us how weak a country we are. 50% of the audience kept screeming. Shame on their parenting and our education system. Is India really together? @navikakumar @rahulkanwal @GautamGambhir @msdhoni
— Big Bong Theory 🇮🇳 (@BigBongTheory) February 24, 2019
Absolutely amazed at the number of people shouting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' in the middle of a minute's silence for the CRPF jawans martyred in the Pulawama attack. Yet another instance of blind jingoism defying logic. #INDvAUS
— Shayne Dias (@ShayneDias_) February 24, 2019
The BCCI, meanwhile, has also decided not to hold an opening ceremony for the Indian Premier League this year and the budget for the same will be donated to the families of the officials, who died during the attack.
Coming to the game, Australia stunned India by three wickets in the first T20I to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Batting first, the Virat Kohli-led side could only score a modest 126 for 7 with KL Rahul’s 50 being the biggest individual contribution with the bat. In reply, Australia chased down the total on the very last ball when they needed a couple.
Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins kept their nerves to collect 14 runs from the final over bowled by Umesh Yadav to guide the visitors to a thrilling win.
