Former West Indies legend Viv Richards said on Sunday that it was a bit silly to burn effigies of players and also fans should respect individuals as no player steps on to the field to lose.
Until the final against Pakistan, India had a perfect tournament in England at the Champions Trophy, 2017. But against their arch-rivals, team India lost for a massive 180-run defeat which resulted in a number of protests by Indian fans across the country by burning effigies of players and breaking their TV sets.
This was not some rare event that happened in India, but in 2003, homes of the Indian players were attacked after the humiliating defeat to Australia in the second game.
Speaking at Salaam Cricket 2019, Viv Richards expressed hopes that Indian fans show patience during the ongoing World Cup tournament and the 67-year-old also added that it is silly to burn effigies after a defeat.
“Indian fans sometimes lack a bit of patience. Burning effigies is a little silly. Your players do not go there to lose, they go there to win. You should not be a hero today and not a zero tomorrow,” the former batsman said.
