The final of the Cricket World Cup 2023 turned out to be not just a showdown of cricketing skills between Australia and India but a spectacle of crowd behavior that has sparked widespread criticism. The grand stage was set at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where an ocean of over 130,000 enthusiastic cricket fans, mostly clad in the Indian team’s blue, came pouring in with the high hopes of witnessing the Indian team clinch the ODI World Cup title.
However, Australia’s command over the match soon became evident on the field, and this dominance was met with an unexpected reaction from the Indian supporters. As the visiting team gained the upper hand, the home crowd’s excitement started to wane, and what ensued was a surprising unruliness that caught the attention of many, even reaching the realms of social media where it was flagged as a concerning issue.
A torrent of comments surfaced online, pointing out the silence that engulfed the crowd, an act that some viewers interpreted as a lack of respect towards the Australian team and the match officials. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant and supportive atmosphere often associated with Indian cricket fans, known worldwide for their loud and passionate support.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins had set the tone earlier, expressing his intent to ‘silence the crowd’ – a psychological strategy aimed at muting the usually formidable force of the home team’s supporters. The outcome of the match proved Cummins and his team successful, both in their gameplay and in quieting the stands. The disappointment lingered as the Indian fans were lambasted for not rallying behind their team during crucial moments when skipper Rohit Sharma and his squad needed their spirit the most.
Renowned personalities did not hold back, voicing their disapproval on various platforms. Photographer and film producer Atul Kasbekar called the Ahmedabad crowd “rubbish” and yearned for “proper fans” who would stick with the team through thick and thin, reminiscent of the ardent supporters at the famed Wankhede Stadium.
One spectator criticized the crowd’s reaction to the umpires, questioning the city’s sportsmanship, while others compared the energy levels unfavorably with significantly smaller stadiums like Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy which, despite its lower capacity, is known for its passionate crowd.
To the dismay of many, segments of the crowd started to exit prematurely, with the Indian team’s chances of a comeback looking grim. Post-match, even Cummins acknowledged the unusual quiet, noting that he was “pretty happy” that the crowd was silent during much of the Australian bowling innings. He also paid homage to the unmatched passion for cricket in India, stating how special the day was, irrespective of the match’s outcome.
The narrative of this World Cup final will be remembered not solely for the action on the field but also for the sobering reality that sometimes even the most ardent fans can falter. The silence at the Narendra Modi Stadium became a focal point of discussion, reflecting the complex relationship between sports, national pride, and emotional investment.
As the dust settles on the World Cup 2023, the episode in Ahmedabad serves as a reminder that while stadiums can be built, passion is not as easily constructed. The conversation around the fans’ role in cheering on their team, through victory and defeat alike, has been reignited, adding another layer to the ever-evolving narrative of this beautiful game. Cricket aficionados across the globe now look ahead to future matches with the hope that the spirit of the game and the roar of the crowd return even stronger.