A match being called off is always a disappointment. It’s not just about the financial loss, but it also takes away from the excitement of the game, leaving fans disheartened and players’ efforts in vain. Sometimes, situations get out of hand, forcing a match to be canceled. In India, where disruptions happen pretty often, organizing a match can be a tough job. Occasionally, the management just can’t handle security threats, and the game has to be abandoned. Here are three times India’s matches were canceled due to security concerns.
3 Instances when India’s matches were cancelled due to security threats
India vs Pakistan 1991
In a truly disappointing turn of events, members of some political organisation dug up the Wankhede Stadium pitch in an attempt to prevent Pakistan from playing in Mumbai. This act not only led to the cancellation of the Mumbai Test but also resulted in the entire series being called off.
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India vs Pakistan, Kotla, 1999
The same organization used the same tactic to abandon the first Test match in Delhi in 1999. They dug up the pitch to prevent the match from happening between the two countries. The game was eventually moved to Chennai, where it concluded successfully with Pakistan winning.
In the second match, they came up with another ‘creative’ way to stop the match by threatening to release a venomous snake onto the field. However, the management took all necessary precautions, and the match was finally held in Delhi.
England tour of India, 2008
The 2008 Mumbai attacks cast a dark shadow over international cricket, particularly England’s tour of India. As the city faced a terrifying terrorist attack, England, mid-tour, withdrew and returned home.
The atmosphere was fraught with tension, and uncertainty hung heavily in the air. The tour eventually resumed weeks later.