'A sad day for Indian cricket' - Aakash Chopra urges strict action to be taken against the people responsible for the Hyderabad ticket fiasco

Former India cricketer Akash Chopra has expressed his disappointment regarding the recent Hyderabad ticket fiasco where the passionate fans of the game had to go through a lot of bitter experiences for getting their match tickets for the third and final T20I encounter between India and Australia on Sunday, September 25. 

Raising his voice for the fans, Chopra said that it is indeed a sad day for Indian cricket and people responsible for this action should face the consequences. At the same time, the cricketer-turned-cricket pundit also asked why are the tickets being sold physically in the first place when they are available online.

We have to look after the fans: Aakash Chopra

“I want to mention what happened in Hyderabad is very disappointing -  the chaos for tickets, lathicharge and violence. We have to look after the fans. If they turn away from cricket, what will we be talking about then and celebrate? Whoever is responsible for this, should be held accountable. Justice must be done. We cannot treat fans like this. Buying tickets is their right. Why are we still selling tickets physically when it’s been done online?" Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “Whatever happened, a sad day for Indian cricket," he added.

The tickets for the third T20I were up for sale on the morning of Thursday, September 22 and it so happened that the fans arrived in large numbers as a result of which it created chaos at the Hyderabad Gymkhana Ground. It left the police with no choice, but to resort to lathi charge in order to bring the situation under control. The chaos continued on Friday, September 23 as well.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Cricket Association president Mohammad Azharuddin has denied any wrongdoing on the part of the state cricket association. He sympathised with the fans who were injured on that fateful morning and assured that the HCA will take care of them. 

At the same time, the former India skipper also assured that this incident will not affect the match from taking place on the scheduled day.