While Roby claims to have been attacked by Indian spectators in Kanpur, the police have reportedly refuted the Bangladesh cricket superfan's allegations
A Bangladesh cricket superfan, known as 'Tiger Roby', was rushed to a Kanpur hospital on Friday (September 27, 2024) after allegedly being assaulted by some Indian spectators during the first day of the second India vs Bangladesh Test, at Green Park Stadium. (Match Blog | Streaming | More Cricket News)
“They hit me on my back and lower abdomen and I could not breathe,” Roby was quoted as saying in a Sportstar report, even as the security personnel rushed him to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment.
The report added that the police at the venue refuted Roby's allegations. “One of our officers found him gasping for breath near the C block entrance, and he was struggling to speak. It seems like a case of dehydration, but we will wait for the doctors’ advice,” a police source was quoted as saying in the report.
It is unclear as to what sparked the alleged assault and/or confrontation between the two parties.
An Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI that Roby could not communicate the exact sequence of events, but it was clear that he was in distress.
During an interaction with media, he indicated that he had been punched in his abdomen during an altercation.
"As he came out of the stands, he was wincing in pain and seemed to be fainting. He was given a chair to sit but he fell," the official said.
A police officer present at the stadium said the fan was provided first aid and an ambulance was called for him.
"We do not know if he was hit by somebody. We have a constable in that stand to keep an eye on the fans. We could not understand what he was saying. Probably he had pain.
"The ambulance was taking some time to arrive so the in-stadia medical team has taken him to a nearby facility," the officer said.
Earlier, in the opening session of the second Test, Bengal pacer Akash Deep struck twice in overcast conditions to dislodge both openers but Bangladesh fought back through skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto to reach 74 for two at lunch.
However, India's in-form all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Shanto in front in the post-lunch session to leave the visitors three down, before receding light due to overcast conditions forced play to be stopped. Bangladesh were batting at 107 for three at that stage.
(With PTI inputs)