Mirpur (Bangladesh): Sudhir Gautam, the biggest fan of Sachin Tendulkar and Team India today gave a detailed account of how he was teased, abused and beaten up by Bangladesh supporters in Mirpur.
Sudhir, who always accompanies Team India on its overseas tours, was hooted and attacked by the over-joyous Bangladeshi fans after the second India-Bangladesh ODI match in Mirpur.
Sharing his account, Sudhir said, “I exited from Gate no. 1 where I had left my bag. When I went into salon, they gathered around me. The salon people shut down the shutter and when lifted it up after 10 minutes, there were two policemen.”
The crowd did not leave him alone even after that and kept attacking him. “With their help, I went to gate number 2. In the meantime Bangladesh fans were teasing me, pulling my flag and pant. But somehow, with the help of cops I reached to an auto-rickshaw. Even after that, they did not leave me alone and swung batons on the auto and pelted stones.”
Sudhir said that even the auto-rickshaw driver misbehaved with him. “When I reached the hotel, the driver asked me to pay 700 taka which I didn't have. He got angry and took me back to the Gate no. 3 of the stadium. A motorcycle rider gave me ride and dropped me to the hotel,” he said.
When asked to comment on the security provided by the Bangladesh police, Sudhir got emotional and expressed his gratitude.
“I want to thank Bangladesh police. I wouldn't even be alive if not for them,” said Sudhir.
He said that the several police officers including commissioner and deputy commissioner came to see him and promised security.
The police have provided security to the super fan and will be with him on his Bangladesh stay.
When asked if any of the Team India players has contacted him after the incident he responded in negative. He, however, added that media manager RN Baba met him and gave him his number for any emergency.
In a message to cricket fans, he said that they should support cricket and not disturb anyone else.
