Dreams die, fans raise hell

We still have four games to go.’’ These words of Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly doesn’t seem to have any takers back home in W...

We still have four games to go.’’ These words of Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly doesn’t seem to have any takers back home in West Bengal where even his ardent supporters seem to have lost their cool with him and his team!

Last evening, when news of the Indian team’s defeat trickled in some of his supporters switched their TVs off. Others, more volatile, garlanded cutouts of Sourav with a slogan which read: ‘‘We’re sad about Sourav’s untimely death.’’

But the outburst took final shape when a funeral procession of Sourav — from Eden Gardens to Babughat — was taken out by the Youth Forum. Demonstrations were also held near his Behala home.

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“It’s very sad,’’ said Bengal football legend Chuni Goswami who had also led the state’s cricket team in Ranji from 1971 to 1972. “I am ashamed about what has happened since yesterday. After all it’s only human to fail. But we forgot that.’’

Sourav’s family seem to have taken all in their stride. ‘‘At least nothing has happened in front of our house. Someone told me trouble took place near Behala Chowrasta. But we aren’t bothered,’’ Indian Captian’s wife Dona told The Indian Express.

Samabaran Banerjee, Bengal’s former cricket team captain said: ‘‘These slogans and acts are shameful.’’ A veteran Bengali Test player Pranab Roy, also a member of National Selection Committee of Indian Cricket team, said: ‘‘I have no comments, all I can say is it’s unfortunate.’’

In Allahabad Mohammad Kaif’s family realised that public memory is indeed short. On Sunday morning, a group of irate locals, following India’s dismal performance in the World Cup in general and Kaif’s in particular, blackened the walls of his house. They also had plans to burn his effigy.

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The family has sought police protection in apprehension of more violent reactions. ‘‘There are black patches on the walls of our house, forcing us to seek police protection,’’ said Mohammad Saif, Kaif’s elder brother.

In July when Kaif stole the limelight with his spectacular 87 ensuring a win against England at the Lord’s, narrow bylanes in Allahabad had reverberated with praise. But now the same streets echo voices of protest. ‘‘It happens and we have to face it,’’ said Saif.