How Jos Buttler became a favorite of the Chennai crowd

Though cricket is a gentleman’s game, but the supporters of the ever charismatic game sometimes forget this fact and come hard at the opponent players. It’s been like this for years and the supporters have done every possible thing to support their team.

Irrespective of how the home team performs and how the opponents fare we must not forget one thing that we are mere spectators and the players are the actual servant of the game. So disrespecting them or showing dissent is absolutely against the morale of the game.

In India, we have witnessed very sporting crowds especially in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. They understand cricket and acknowledge them who plays well. There is never a sense of underestimating your opponents from the spectator’s point of view especially in these stadiums across India. Around 17 years back the Pakistan crowd witnessed one of the most heart touching gestures by the spectators of Chennai.

Sachin Tendulkar had taken India within striking distance of the total set by Pakistan but with 15 runs needed he fell to Saqlain Mushtaq. It was still an easy run chase for India even after Tendulkar’s dismissal but what transpired next left everyone dumbfounded. The Pakistan bowlers wiped out the tail in a matter of seconds handing them a victory by 12 runs.

After their victory, Pakistan was celebrating and it came as a surprise to them when they saw the Chennai crowd giving them a standing ovation despite India’s defeat. As a token of appreciation, the Wasim Akram led team gave a lap of honour around the ground. It was this particular incident that gave the Chennai crowd the tag- “knowledgeable Chennai crowd”.

The Chennai crowd always applauds every good performance and acknowledge the players wholeheartedly. A similar type of an incident also took place during the recently concluded final Test between India and England at the Chepauk where they found a new favourite in the name of Jos Buttler.

It all started during the twilight of the 2nd day’s play when Buttler came to field at the square leg boundary. The crowd started cheering him whenever he turned his head and clapped with him to cheer for the bowler who was running in. They also booed the English skipper Alastair Cook whenever he asked Buttler to field in a different position.

Whatever Buttler did the crowd repeated. Whenever he put his hands on the head to rue a miss chance, the crowd also did the same thing. Both Buttler and the crowd was enjoying the moment.

Whenever a different fielder came to field in the short square leg boundary, the crowds chanted “We want Buttler… We want Buttler…” Irrespective of where he was fielding, the crowd was chanting his name and repeated whatever he did on the ground. The love affair between Buttler and the crowd continued even on Day 3 and 4 until he left the field.

England lost the Test by an innings and 75 runs to surrender the series 0-4 to India. Ravindra Jadeja wrecked havoc in the 2nd innings and finished with career best figures of 7/48.

Here are some more videos of the interaction between the crowd and Buttler