'Boycott the Minister, not the game'- Shashi Tharoor opens up on poor turnout in IND-SL clash

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor clarified his controversial remark on the low-attendance in the 3rd ODI between India and Sri Lanka, stating that the controversial statement made by Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman was completely misunderstood.

The 3rd and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka saw a record low-attendance, almost a half-empty stadium so to speak. If sources are to be believed, only 5000 tickets were sold for the match. Interestingly enough, some people initially speculated the low attendance with their local boy Sanju Samson's absence from the Indian squad.

However, it is believed to be a protest by the fans against the Kerala Sports Minister, who made a very harsh comment with regard to attending the match. Though, one of the popular political figure from Kerala put forth his views regarding the matter.

Boycott only hurt the future prospects of cricket: Shashi Tharoor appeals to fans

Taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter, in a series of tweets, Tharoor clarified the controversial stating that it was completely misinterpreted. Fans should have stood against the Sports minister rather than not going to watch the match.

“It appears that my statement yesterday regretting the poor attendance at the third India-Sri Lanka ODI, as a result of the social media boycott urged by fans enraged by the insensitive remarks of the Kerala Sports Minister, has been misrepresented by some.”

1. It appears that my statement yesterday regretting the poor attendance at the third India-SriLanka ODI, as a result of the social media boycott urged by fans enraged by the insensitive remarks of the Kerala Sports Minister, has been misrepresented by some.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 16, 2023

“Boycotts are a democratic right, but they should target the person against whom the boycotters are protesting. I have nothing against those who were understandably outraged by the Minister’s callous comment that those who can’t afford to buy a ticket need not attend the match. The Sports Minister, who didn’t bother enough to even attend the match, doesn’t care if the gallery is full or empty. He was unaffected by the boycott. The protestors should have boycotted the Minister, not the game. The boycott only hurt the future prospects of cricket in Tvm."

Kerala Sports Minister Abdurahiman had sparked off a major controversy by saying that those who cannot afford it need not go to watch the match.

“What is the need for reducing the tax? The demand is that the country is witnessing the phenomenon of price rise so that the tax should be reduced. Those who are starving need not go to watch the match,” the Minister had remarked.

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