Cricket is considered as a gentleman's sport. Fans gather, chants an even sing parodies to support teams and players. However, there have been several moments when fans behaved ruthlessly, hurling abuse to the players, sometimes verbally, sometimes physically. Notably, the English crowd and Australian crowd have been vocal in these matters and have often been called out for passing racial remarks. Several Indian cricketers, including Mohammed siraj in recent days have faced such as she did in the 2020-21 BGT when the stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane had to pause the match until the boozers were taken out from the stadium. However, this is not just limited to only Australia and England. India's Eden Gardens and even Ahmedabad are known for disastrous disputes during matches. Fans are often being tagged as passionate, but at times, their passion causes trouble for players, who are just doing their jobs. Here is a list of five embarrassing crowd reactions during cricket matches. 1 | The 1996 World Cup Semi-Final Riot (Kolkata, India) The 1996 Cricket World Cup semifinal at Eden Gardens in Kolkata remains one of the darkest chapters in cricket’s history. On March 13, 1996, India faced Sri Lanka in a high-stakes match that was expected to be a festival of cricket. Instead, it descended into chaos. India’s batting collapsed from 98/1 to 120/8 while chasing 252, prompting frustration among the passionate Eden crowd. Plastic bottles, fruits, and other missiles were hurled onto the outfield, and portions of the stands were even set on fire. Umpires and match officials attempted to resume play after brief stoppages, but the unruly behaviour continued unabated. With play no longer practical — and safety compromised — match referee Clive Lloyd awarded the game to Sri Lanka by default. Images of Vinod Kambli leaving the ground in tears became emblematic of a day when fan passion crossed into dangerous hooliganism, forcing abandonment of a marquee World Cup semifinal. 2 | Inzamam-ul-Haq vs. “Potato” Fan (Toronto, 1997) In a defining blemish on cricket’s reputation for civility, the 1997 Sahara Cup ODI between India and Pakistan in Toronto saw Pakistan’s prolific batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq breach the boundary between player and spectator. While fielding near the boundary, Inzamam was repeatedly taunted by an Indian fan wielding a megaphone, who hurled insults including calling him “Aloo” — Hind word for “potato.” The relentless abuse tested even Inzamam’s famously composed temperament. In reaction, he stormed into the crowd, fetching a bat from the team area in a bid to confront the heckler. Security, officials, and other spectators quickly intervened, preventing the situation from escalating into a full-blown melee. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incident highlighted how provocations from the crowd can trigger unpredictable and undignified responses from players, challenging the noble ideal of cricket as a “gentleman’s game” and leaving a stain on the sport’s image. 3 | John Snow Targeted by Crowd (Sydney, 1971) During the 1970–71 Ashes Test series at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a clash between competitive intensity and crowd conduct took a disturbing turn. England fast bowler John Snow, one of the tour’s standout performers, became the focal point of crowd hostility after bowling a series of short-pitched deliveries that led to Australian batsman Terry Jenner retiring hurt. Frustrated spectators began booing Snow and pelting the field with beer cans and bottles. On at least one occasion, an intoxicated supporter even physically grabbed Snow near the boundary. As objects rained onto the turf and safety concerns escalated, England captain Ray Illingworth led his side off the field in protest — a rare walk-off in Test cricket. After officials cleared debris and restored order, play resumed, but the episode signified a dramatic breach of spectator etiquette. 4 | The "Yellow Toothbrush" Incident in Galle The “Yellow Toothbrush” incident at the Galle International Stadium in the late 1990s and early 2000s was an unusual example of crowd heckling in cricket. Unlike violent crowd episodes, this involved coordinated psychological taunts rather than physical danger. Groups of local spectators positioned on the Galle Fort ramparts would hold up large yellow toothbrushes whenever certain visiting players—mainly from Australia or England—came near the boundary or were dismissed. The gesture mocked dental hygiene, skin tone stereotypes, or, at times, a player’s endorsement image, aiming to distract and unsettle them through confusion rather than abuse. While some dismissed it as harmless banter, several players found the act intrusive due to its organized nature and timing during live play. As a result, authorities later tightened security on the fort walls to restrict the use of large props. 5 | Champagne Corks at Lord’s: KL Rahul (London, 2021) Cricket’s traditions and rituals at iconic venues like Lord’s are usually steeped in decorum and respect. But during the India vs England second Test at Lord’s in August 2021, an unusual and disruptive crowd moment punctured that aura. While India’s KL Rahul was fielding near the boundary on the third day, spectators began hurling champagne bottle corks into the playing area, some landing perilously close to him. The bizarre scene prompted Indian captain Virat Kohli to gesture to Rahul to return the objects to the crowd to defuse the situation. Play was briefly halted as players and umpires discussed the incident, though the match continued. While the thrown corks were not life-threatening, the episode underscored a lapse in fan behavior where celebratory crowd culture crossed over into distraction and disrespect toward on-field competitors.