IND vs BAN: Bangladeshi Superfan Alleged Attack by Spectators at Green Park, Rushed to Hospital, Stable; Kanpur Police Denies Assault Speculation

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Kanpur, Sep 27: A Bangladeshi cricket fan, known as "Tiger Robie," was rushed to the hospital on Friday (September 27) after an alleged altercation with local spectators during the opening day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium.

The incident occurred during lunch when Robie, a well-known superfan of the Bangladesh cricket team, reportedly fell unconscious after being struck in the abdomen. Security personnel stationed at the venue immediately responded and escorted him to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to reports, the confrontation began earlier in the day when Robie was seen standing in the C Block of the stadium, waving the Bangladesh national flag and chanting slogans in support of his team.

Tensions, apparently, rose as Robie engaged in a verbal spat with local spectators seated below the stands. Shortly after, during the lunch break, he claimed to have been physically attacked by a group of fans, leading to his collapse.

Robie, while being taken to the hospital, told the media: "They hit me on my back and lower abdomen, and I could not breathe." He was quickly taken to Regency Hospital by police and security officials for medical attention.

However, in a statement issued from his hospital bed later, he said he merely felt unwell and was given the requisite assistance by the local police. "I fell ill and the police brought me to the hospital. Now I am feeling much better. My name is Robie and I have come from Bangladesh," he stated in a short video clip.

Kanpur Police, later, released an official video statement saying Robie was fine and there was no proof of heckling or assault on his body. He suffered from dehydration. Abhishek Pandey, ACP (Kalyanpur), said the superfan received immediate medical care and insisted that he had not been assaulted as alleged in early reports.

"Now his health is fine and a liaison officer has been deputed with him so that if he faces any problem, he can be provided immediate help. No incident of assault has happened with him," said ACP Kalyanpur Abhishek Pandey in the video released by Police Media Cell.

Quashing the reports of assault, the officer further stated, "There were some reports of assault but these are baseless, no such incident happened with him. He might have taken a fall, this is what we have been able to gather."

Earlier, an Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association official said Roby could barely communicate what exactly had happened. "As he came out of the stands, he was wincing in pain and seemed to be fainting. He was given a chair to sit but he fell," the official said.

In the wake of the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh ever since the interim government came into power in the country, protests were held by some local right-wing organisations in Kanpur against hosting the Test match. The state and local administration, however, ensured no untoward incident happened in the run-up to the match. Tight security arrangements were made in and around the stadium.

India is currently leading the two-match Test series 1-0 after a comprehensive victory in the first Test in Chennai. India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first and Bangladesh reached 107/3 in 35 overs before bad light and rain forced the day's play to be called off.