India’s sports minister Wednesday sought to reassure Australia’s cricketers about their safety after a rock shattered a window on the bus taking them to their hotel after a series-levelling win in the second Twenty20 international.
The incident in the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati was the second in two months, after Cricket Australia said in September that the team’s bus window was broken by a “small rock or stone” in Bangladesh after a Test match.
“Pretty scary having a rock thrown through the team bus window on the way back to the hotel!!,” batsman Aaron Finch tweeted after the eight-wicket win against India.
The photo he posted on Twitter showed a shattered window pane with a large hole.
Pretty scary having a rock thrown through the team bus window on the way back to the hotel!! pic.twitter.com/LBBrksaDXI
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) October 10, 2017
Indian Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, an Olympic silver medallist in shooting, said there were tight security arrangements in place for the Australian side and the football teams participating in the Fifa Under-17 World Cup. Guwahati is one of the six venues for the tournament.
Guwahati stone-throwing incident NOT reflective of our security measures. Aus team & FIFA are content w/those. India remains a graceful host
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) October 11, 2017
Have spoken to @sarbanandsonwal ji about the Guwahati incident. Personal security of visiting athletes & teams is extremely important for us
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) October 11, 2017
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also condemned the incident in a series of tweets, saying that a police investigation is “in full swing” and two suspects have been detained.
Really unfortunate incident after a great game aimed to tarnish Guwahati's reputation as emerging sports hub. We strongly condemn it. (1/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
Vow to take strictest action against the culprits. Investigation is on full swing & Police have already picked up 2 suspects. (2/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
Yesterday, we had a great game. We had the best audiences. People of Assam are biggest sports lovers & great hosts. (3/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
People of Assam don't approve this. #FIFAU17WC going on in Guwahati. FIFA & all teams expressed their satisfaction at our arrangements.(4/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
Yesterday, we witnessed a spectacular game & great display of sportsman spirit by the audience. Both teams were given a rousing welcome(5/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
Performances by both the teams were hailed by audience, expressing people's commitment towards turning Assam as Sports Capital of India(6/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
So, whoever got indulged in the hooliganism did it on the sole objective of defaming Assam & derailing its journey towards the top. (7/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
That's a design we will foil with the support of the people of Assam. Culprits will face full force of law & given exemplary punishment(8/8)
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) October 11, 2017
Cricket Australia’s news site cricket.com.au said no one was hurt when the window was broken by a rock roughly the size of a cricket ball, but the Australian players were “understandably shaken up”.
A CA spokesman told AFP they were “satisfied with the levels of security provided”. The final T20 game will be played in Hyderabad on Friday.