''Fan''s expectations crippled India''s WC''
KINGSTON, March 29: Sympathising with Team India''s
fallen heroes, Sri Lankan stumper Kumar Sangakkara said the weight of a billion expectations had a "crippling effect" on their World Cup campaign.
"To be honest, I feel sorry for India''s cricketers. They''ll now face a torrent of criticism and abuse in the coming weeks. Fanatical fans will no doubt be burning effigies," Sangakkara said.
"The huge expectation places their
players under enormous
pressure. And when that expectation is raised a degree or two, it can easily have a crippling effect," he wrote in a for a sports website.
The Indians crashed out of the showpiece event in the first round itself after losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Their only victory came against minnows Bermuda and the poor show caused a furore in India with fans burning posters and effigies of the otherwise adored players.
Sangakkara said he felt lucky not to be playing for India or Pakistan as Lankan fans were much more forgiving than their neighbours when it came to defeat.
"In Sri Lanka, the general public seem to have a more easy-going perspective. The attitude of our fans makes it easier for us. Yes, we still get our fair share of criticism. There can be mud-slinging in the media too," Sangakarra said.
"But our houses are not stoned when we lose and we can still walk down the street without fearing for our safety. I am grateful for this and really don''t envy the situation of India and Pakistan''s top cricketers," he added, referring to the violent protests in India.
The Lankan keeper, however, admitted that the Indians did not look prepared for the mega-event and their body language bore testimony to it during the preliminary match between the two sides.
"India''s players looked under pressure and their body language betrayed their edginess. This is completely understandable, of course, because they were under an incredible amount of pressure," he said.
Sangakkara also felt that India''s early exit has taken some sheen off the tournament.
"It does seem strange to be starting the Super Eights without India, our Asian neighbours and the global powerhouse of the game.
"It leaves the tournament with a strange emptiness. India''s unbelievable passion for the game always ensures an occasion whenever they take the field. One billion fans and a clutch of high-paying sponsors are naturally bitterly disappointed," he said.