On eve of match, PM steps in to save team from fans

Adding a new dimension to the criticism, Union Minister for Sports Vikram Varma has asked the BCCI to formulate a code of conduct to regulate product endorsements by cricketers.

‘‘An idea is slowly gaining ground that excessive endorsements by cricketers is affecting their performance,’’ Varma told a TV channel.

The appeal ball was set in motion earlier in the day when Sachin met the media in Harare promising to ‘‘fight till the last ball’’ in the coming matches. ‘‘I am here on behalf of the Indian cricket team… We ourselves are very disappointed with the kind of performances we have put up and I also understand the disappointment you have gone through. I am just here to assure all of you that we will be fighting in all the games until the last ball is bowled… so please continue to support us, as you have done in the past, which will surely help us,’’ Tendulkar said in an extraordinary request.

But team captain Saurav Ganguly termed the fans’ reactions back home as ‘‘ridiculous’’. ‘‘We expect criticism when we don’t do well. But to see car windows being broken and homes stoned is ridiculous.’’

He was referring to the incident when angry mobs defaced the residence of Kaif in Allahabad with black paint and motor oil, prompting the administration to provide security cover to residence of some of the cricketers in different cities. Ganguly said the players’ were not concerned about the safety of their families as there was adequate security for them and were entirely focussed on the remaining matches. Ganguly said all was not yet lost for the team and the players were determined to bring the smile back on the face of their fans.