Yuvraj’s finger goes up after waterboy remark

Spectators at the members stand passing comments on Yuvraj Singh led to an ugly altercation during the first day of the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka at the P. Sara Oval here on Tuesday.

According to reports, Yuvraj showed a bunch of revellers the middle finger, infuriating them, after being heckled and called a ‘water boy’ as he carried drinks to his teammates on the field. The apparently intoxicated spectators also termed him ‘unfit.’ Yuvraj did not figure in the playing 11 and was named the 12th man.

The situation was brought under control after police intervened. “It is the members’ stand of the Tamil Union Club. I can’t say whether they targeted Yuvraj because I was not present. Yuvraj is much loved in Sri Lanka,” said Tony Perera, CEO of the club.

Indian team manger Ranjib Biswal noted that an official complaint has been lodged. “The crowd was trying to misbehave with the player. He did not provoke the crowd, I was sitting next to him when it happened. It’s only a basic human tendency to react after repeated provocations. The police took a few spectators out,” confirmed Biswal.

The Club in their own capacity are making a few changes to ensure a trouble free match. “We will take preventive measures tomorrow. The Taverners section was built to add lustre to the club and not for fans to intoxicate themselves and behave in a way that is detrimental to the game. It’s a part of the place. A few people do not represent the entire club. I am still looking into the details of the trouble makers. Necessary action will be taken shortly,” added Perera.

Later in the evening, police arrested the three spectators who had created trouble and remanded them to custody.