Published: Dec 22, 2016, 10:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2016, 10:37 PM (IST)
Despite losing the fifth Test at Chennai against India, England managed to take some positive memories with them. As it is known that the Chennai crowd is famous for being very sporting and knowledgeable, during the final Test, they lived up to their reputation. During the final match of the series, Chennai crowd got their new favourite in England’s Jos Buttler. Yes, you read it correct. It was Buttler, who won many hearts from the crowd at Chennai during the match. Buttler’s on-field activities earned him many new fans while he was fielding around the ropes of the ground. Every time, Buttler turned his face towards crowd, people at the stands cheered for him.
Buttler once signalled the crowd to calm down but Chennai crowd was not in mood to listen and continued chanting. Both fans and Buttler enjoyed their time until England captain Alastair Cook changed the fielder’s position. “We want Buttler… We want Buttler…”, crowd chanted when Buttler was asked to move to the different part of the ground. This affair between crowd began on Day Three and continued till the fourth day till the time English players left the field. Buttler did acknowledged the crowd on many occasions when he was being cheered by the fans.
England lost the match by an inning and 75 runs in the end but Buttler ensured some fans from Chennai crowd. He will be soon back to India in January to play the One-Day and Twenty20 International series.
Also, not to forget that it was the same Chennai crowd which won the heart of Pakistani players in 1999, when India lost the Test despite Sachin Tendulkar stunning 136 in the final innings. That match gave Chennai crowd the tag of being a “knowledgeable crowd”.
