Innocent bystanders — in the case of the current IPL, an elderly fan — being struck by the ball is one of sport’s least desirable sights. Someone watching from the sidelines suddenly becomes part of the action, the dividing line having disappeared. It is worrying. Luckily the fan who was injured in New Chandigarh during a match last week seems all right. Unsurprisingly, questions are being asked about spectator safety in our stadiums.
But that is only one aspect. There are larger issues regarding the spectator experience in Indian stadiums where people have been refused entry for wearing a black shirt or had their medicines seized.
Published – May 06, 2026 12:30 am IST
