Indian fans are the most immature, says Mike Atherton

London:

Indian supporters are the "most immature" lot in the world of cricket and they should grow up and accept defeat as an essential part of the game, said former England captain Mike Atherton.

In an article in 'The Times', Atherton said Indian fans need to understand that the team they support would not win everything.

"It is time for Indian cricket supporters to grow up and accept defeat as an essential part of the game. Sport is not about winning it is about losing. Trust me, we in English cricket know more about that than anyone," he said.
"They will lose in various ways - some thrillingly, some abjectly - but lose they will. It is what makes the moments of triumph all the more special.

In its bid to make the five-day game more attractive, the MCC has some innovative ideas up its sleeve, including organising neutral matches and hosting day-night Tests.

"At the MCC, we are purists and traditionalists, and we're doing whatever we can to promote Test cricket. We're looking to stage neutral Test matches, we're looking at the concept of day-night Test cricket," Bradshaw was quoted as saying in the 'Herald Sun'.

The MCC had planned to host England and Bangladesh under lights next year at Lords, but the controversial experiment will probably be delayed as the hunt for an appropriate ball continues, the report said.