Bangladesh 'super fan' Tiger Robi needed medical help after he fell ill on Day 1 of the Kanpur Test.
Bangladeshi’s ardent cricket fan, who dresses as a tiger, was admitted in a hospital after "falling ill" while watching the second Test against India at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Friday (September 27).
The super fan named Robi was in stand C and had to be carried out of the stadium in a state of distress. There were allegations that he was beaten by locals, but the man himself denied such claims later on and attributed his discomfort to a health issue.
It has also been reported that Robi is in India on a medical visa and is suffering from Tuberculosis.
"Robi has reportedly been suffering from Tuberculosis, a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs, and has come to India for his treatment," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chander, as quoted by PTI.
Amid the speculations, a CCTV footage has surfaced on social media, dismissing rumours of mistreatment from the Indian fans.
Further checks on Robi’s visa and travel activities within India are reportedly underway. He has reportedly been discharged from the hospital.
"He was uttering vulgar abuses to Indian cricketers, especially Mohammad Siraj, in Chennai but no one knew the language (Bengali). People did nothing, but here in Kanpur people know the language," a Bangladeshi journalist was quoted by IANS on condition of anonymity.
According to a statement by a police official at the stadium, Robi had been feeling unwell before arriving and fainted due to the heat in the C-upper stand, which had been closed by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) over structural concerns.
"He is fine now, and we took him to Regency Hospital for a check-up. There was no assault, just a case of heat exhaustion," the police official said.
The police also confirmed that Roby had visited a local hospital a day before the start of the Kanpur Test as he was suffering from dehydration and loose motions. This history of health concerns raised questions about his condition during the match, with some speculating whether his prior illness may have triggered his latest health problems.
The incident took place during the first session of the Test match when Robi was seen waving a Bangladeshi flag from the unauthorized stand. This reportedly sparked a confrontation with some Indian spectators. Tensions escalated, and security personnel intervened to diffuse the situation. However, Robi later alleged that during the lunch break, a group of local fans physically assaulted him.
(With PTI Inputs)