‘We’re being disrespected’: England fans furious at treatment in 1st India test

England fans have continued to face problems during the first Test in Hyderabad, with over-zealous security, a lack of suitable drinking water and little help for the disabled all proving major issues.

Supporters have complained about heavy-handed security on entry to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, with sunscreen, water bottles and hand sanitiser being confiscated when they were searched at the gates.

Travelling fans had been warned of the tough measures before the series began, but many are dismayed at the lack of common sense being shown by the authorities – particularly over the lack of water available to buy inside the stadium and the confiscation of sun protection in a city where the temperature hit 29 degrees on Friday.

i understands the scarcity of water has forced supporters to miss much of the action on the field, such are the long queues to access the limited supply inside the ground. And the problems are exacerbated by the fact many of the estimated 1,000 travelling fans are over the age of 60.

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Derek Myers, an experienced tour leader with Sports Links Travel who has 34 people in Hyderabad, told i: “People are making the best of it and enjoying the experience but in my opinion they are being put at unnecessary risk by the authorities.

“England tour operators were told we would have seats in the south stand level one that pretty much gets shade all day but at the last minute told us north stand level 1. It is a great view but in full sun all day.

“The regulations are no liquids including water, sun block and hand sanitizer with the only options for drink in the ground being local cola and orange, both extremely sweet and pure sugar. Water is available from big urns but as no bottles are allowed into the ground we have to use the old cups from where we have bought the sugary drinks.

“I am pretty sure we are paying more than anyone else in the stadium and in my opinion are being disrespected by the authorities. Despite this people are enjoying the experience but leaving their seats in the sun to seek shade in other stands.

“It could be made such a better experience if the authorities were not so strict and had a little more compassion.”

David Covill, an England fan from Essex, told i via X: “No bags, no water, no suntan cream etc etc. Even made you turn your phones off as you arrived so you didn’t film the game.

“Been here too many times to be surprised. The toilets were still locked up after play had started. Worse thing – if you left from a different gate you went in they made you go back in the ground and leave by the correct gate!”

i was also approached in Hyderabad by Chris Whitehead from Chard, Somerset, on behalf of his friend Pat Baddeley, 70, from Oxford. Pat suffers with inclusion body myositis, a degenerative muscle disease. This is his fourth tour of India following England. The group arrived on 23 January and will attend all five Tests. Entry to the Hyderabad Test for five days was £37.

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Pat said: “I have difficulty climbing the stairs. There is lift access, but we had point blank refusal to use it. Firstly no-one told us about the lift yesterday, so we had to climb all those steps [seats located in second tier]. Then we found a lift today, basically a service lift.

“I don’t have a problem with that. But there just seems to be very little facilities for the disabled.

“The stewards at the entrance gates were so unhelpful, in contrast to the police. Yesterday we had to walk all the way from the drop-off point [500m outside the stadium] but today the police let us drive up to the gates. Though we managed to use the service lift today there are no guarantees we can use it again tomorrow.

“It took about half an hour to sort out. We just want more help from the stewards. I would happily pay more for my ticket if it meant a more sympathetic response from the stewards.”

i spoke on Pat’s behalf to the media hospitality chief at the ground, who pledged to escort him to the lift at the close of play. i has also contacted the Hyderabad Cricket Association, who are hosting this match, for comment.