If we can't handle crowds, don't have roadshows

Authorities in Bengaluru should not have allowed mass celebrations if they were not fully prepared, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Thursday, a day 11 lives were lost in a stampede during IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru's home coming celebrations.

- HT Correspondent

MUMBAI:

"I was never a believer that we need to have roadshows. When I was playing, I had the same statement to make, even after winning 2007 (T20 World Cup), that we should not have road shows," Gambhir said in Mumbai during India's tour of England predeparture media conference. "I think lives of the people are far more important. I will continue to say that, even in future, I think we can be a little bit (more) aware of not holding these kind of roadshows, and can probably have it in a closed door, or something like this, in a stadium."

Gambhir was referring to a RCB felicitation event on Wednesday where more than two lakh fans turned up around the Chinnaswamy stadium. The stadium has a capacity of only 35,000.