on November 19, Jyotish Kumar Yadav, a 35-year-old software engineer and ardent supporter of the Indian cricket team, passed away due to a heart attack in his hometown of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The tragedy unfolded after India’s defeat at the hands of Australia in the highly anticipated World Cup 2023.
Yadav, who had returned to Tirupati for the Deepavali holidays, displayed visible tension and anxiety throughout the match as India struggled against Australia. Witnesses reported that he collapsed shortly after the match concluded, with India being all out for 240 runs. Despite moments of joy when the Australian team lost three quick wickets, Yadav complained of chest pain and ultimately collapsed as Australia secured victory.
Efforts were made to rush Yadav to the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati, but tragically, he was declared dead. Friends of the deceased shared that Yadav had experienced elation during the match’s twists and turns but succumbed to the stress of India’s loss.
Tirupati Urban Development Authority chairman Mohith Reddy paid a visit to Yadav’s residence to offer condolences to the grieving family, reflecting the impact of this incident on the local community.
On the finals day, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed an overwhelming display of support for the Indian cricket team, with over 100,000 fans converging to cheer on their favorite players. The stadium, resembling a sea of blue, saw spectators adorned in team jerseys. For those unable to attend in person, the excitement extended to living rooms nationwide, with fans tuning in via TV or Disney+Hotstar, where cricket coverage was available for free during the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The India-Australia Final match garnered record-breaking viewership, reaching a peak of nearly 5.9 crore on Disney+Hotstar.
Australia, having won the toss, opted to put India in to bat. The Australian pacers delivered a formidable performance, bowling out India for a modest 240 runs. While it marked India’s first loss in the tournament, the defeat came in the crucial finals after a series of victories, heightening the disappointment for the team and its ardent supporters.
