Boos and some support for Sreesanth on social networks

Kolkata - Enraged fans have taken to social networking sites to vent their anger with caustic comments about tainted cricketer S. Sreesanth and his two Rajasthan Royals teammates arrested May 16 in connection with spot fixing in IPL.

Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan are now facing intense grilling in Delhi Police custody for their alleged role in one of the biggest scams to hit Indian cricket.

Through posts laced with sarcasm, fans have brushed aside Sreesanth’s claim of being innocent.

“Joke of the day. Sreesanth is telling I am innocent,” wrote a Facebook regular on the Sreesanth fan club page.

Snide remarks about his expenditures and earnings through spot fixing have become the norm.

“Sreesanth went to buy clothes from Diesel’s showroom in Mumbai where he spent Rs.1.95 lakh. From the money which he got from spot fixing, he also bought a Blackberry Z10 phone for his girl friend,” ran a comment.

But boos aside, some netizens have pledged unwavering faith in the bowler.

“Whatever happens, I will support Sreesanth,” said a believer on the Sreesanth page.

Interestingly, the mixed comments have led to an online war of words among the two groups (believers and those against Sreesanth), evident from taunts by the non-believers.

A taunt to the “supporters” goes: “You go and stay with him in jail, supporters”.

Sreesanth, who is only the second cricketer from Kerala to have represented the country, has played in 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20s.