How One Moment Showed India’s Civic Decay - Autograph Culture Is Ruining Sports Etiquette
When Clout Kills: A cricket Moment That Exposed Our Civic Rot
🔥 This wasn’t cute. This wasn’t harmless. This was embarrassing.
At an international match—India vs South Africa—with pressure, focus, and national pride on the line, a basic sense of civic behaviour went missing. While Shivam Dube was fully padded up, mentally switched on, and seconds away from walking in to bat, a child began shouting his name for attention, seeking an autograph at the worst possible moment.
And instead of correcting the child, the adults around him laughed. Applauded. Encouraged it.
That’s not fandom. That’s failure.
A Player at the Edge of Pressure
Batting at the international level isn’t casual.
It’s not a school match or a selfie zone.
When a player like shivam dube is padded up, every second before stepping onto the field is about focus, rhythm, and calm. Disturbing that moment is not enthusiasm—it’s disrespect.
This isn’t a meet-and-greet.
It’s international cricket.
The Child Isn’t the Problem—The Adults Are
Children act out. That’s normal.
Adults are supposed to correct, not clap.
Instead of teaching the child timing, restraint, or respect, the adults around him laughed and reportedly encouraged it with a smug “Very good.”
Very good?
For interrupting a professional at work?
That’s how entitlement is taught.
Civic Sense Is Not Optional
Cheering in the stands? Absolutely.
Supporting players? Always.
Disrupting them mid-duty? Never.
There is a line between passion and nuisance. Civil societies teach their children where that line is. Here, the line was trampled—and celebrated.
Why This Matters More Than It Seems
Today, it’s a cricketer being disturbed.
Tomorrow, it’s someone at work, in transit, or in crisis.
Civic sense doesn’t switch on only in “important” places.
It’s either taught—or it isn’t.
And when parents laugh at bad behaviour, they normalise it.
Fans Are Guests, Not Owners
Buying a ticket does not buy access to a player’s concentration.
Fandom does not mean entitlement.
Athletes don’t owe autographs on demand—especially not seconds before doing their job for the country.
Respect is not a favour.
It’s the bare minimum.
Final Word
This moment should make us uncomfortable—not amused.
If we can’t teach our children when to cheer and when to stay quiet, then the problem isn’t the kid shouting a name.
The problem is the adults clapping for it.
🏏 Cricket deserves passion.
Players deserve respect.
And kids deserve better lessons.