If cricket is to do well, crowd participation forms a vital component. The more the merrier, as the saying goes. However, experience tells us that this is not always true. It is a fact that crowds in the subcontinent have generally been more vocal and passionate than their counterparts around the world. Sadly, this has often turned nasty, with crowds misbehaving. When the home side is down and out, crowds have resorted to pelting players with various forms of missiles water-bottles, fruits, rolled up pieces and chunks of paper, and even the odd stone. To counter this, stadia across the country have had to implement innovative solutions. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore is a case in point. The long protective nets that separate the playing area from the stands are clearly visible in this photograph.