The Bhartiya Janata Party has issued an appeal to the Indian cricket fans not to take India's defeat to Sri Lanka to heart.

India also experienced a humiliating defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the opening match of the 2007 Cricket World Cup in West Indies.

"We appeal to the Indian cricket fans not to take the defeat to their hearts. This keeps on happening in the game. Don't harm the players or their properties for this performance," M Venkaiah Naidu told newsmen at a press conference at his residence.

Fans had attacked the house of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Ranchi after he failed to score against Bangladesh.

Naidu said it was the fans who first turn the players into demi-gods and later when do not perform the same fans turn them into villains. "This is not good for the game. The World Cup may be over but the game of cricket would continue," he said.