A 17-year-old speech-impaired boy has allegedly been beaten to death in India after a misunderstanding during the T20 World Cup final on Sunday.

The victim, Kundan Kumar, was attacked in Jakkopur village under Mahnar police station while watching the match on a cellphone with other local youths. 

Kundan, son of farmer Brijkishor Rai and the youngest of four siblings, lived in ward number 18 of the village.

Police identified the accused as Kisan Kumar, 17, son of Visunkant Thakur, a resident of the same neighborhood.

According to villagers, the boys were watching the final together when Kundan shouted as India lost a wicket. Other youths allegedly misinterpreted his reaction as a celebration of India’s wicket, which triggered an argument that quickly escalated into a physical fight.

Kundan’s mother said the incident happened suddenly.

“On March 8, Kundan went out of the house for some work. It is not known how he ended up near those people. Some boys from the village were watching the match on a cellphone. My son also started watching there,” she said.

She added, “When India’s first wicket fell, Kundan screamed. They thought he was happy about the wicket falling. The youths beat him up and smashed his head.”

Locals rushed Kundan to Mahnar Community Health Centre, where he received primary treatment. Doctors referred him to Hajipur Sadar Hospital and then to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) due to the severity of his injuries. Kundan, however, died on the way to Patna early Monday morning.

Mahnar SDPO Praveen Kumar said that the assault took place in a mutual dispute between two youths over watching cricket. During the altercation, Kundan fell on a stone after being pushed, which caused serious injuries. He was being taken to the PMCH for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Police have said that a forensic team visited the spot and collected samples from the crime scene. Two teams have been formed to track down the accused, and raids are underway to apprehend him.