Racism hits Cricket again, Police escorts out the spectators

Mohammed Siraj was racially abused by a bunch of Australian spectators in Sydney. He reported to the on-field umpire and the match was halted for nearly eight minutes. Later on, the New South Wales Police removed the spectators.

Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj have complained about racial abuses on Day 3 as well. They consulted their skipper Rahane who had a chat with the umpires. The same thing happens on day 4 and Siraj does not delay reporting the matter to the umpires.

Racism has been an ever-burning issue all over the World. The Sports fraternity does not escape the venomous scare of racism.

Racist Snarls : Monkeygate Scandal

The racism in Australian Sports Arena is nothing new. India has faced it numerous times during their tours to Australia. From the live-audience boos to exaggerated media trials, Australia has always used racism as a strategic move to distract the visiting team.

This Sydney Cricket Ground has seen the infamous “MonkeyGate Scandal” in 2008 between Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. Andrew Symonds had accused Harbhajan of racially abusing him by calling him “Monkey”. Sachin Tendulkar was batting at the opposite end while this happened. Andrew informed the on-field umpires who were joined in by the then Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting and others.

The matter escalated to the courtroom and Harbhajan Singh was handed a three-match ban which was later overturned and Singh walked free of any racial charges.

This incident had scaled up the tension between India and Australia so much that BCCI had threatened to return the team without the completion of the series. Nevertheless, India continued the series with a monumental comeback at Perth, beating the home team by 72 runs.

I personally have heard many things on the field while playing in Australia about Me My religion My colour and much more..This isn’t the first time the crowd is doing this nonsense..How do u stop them ?? #AUSvIND

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 10, 2021

Very unfortunate to see what’s happening at SCG. There is no place for this rubbish. Never understood the need to yell abuse at players on a sporting field.. If you’re not here to watch the game and can’t be respectful, then pls don’t come and spoil the atmosphere. #AUSvIND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 10, 2021

Unacceptable behaviour there is no place for racism, I hope this is dealt in the most severe way. #AUSvIND

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 10, 2021

Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary Iines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It's sad to see this happen on the field.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 10, 2021

Harbhajan Singh also tweeted about the abuses that he faced while touring Australia. The other veterans like Tom Moody, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli have expressed their anguishes on social media.

However, Aussie captain, Tim Paine, discussed the matter with the Indian skipper and had a chat with the umpires regarding the matter.

Australian Cricket Board has issued their statement regarding the matter and apologized to the Indian cricketers for such unruly behavior.

We have launched an investigation in parallel with NSW Police following a crowd incident at the SCG today. Full statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/D7Qu3SenHo

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 10, 2021

Cricket is a gentlemen’s game. Two friendly rivals are playing with tremendous spirit in Sydney. Such incidents are only ruining an otherwise competitive game of cricket.