The Indian team management on Saturday (January 9) filed a complaint about two of their pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, being subjected to racial abuse in the ongoing Test against Australia at SCG.
Reacting on this matter, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said that the gentleman's game has no place for such behaviour and the board secretary Jay Shah is aware of the issue and is in touch with the team.
"We have come to know about the issue. Cricket is a gentleman's game and these kinds of things are not allowed or accepted. The team management is dealing with the matter. The BCCI as well as the ICC is aware of it and there are ICC rules and provisions which forbid anyone from making comments that are racial in nature,” Shukla told ANI.
"In spite of that, if somebody is using racial comments, I think the Australian court should take cognizance of it and these kinds of incidents must be prevented. There is no place for such acts and these kinds of things are not allowed or accepted. I think every board should take cognizance of it and take strict measures to ensure such acts aren't repeated," he added.
There were dramatic scenes outside the Indian dressing rooms after stumps on Day 3, with ICC and stadium security officers locked in long discussions with Bumrah, Siraj and members of team management.
Senior Indian players including skipper Ajinkya Rahane also had a word with the match officials and security officials at the end of play.
India’s ongoing Test series against Australia has also been marred by another controversy as the reports of visiting team expressing unwillingness to travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test emerged last week.
The reluctance came after it was reported that due to strict health protocol rules in the state of Queensland, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side needs to undergo another round of hard quarantine with players not even allowed to venture out of their rooms.
Commenting on the fourth Test at the Gabba, Shukla said: "As far as Brisbane is concerned, the comfort of the player should be kept in mind. They have already been in this process of isolation and have followed all guidelines. So, their interest should also be kept in mind."
(With ANI inputs)
