AUS v IND 2020-21: "This is not how Australia wants to be viewed," McGrath on racial abuse of India players

Indian pacers have been at the receiving end of racist comments from the SCG crowd.

Group of spectators at SCG are escorted from their seats by police after Siraj's complaint | Getty

Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were hurled by racist comments from a section of the crowd late on Day 3 of the third Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.  A complaint was submitted by BCCI and even an investigation has been commenced by the ICC.

However, a similar incident happened to Siraj in the second session on Day 4, more than 5 fans were evicted out of the ground following a complaint from Siraj to the umpires, and only then was play allowed to resume.

Following such embarrassing incidents for Australia and especially Sydney, former Australian speedster Glenn McGrath has called for strict action against the culprits who are tarnishing the image of Aussies around the world.

AUS v IND 2020-21: “I've dealt with it in past and it’s absolutely unacceptable,” Ashwin on SCG crowd’s racial abuse

Glenn McGrath told Sony Sports Networks, "If there were racist comments, they should be prosecuted because there is no room for that. They should get those guys and find out what happened and interview the people around."

"That looks bad not only for Cricket Australia, SGG trust but all Australians and that's not how we are as a culture. That's not the way we want to be viewed from other countries," he added.

To the surprise of a few, Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday also revealed similar incidents that have happened with the Indian team in the past at the SCG.

He said during a virtual press conference, "I would like to point out something, this is my fourth tour to Australia and Sydney especially here, we have had these type of experiences in the past as well.

I think one or two times players have reacted to this in the past and they have gotten into trouble, it is not because of the player, it is because of the way the crowd has been reacting. The fans have been quite nasty, but this is one occasion where they have gone one step ahead, it is a case of racial abuse."

(With inputs from ANI)

 
 

By Sameer Deodhar - 10 Jan, 2021

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