5 instances when Indian cricketers had to face racial abuse

The third test match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground has found itself embroiled in a huge controversy after Indian bowlers Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah alleged that they were racially abused by a section of the Australian fans during the fag end of the third day’s play between India and Australia. The two players bought the matter to the notice of Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane who promptly took it to the match officials. The fourth day also saw some more incidents of the same which saw the Australian police eject a few fans out of the stadium. In this article we have a look at five incidents of racial abuse that were directed at Indian players.

When Aakash Chopra was called a Paki 

Former Indian opening batsman Aakash Chopra was once called a Paki by his opposition when he was playing in the English league as a professional cricketer. Chopra said that this incident occurred when two players of South African origin had abused the former Indian opener and called him this derogatory term. Chopra said it was the support of his teammates that saw him through this rough phase.

Pujara during his Yorkshire stint

Indian test batman Cheteshwar Pujara too had to undergo the ignominy of being racially abused while he was at Yorkshire as an overseas professional cricketer. Post the coming out of Azeem Rafiq and speaking out against the institutional racism, it was said that few members from Yorkshire had referred to the Indian batsman as Steve.

Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah 

The most unpleasant incident that came to light during the fag end of the third day’s play between India and Australia. The two Indian bowlers Siraj and Bumrah took the matter up to the Indian captain Rahane and told him about the racial abuse meted out to them. The matter was quickly discussed with the umpired and an official complaint was lodged by the Indian team management and the board.

Irfan Pathan facing racism during his Under-16 days

Former Indian all rounder Irfan Pathan too had to face racism when he was playing in the under 16 age group. Irfan Pathan who spoke about the racism he faced post his retirement said that he was always referred with a particular racially insensitive term by a few members of the team, but that stopped when he confided in them how much he was hurt by such a word being used.

Shane Warne and Pujara 

Former Australian great Shane Warne too faced the ire of the media and Indian fans when during the first test match Adelaide this year between India and Australia the former Australian legend was heard calling Cheteshwar Pujara as “Steve” because of his inability to pronounce the first name of Pujara.