Former India batsman Aakash Chopra has recalled that he faced racist comments during his stint in English league cricket. His remarks come a day after West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy accused of being subjected to racism within the SunRisers Hyderabad camp. Chopra said during a league match in England, two-South African players continuously used abusive spree against him.
On his Youtube Channel, Chopra said, “We (cricketers) at one point or the other, have been victims of racism. I remember when I used to play league cricket in England, there were two South African is one of the opposition teams and both of them really went on an abusive spree. Even when I was at the non-striker’s end, they were after my life. They were constantly calling me Paki.”
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He further explained, “Now many believe Paki is a short form of Pakistan but that is not true. If you are brown-skinned. If you’re anywhere from the Asian subcontinent, this term is used to racially abuse. You”re called Paki, and nobody likes it. The moment you call anybody Paki in England, you know the intention behind it. That”s what happened to me at that time. My team stood by me but the truth is the person in front of me was doing it.”
The veteran, who played 10 Tests for India between 2003 and 2004, has further explained racism is one of the grassroot problems in every part of the world. He cited the example of Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds who faced racism in India.
Aakash Chopra said, “It happens everywhere. If you are white-skinned, it happens with them too when they come to this part of the world. They are also subjected to this kind of behavior. In fact, when Andrew Symonds came to India, so many Monkey chants started filling up the Wankhede Stadium. That is when people were told that your entry will be banned.”
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Sammy has been a vocal supporter of the protests that are currently going on in the United States over the death of an African-American man named George Floyd.
