After being subjected to racial abuse at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the third Test, the Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Siraj was reportedly labeled a “grub” by a group of fans at The Gabba on Day 1 of the fourth Test against Australia on Friday. The Indian team had lodged an official complaint after the crowd at the SCG allegedly racially abused the fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj over the second and third days of the Sydney Test.
In fact, Cricket Australia even started an investigation to churn out the people who passed on the comments. According to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald, Siraj didn’t spend much time in front of section 215 and 216 at the Gabba on Friday, but one of the spectators there, who asked to be identified only by the first name – said that the fast bowler was repeatedly called a “grub” by vocal spectators.
ALSO READ: Shane Warne And Mark Waugh Criticized Pant For His Chirping
Siraj was not the only Indian player who faced the unruly behavior of the crowd, debutant spinner Washington Sundar was also called “grub” by the spectators.
As per the quotes in the newspaper, a spectator named Kate said, “The guys behind me have been calling – shouting – both Washington and Siraj grubs. It started targeted at Siraj and it was a chant similar to the SCG one. But this time it was Siraj. I suspect it’s not a coincidence that it’s Siraj being targeted post the SCG stuff. At one point, a man in that section was heard yelling, ‘Siraj, give us a wave, give us a wave, give us a wave. Siraj, you bloody grub.'”
None of the Indian cricketers sent to the field at the boundary registered a reaction to anything said by crowd members all day. Aside from Siraj and Washington being called “grubs”, the rest of the 12,998 fans in attendance appeared to be on close to their best behavior.
WATCH – Rishabh Pant Almost Pleaded Ajinkya Rahane To Go For A DRS
At Stumps on the opening day, Tim Paine (38*) and Cameron Green (28*) stood tall as Australia’s score read 274/5. Building on the knock from Labuschagne (108), the duo made a brilliant partnership of 61 runs to help the hosts end the day with the honors. For India, debutant T Natarajan picked two wickets on Day 1.
