BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla seems to be having a pretty strong opinion on the issue of the Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were racially abused by the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the second and third day of the ongoing Pink Test between India and Australia. During a recent chat with ANI, Shukla said that the gentleman’s game has no place for such behavior and that BCCI secretary Jay Shah is aware of the issue and communicating with the team constantly.
Rajeev Shukla said, “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.”
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He further added, “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.”
Sources in the know of developments in the team said that the bowlers initially brought the matter up with stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane before the team went into a huddle with the coaching staff led by Ravi Shastri and decided that this sort of behavior should not and will not be ignored.
The relationship between the two teams has witnessed a different turn in recent times with Queensland’s Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates’ comments regarding quarantine guidelines for the fourth Test in Brisbane also painting a target at the back of the Indian team.
With questions raised on whether the Indian team will consider following strict quarantine protocols for the final Test of the series at The Gabba, Bates said: “If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come.”
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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.”
