Racial abuse once again marred the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, casting a shadow over an intensely fought series. On Day 1 of the New Year’s Test, a group of Australian spectators directed racist chants at Indian fans, shouting “Where’s Your Visa” in a sing-song manner. The unsettling incident, captured on video, has gone viral, igniting widespread condemnation on social media.
This is not the first instance of racism at the SCG, a venue that has often faced scrutiny for hosting unruly sections of the crowd. Indian cricketers and fans have been targets of racial abuse in the past, with notable incidents occurring during the previous Border-Gavaskar series. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, both part of the current squad, were subjected to derogatory remarks at the same venue in 2021.
Recalling the incident, Mohammed Siraj shared in an interview, “When I was called a black monkey in Australia, I ignored it on the first day, thinking people were drunk. But when it happened again the next day, I decided to report it to the umpires. I conveyed it to Ajju bhai (Ajinkya Rahane), who spoke to the umpires and demanded action.”
WATCH – Navjot Sidhu Slams Rohit Sharma’s Exclusion from Sydney Test
Mohammed Siraj further recounted Rahane’s firm stance: “The umpires suggested we could leave the ground until the matter was resolved, but Ajju bhai said, ‘We respect cricket and why should we leave? Remove those who are abusive.’ We then focused on cricket despite the distractions.”
Australian crowd shows how racist they are , unless they have a IPL contact. The surprising thing is that there will be Indians who will defend the Australians and you can see why we were colonized. pic.twitter.com/5yJtnQUVr2
— Arnab Ray (@greatbong) January 3, 2025
While Cricket Australia issued an apology to the Indian team at the time, their investigation controversially cleared a group of spectators accused of racism, drawing criticism for a perceived lack of accountability.
ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant Breaks Down Fiery Exchange Between Jasprit Bumrah And Sam Konstas
The latest incident underscores the recurring problem of racism at the SCG, raising questions about Cricket Australia’s efforts to address these issues effectively. On the cricketing front, Day 1 concluded with Australia at 9/1, chasing India’s modest first-innings total of 185. Despite the competitive spirit on the field, the off-field controversies have dampened the series’ narrative, highlighting the need for stronger measures to curb racism in the sport.
