Drunk supporters racially abuse Mohammed Siraj, call him 'monkey'; complaint lodged

The ongoing third Test in Sydney against Australia isn’t going as planned for India. The third day went the hosts’ way as they lead by 197 runs and still have eight wickets in hand. Not only on the field but team India is also facing issues off it, as two of their players, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were racially abused during the second and third day’s play at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

India skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Ashwin were seen speaking to the on-field umpires Paul Wilson and Paul Reiffel as they brought to their notice had been subjected to abuse by a few drunk supporters in the stands. The umpires, security officials, Siraj, and Bumrah were also spotted discussing after the end of the day’s play on Saturday.

Rather if the renowned journalist Boria Majumdar is to be believed, Mohammed Siraj was called Monkey, ‘wa**er, Mother F… by a section of supporters. India’s security official also had a chat with the security officers at the SCG with even the ICC Security official present.

He was called Wan…. Mother F… Monkey etc etc. This is just ridiculous. How on earth in an advanced society does someone get subjected to this? Unbelievable and unacceptable. Hope we see some action on this. @BCCI shouldn’t leave this.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 9, 2021

Meanwhile, Cricbuzz has also reported that Bumrah was also at the receiving end of the racial abuse and as of now, the issue rests with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Australia dominating Sydney Test

Meanwhile, Australia have gained an upper hand in the ongoing third Test. The third day’s play began with things in balance but the hosts bowled superbly to keep a lid on the run-scoring. They waited for the second new ball to arrive and then ran through India’s last six wickets conceding only 49 runs. India slipped from being 195/4 to 244 all-out.

Pat Cummins was the wrecker-in-chief returning with the magical figures of 4/29 after sending down 21.4 overs while Josh Hazlewood picked up a couple. In the second innings, India tried making a comeback reducing Australia to 35/2. But Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith once again stitched an impressive partnership to keep the visitors at bay.

Australia ended the day at 103/2 with an overall lead of 197 runs and will look to score runs at a faster pace on the fourth day now.