'Strict action should be taken' - Mohammed Shami comes up with a strong tweet against racism

It is never a pleasant situation when a cricket match is in the news for events that are not connected to the on-field action. Racial abuse raised its ugly hood in the ongoing third Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Day 3 and Day 4. A few fans in Sydney certainly crossed the line, and the issue has now grabbed all the attention.

The trouble started on Day 3 when a few drunk Australian fans called Mohammed Siraj a monkey. The matter escalated further when Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj were further taunted with racial slurs on Day 4. The play was halted for a while and a few spectators who indulged in abuse were evicted from the stadium.

Earlier, former Indian cricketer, Harbhajan Singh had lambasted the Sydney crowd for their unruly behavior. Now, injured pacer Mohammed Shami has joined the bandwagon. Shami was pretty strong in his opinion and stated that racism had no place in today’s world. The pacer further added that he is disappointed at the way things have turned out in Sydney, and hoped that strict action is taken against the accused.

Here is Mohammed Shami’s tweet:

India have their backs against the wall

Meanwhile, let us come back to the on-field action that took place on Day 4. The Australian side asserted their dominance on the visitors, setting them a challenging target of 407 runs to win the 3rd Test. Cameron Green scored the maiden fifty of his career, and along with first innings hero Steve Smith, propelled Australia to a total of 312/6 in the second innings.

For the visitors, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma started in positive fashion, and put on 71 runs for the opening wicket. While Gill was dismissed by Hazlewood for 31, Rohit Sharma fell at the fag end of the day’s play, when he hooked Pat Cummins straight down Mitchell Starc’s throat at square leg.

India currently have their two most experienced batsmen in Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Ajinkya Rahane at the crease. India are still 309 runs away from the target, while Australia are 8 wickets away from taking a 2-1 lead in the series. The fate of the fifth day, as far as the Indians are concerned, will depend upon how long Pujara and Rahane can hold fort.