Virat Kohli reacts to racial abuse against Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah in Sydney

The ongoing third Test between Australia and India in Sydney is in the news for all the wrong reasons for the last couple of days. The fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were subjected to racial abuse on the second and third day following which team India lodged an official complaint. The senior players including Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Ashwin brought it to the match officials’ notice.

While ICC started the investigation on the matter, the racial abuse against Siraj continued during the second session on the fourth day. The play was halted for a few minutes as the cricketer was quick to complain it to the umpire. Soon the security officials took action on the offenders and around 5-6 people were evicted with the immediate effect from the SCG.

Ever since then, the reactions from the cricketing fraternity are pouring in with all of them condemning and lashing out at the section of the crowd for racial slurs against the cricketers. India skipper Virat Kohli who is currently on paternity leave has also reacted to the incident revealing that even he has gone through racial abuse on several occasions while fielding at the boundary.

It is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour, says Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was visibly irked and disappointed with the Australian crowd and stated that such behaviour, especially racial abuse is not at all acceptable. He also reckoned that strict action should be taken against the offenders to set the precedence for such incidents to not take place again.

“Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary Iines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It’s sad to see this happen on the field. The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once,” Kohli wrote in a series of tweets coming out in support of his teammates.

Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary Iines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It's sad to see this happen on the field.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 10, 2021

The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 10, 2021

Cricket Australia (CA) has already released an official statement apologising to the Indian team even as the ICC has also strongly condemned the unfortunate incident.