New Delhi: For Virat Kohli, it is ‘absolute peak of rowdy behaviour’ that few Australian fans hurled racial slur at Mohammed Siraj during the third Test being played at Sysdney. Virat Kohli demanded stern action against the offenders. Kohli himself was at the receiving end of some of the choicest abuses during the 2011-12 Test series.
“Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary lines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It’s sad to see this happen on the field,” Kohli, who is on a paternity break, tweeted.
Back in 2011, a young Kohli was in fact embroiled in a controversy. He was snapped showing middle finger to the Sydney crowd on his first tour after being continually abused at the boundary ropes.
Siraj and senior bowler Jasprit Bumrah were allegedly subjected to multiple abuses Saturday and Sunday. Racist slurs like ‘Brown Dog’ and ‘Big Monkey’ was used against them. It led to eviction and subsequent arrest of six Australian spectators.
“The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency. Seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once,” Kohli said.
The matter is being investigated by Cricket Australia (CA) and ICC. Match referee David Boon is expected to provide full report.
Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh also shared his similar bad experience. “I personally have heard many things on the field while playing in Australia. It was about Me, My religion, My colour and much more..This isn’t the first time the crowd is doing this nonsense..How do u stop them?? (sic),” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, England spinner Monty Panesar asked authorities to clearly define racism for fans of the game. He said it is necessary so that such incident is not repeated.
“A racial code of ethics should be established by @ICC to give clear understanding to spectators what is a racist term and what isn’t,” Panesar posted on micro-blogging site.