“We won’t play …”: Ajinkya Rahane recalls how the Indian cricket team reacted after Mohammed Siraj was racially abused in Sydney

India’s victory in the Test 2-1 series in Australia in 2020-21 remains one of the milestones in the country’s cricket history. It’s not just about winning, it’s about how Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India is back in full glory in that series. After Virat kohli-As India lost the first test, the captain then returned home because of the birth of his child. Rahane took on the role of reserve captain and led the team to a brilliant victory. India won the second Test in Melbourne and then drew the Third Test in Sydney. Despite the absence of several senior players, India won the decisive match in Brisbane.

However, this series also witnessed for Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj racially abused by a section of the audience in Sydney. After the third day of competition in that Test, the Indian team management complained to the authorities about the bad comments coming from their side. It also continued the next morning and Team India complained to the umpire. The match was halted for ten minutes and several people were kicked out of the stands.

Rahane has now revealed the full episode. “When Siraj came to see me again (on the fourth day), I told the referee (Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson) that (they) need to act and we won’t be playing until then,” Rahane is quoted as saying. in a report ESPNCricinfo on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai on Wednesday to launch a documentary about that series.

“The referees say you can’t stop the game and you can step out if you want. We say we are here to play, not sit in the dressing room and insist on asking the abusers out. off the field. It’s important to support our colleague with the situation he’s been through. What happened in Sydney is completely wrong.”

Cricket Australia later confirmed that several Indian players had been racially abused.

“CA can confirm that members of the Indian cricket team were subjected to racial abuse,” CA integrity director Sean Carroll said in a statement.

“CA’s own investigation into the matter remains open, with CCTV footage, ticketing data and audience interviews still being analyzed to find those responsible. conclusion of the day. 86th day of the fourth day of the No Racism Test.”

Ravichandran Ashwina member of that Indian team, said on Wednesday: “I don’t think it has anything to do with a particular section of people in a particular country. Everywhere people believe they belong. It’s about the majority and they’re going to have their way. And I think racism is one of them, where people believe it’s a way to differentiate themselves from someone. The only solution is good parenting. and better awareness.

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“Yes, it happened on that ground [SCG] and in that place [Australia] more. But that was his courage [Siraj] to bring it up so that at least a wider section of people know and the people sitting next to such people do better next time.

“It’s something that people have to condemn. But I want to say that everywhere people are discriminating against people on different grounds, that’s not true.”