Cricket is a gentleman's game and racial abuse is not allowed or accepted here: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

India is up against Australia for the third Test in Sydney Cricket Ground, and after the end of day three, a shameful incident came to the fore. It was reported that some drunk supporters were present in the stands, and they racially abused the pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj. While speaking about the same incident, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla stated that there is no place for such behaviour in gentlemen’s game.

He also stated that BCCI secretary Jay Shah has got to know about the developments and is currently in touch with the concerned authorities. Sources in the line of developments added that bowlers first discussed the matter with stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane before making a fuss out of it. They reached a conclusion that such kind of behaviour will not be tolerated or ignored from here on.

Australian court should take cognizance of the matter: Rajeev Shukla

“We have come to know about the issue. Cricket is a gentleman’s game, and these kinds of things are not allowed or accepted. The team management is dealing with the matter. The BCCI as well as the ICC is aware of it and there are ICC rules and provisions which forbid anyone from making comments that are racial in nature.

“In spite of that, if somebody is using racial comments, I think the Australian court should take cognizance of it, and these kinds of incidents must be prevented. There is no place for such acts, and these kinds of things are not allowed or accepted. I think every board should take cognizance of it and take strict measures to ensure such acts aren’t repeated,” said Rajiv Shukla as quoted by NDTV sports.

The relations between the board of both the teams already turned a bit sour when Queensland’s health minister stated that India shouldn’t come to play if they don’t want to abide by the rules. The statements came when India showed its reluctance to play the fourth Test in Brisbane owing to its strict quarantine rules, which takes a toll on the mental health of players.