'Mohammad Siraj was not abused at all' - Indian fan in Australia adds twist in the racial discrimination case

The third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was in the news for things that happened away from the field. On Day 3, the Indian side alleged that Mohammad Siraj had been racially abused by the fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It was reported that Siraj had reportedly been called a ‘Brown Dog’ by the crowd, and that hurt the pacer.

The matter further escalated when Siraj and fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah were both subject to racial taunts again on Day 4. The incident led to some spectators even being evicted from the stadium, and Cricket Australia(CA) even issued a statement that the matter would be investigated and strict action would be taken against the accused.

But then, an Indian fan has now claimed that the crowd did not abuse Siraj. The fan, Prateik Kelkar has further alleged that Siraj was irritated only because he was smashed for two sixes in his previous over by Cameron Green. In fact, Kelkar adds that all that the crowd ever said was ‘Welcome to Sydney Siraj’. Kelkar was also evicted after he supported the people who were accused.

“We got kicked out as well for sticking up for them, for saying that they didn’t say anything. (Siraj) was pissed off because he got hit for two sixes the previous over. He came to field on the boundary. He was copping it a bit and then they said: ‘Welcome to Sydney, Siraj’. Next thing we knew they were getting kicked out,” said Kelkar in a chat with Sydney Morning Herald.

No one is under arrest in Mohammad Siraj case, says fan

The fan even adds that nothing happened, except the fact that a few fans were thrown out. He also added that no one was under arrest and that the people who were evicted could not return back to the stadium on that day.

“Nothing happened to anybody, except getting kicked out. They just said, ‘Look, we’re hearing two sides of the story. No one is under arrest or anything of the sort, we just can’t have you come back today’,” added Kelkar.

Amidst all the off-field action, the Sydney Test saw a stunning fightback by India, as they consumed 131 overs in the second innings, and played out a draw. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant were involved in a 148-run partnership and proved that India will step up and fight. The fourth and final Test of the series will take place in Brisbane with the series currently locked at 1-1.