Ravi Ashwin comes out in support of Indian fan after he alleges abuse in Sydney Test

Racial abuse and slurs continue to make news in the cricketing world. The New Year’s Test in Sydney was in the news for the wrong reasons, after Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were reportedly abused by a group of Australian fans during the third Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Now, even 6 days after the Test series is done and dusted with, the news about racial abuse refuses to die down.

An Indian fan, Krishna Kumar has alleged that he was subjected to racial abuse, this time by a security officer during India’s third Test match against the kangaroos at the SCG. Kumar has even stated that the officer did not even allow him an entry inside the ground.

Kumar added that the security officer asked him to ‘go back to where you belong’. The fan further stated that he had carried a small banner made out of his kids’ paper roll. He shared his terrible experience with the Sydney Morning Herald.

“He told me, ‘If you need to address this matter, go back to where you belong. It was a very small banner. I made it out of my kids’ paper roll,” said Kumar.

Ravichandran Ashwin responds

Now, this has got the attention of none other than Indian bowling legend Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin has lauded Kumar’s courage and even asked the Indian fan as to how he could reach out to him.

This is Ashwin’s tweet:

How can I reach you Krishna kumar?? Well done 👏 https://t.co/5dIbb9MM0n

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 24, 2021

It is indeed sad that such a wonderful Test series between two top Test-playing nations should have been in the news for things that happened outside the cricket field. As far as the racial abuse filled Sydney Test match is concerned, India played out 131 overs in their second innings to frustrate the Australian side to salvage a sensational draw, and Ravichandran Ashwin played a central role in it.

The Tamil Nadu cricketer resolutely stood up to the Aussie challenge, played out 128 deliveries, and along with Hanuma Vihari, kept the Australians at bay for a staggering 42.4 overs.

Next up, Ravichandran Ashwin will be gearing up for a challenging Test series against the England side. The Joe Root led side will visit Indian shores for a four-match Test series, and the first Test will start on February 5th, 2021, at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, a ground that Ashwin knows better than anybody else.