Racist abuse: Ashwin calls for iron-fisted action

Not one for mincing words, India star R. Ashwin decried the unsavoury incidents at the Sydney Cricket Ground as nasty.

“This is my fourth tour of Australia and, in Sydney especially, we have had a few experiences even in the past. They have been quite nasty, they have been hurling abuses. But, this is the time they have gone one step ahead and used racial abuse,” he said.

When the official complaint had been lodged on Saturday, the umpires insisted on being informed “as soon as it happens” on the field,” Ashwin said. “This must be definitely dealt with an iron fist. And we must make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”

He harked back to his first tour in 2011-12, when he had no clue what racial abuse was. “You can be made to feel small in front of so many people. And, people actually laugh at you when you get abused. There is another set of people just enjoying it. I had no idea what this was at all,” he said.

Better awareness

Now the players are aware and find such incidents absolutely unacceptable, he stated.

“Even yesterday when Siraj brought it up, Ajinkya, myself and Rohit got together and went to the umpire and did report it.

“Nowadays the boys are better equipped and aware. Even Siraj, who is new, does know that this is a line you cannot cross,” he said.