Advertisement

'No mistake': Umpires' bold reaction to alleged SCG crowd abuse

Umpires Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson, Mohammed Siraj and Tim Paine look at the crowd during a suspension in play following a complaint regarding spectators during day four of the Third Test match between Australia and India at the SCG. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Umpires Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson, Mohammed Siraj and Tim Paine look at the crowd during a suspension in play following a complaint regarding spectators during day four of the Third Test match between Australia and India at the SCG. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has revealed how umpires Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson responded to him reporting alleged racial abuse from members of the SCG crowd during the third Test.

Speaking in a press conference after arriving home in India following their thrilling 2-1 series victory to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, Siraj said both umpires offered to have the teams leave the field because of the alleged abuse.

BRUTAL: Steve Smith axed in stunning $2.5 million blow

WHOOPS: British man cops abuse in Tim Paine mix-up

Play stopped for several minutes on day four of the SCG Test following the second report from players in two days of abuse from the crowd.

Police directed a group of spectators to leave the ground, who had allegedly directed slurs such as ‘brown dog’ and ‘big monkey’ at Siraj and fellow fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

“I faced abuses in Australia. The case is going on, let’s see whether I get justice or not. My job was to report the incident to the captain,” Siraj said.

“The umpires offered us to leave the game but Rahane said we won’t leave the game. We did no mistake, so we will play.

“The abuses which I faced in Australia made me mentally stronger. I didn’t let them affect my game.”

Siraj notably missed his father’s funeral in order to quarantine in Australia so he could take part in the series.

The 26-year-old earned a place in the side thanks to extensive injuries to India’s fast bowling line-up, ultimately playing a key role in their series-clinching fourth Test victory at the Gabba with five second innings wickets.

India given hero's welcome home

India's stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane has returned home to a red carpet welcome in Mumbai after leading a severely-depleted side to their famous Test series win in Australia.

India's regular captain and main batsman Virat Kohli had flown home to attend the birth of his daughter after the opening defeat in Adelaide where the touring side were bundled out for 36 - their lowest innings score in Test cricket.

Under Rahane, India levelled the series in Melbourne and secured a nerve-wracking draw in Sydney before triumphing in the decider in Brisbane with a second-string side to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane arrives at Mumbai Airport from Australia after the team's Border-Gavaskar trophy victory. (Photo by Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane arrives at Mumbai Airport from Australia after the team's Border-Gavaskar trophy victory. (Photo by Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Cricket-mad India reacted with shock and disbelief at the team's capitulation in Adelaide, with fans thronging to social media platforms to vent their anger at the performance of their favourite sporting side.

But the mood in the country has since been transformed.

Rahane, accompanied by coach Ravi Shastri and other team mates, were congratulated by local cricket administrators on their arrival in Mumbai.

A viral video on social media showed Rahane, 33, being showered with flower petals as he walked along a red carpet amid the beating of drums and loud cheers to enter his housing society with his daughter in his arms.

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant also received a hero's welcome in Delhi after being adjudged man-of-the-match in Adelaide and finishing as the highest scorer for the team despite being ignored for the first test.

With AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.