The fifth Test being played between England and India has come under the grip of racism. A section of Indian cricket fans was subjected to racial abuse at the end of the fourth day of the ongoing Test match at Edgbaston. After the game ended on Monday evening, allegations were made about it on social media. The matter is under investigation. India’s official sports group, the Bharat Army, later reported that several of its members present at the stadium were targeted.
Yorkshire cricketer Azim Rafiq took up the matter. He said it was “disappointing to read” and retweeted several tweets from his Twitter account. His testimony before a parliamentary select committee last year followed an investigation into claims of institutional racism in Yorkshire. As a result, major reforms were called for in the ECB.
Warwickshire and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have called for an investigation into racist abuse on the fourth day of the fifth Test between England and India at Edgbaston. The ECB said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned to hear of the news of racist abuse in today’s Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket. Edgbaston is working hard to create a safe and inclusive working environment.”
Sad to say many of our members experienced racist abuse from a very small minority of individuals. We will work with @Edgbaston to share all your feedback.
Thank you to those England fans who stood by us. ,#BharatArmy #ENGvIND
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) July 4, 2022
Warwickshire County Cricket Club released a statement on Monday night, in which chief executive Stuart Cain said: “I am disappointed by these reports. We are working hard to make Edgbaston a safer and better environment for all. After seeing the initial tweets, I have personally spoken to the person who raised the matter and now we are talking to the authorities in the area to know what happened. No one should be abused at Edgbaston. So we will ensure that this issue is resolved expeditiously.”
Talking about the match, a 150-run partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root cemented England’s position against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Monday. At the end of the day’s play, England were 259/3. Root (76) and Bairstow (72) are at the crease. Team India has given a target of 379 runs for England to win.