It has often been noticed that fans get overly competitive and go overboard with their feelings. One similar incident happened on day 4 of the Edgbaston Test between India and England. Some of the English fans lost control over their tongue and started hurling racial abuses against Indian fans.
However, this isn’t the first time Indian fans or Indian players have been racially abused in a foreign country. The purported event, which the Indian fans claimed occurred during Monday’s final session, was documented in pictures and videos that were posted on Twitter. Those attending the game shared the incident and tagged the ECB to look further into the matter.
ECB responds to the racial abuses
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) responded to the social media posts with formal remarks, vowing to look into the situation as soon as possible. ECB said in the statement, “We are very concerned to hear reports of racist abuse at today’s Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket. Edgbaston has been working hard to create a safe and inclusive working environment.”
The cricketing board further apologized to the fans. “We’re very sorry to hear what you’ve experienced and are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate,” ECB said. Azeem Rafiq, a former Yorkshire spinner who had exposed racism in English cricket, also brought attention to the issue.
On day 4 of the game, the hosts received the target of 378, after Team India was all out for 245. Zak Crawley and Alex Lees provided a good start to the team. By end of the day’s play, the hosts were 259/3. Former captain Root and Bairstow created history with an unbeaten partnership of 269 in just 315 balls – the fourth highest partnership ever in the fourth innings of a Test. England chased down the 378, their record highest fourth-innings chase to level the series 2-2.
