Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has strongly stated that there need to be stronger laws and also punishment in place for dealing with racial abuse in cricket. He also termed such discrimination unacceptable and batted for a permanent solution for the burning issue after the SCG gate.

Racial abuse has become a pressing issue after Indian cricketers allegedly faced discriminatory behavior at the hands of the crowd in the third Test between India and Australia at the SCG. Indian players had complained about the same on the conclusion of day three of the ongoing Test after which ICC launched an investigation into the matter. However, things turned even uglier when Mohammad Siraj claimed that he faced racist abuse on day four as well, which resulted in the stoppage of play. Eventually, the situation got diffused after six members were ejected from the stadium, but the unfortunate incident left a bitter taste in the mouth of everyone associated with the sport.

India’s former opener and currently a politician, Gautam Gambhir has expressed his displeasure at racist abuses in cricket and has asserted that such behaviors are completely unacceptable and require strict punishment.

“Just taking crowds out of the stadium is not the solution. It happened in the past and it may happen in the future till the time you don’t have any permanent solution and strict action. Strict law is required and there should be a punishment for the same,” he added.

Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also recalled how he has faced such unacceptable things in his career in Australia and stated that it wasn’t the first time when something like this has happened Down Under.

He tweeted, “I personally have heard many things on the field while playing in Australia about Me My religion My color, and much more.This isn’t the first time the crowd is doing this nonsense. How do u stop them ?? #AUSvIND”