Towards the end of the Day 4 of the ongoing match between India and England, some of the Indian Fans faced harsh racial abuse which they claimed took place in the final session on Monday. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Warwickshire released official statements, promising to investigate the matter.
"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," ECB said in a statement.
Racist behaviour at @Edgbaston towards Indian fans in block 22 Eric Hollies. People calling us Curry C**ts and paki bas****s. We reported it to the stewards and showed them the culprits at least 10 times but no response and all we were told is to sit in our seats. @ECB_cricket pic.twitter.com/GJPFqbjIbz
— Lacabamayang!!!!!!! (@AnilSehmi) July 4, 2022
Racist behaviour at @Edgbaston towards Indian fans in block 22 Eric Hollies. People calling us Curry C**ts and paki bas****s. We reported it to the stewards and showed them the culprits at least 10 times but no response and all we were told is to sit in our seats. @ECB_cricket pic.twitter.com/GJPFqbjIbz
— Lacabamayang!!!!!!! (@AnilSehmi) July 4, 2022
So much for battling racism in cricket!! @Edgbaston was horrific today. So many complaints made to stewards however said person was not removed. So disappointed in what we had to face most of the day. @ICC @ECB_cricket @BCCI
— Reena 🇮🇳 ❤️ 🇮🇳 (@RinksB) July 4, 2022
There are people that still tell me that there's no racism anywhere in cricket and it's woke nonsense.
— Cricket Badger / James Buttler 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) July 4, 2022
Can I also respectfully ask for @TheBarmyArmy to comment on this racism towards members of @thebharatarmy in the same way they did the anti-social behaviour at Headingley? https://t.co/Als7H6XfT3
Club Statement
— Edgbaston (@Edgbaston) July 4, 2022
💬 “Nobody should be subject to any form of abuse at Edgbaston.”
📝 https://t.co/7iv5t1VOwC#Edgbaston | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/VsYmyGIAyj
Former Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq, also highlighted the matter. The official Twitter handle of Edgbaston quoted one of Rafiq's tweets and they will be investigating "ASAP."
"We're incredibly sorry to read this and do not condone this behavior in anyway [sic]. We'll be investigating this ASAP," read the tweet.
"I'm gutted by these reports as we're working hard to make Edgbaston a safe, welcoming environment for all. Having seen the initial tweets, I've spoken personally to the gentleman who raised them and we're now speaking to the stewards in this area to establish what happened. Nobody should be subject to any form of abuse at Edgbaston. So, once we've got all the facts, we will make sure this issue is addressed swiftly," said Warwickshire chief executive Stuart Cain.
As far as the match situation is concerned, England were 259 for 3 at stumps on the fourth day, needing just a further 119 runs to reach a target of 378 on Tuesday's last day at Edgbaston and so end this five-match series all square at 2-2. Former captain Root was 76 not out and Bairstow 72 not out after making 106 -- his third hundred in as many Tests -- in England's first-innings 284.