BGT 2024-25: BCCI to take which action after Adelaide harassment, find here!
Xtra Time Web Desk: An embarrassing incident came to lens as Indian cricketers including captain Rohit Sharma and star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant faced rude comments and body shaming during their practice session on Tuesday which forced BCCI to take strict action for Team's security.
Nearly 3000 people gathered around the nets to see the Indian cricketers training with the pink ball before the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy second Test starting Friday. Although, the practice session are never open for public but here it was open for local crowd.
The crowd made a lot of noise in India's four-hour-long practice session but it was okay until a section of them also started throwing random comments towards the Indian cricketers. According to sources, it became so hard for the cricketers to concentrate for rude comments and multiple requests of selfies.
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A source told, "Yes, the training will not be accessible to the general public now. The players were heckled during the open session on Tuesday. So many selfie requests when players are trying to prepare for the crucial series. The entire situation could have been dealt with better. Public won't be allowed access to training sessions, however, media can come and see the players train."
"It was complete chaos. During the Australian training session, not more than 70-odd people turned up but during India's session, 3000 came. No one expected so many fans to turn up," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. He further added, "Virat (Kohli) and Shubman Gill could have been mobbed because of so many people. Some were doing Facebook live with friends and talking loudly just as the batter took stance."
An eye witness said that fans wanted Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to hit sixes and commented on another player's fitness."Virat (Kohli) and Shubman Gill could have been mobbed because of so many people. Some were doing Facebook live with friends and talking loudly just as the batter took stance," he said. He further added, "One supporter continuously urged a player to say 'hi' to him in Gujarati. Another particular cricketer was body-shamed."
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Indian Cricket KL Rahul also called out the incident saying "It was very different. We have practised in front of crowds but that has generally been ahead of T20Is or ODIs back home. This felt a little different but also added to our preparation for the Test match. It gave us a little idea of what we might expect n Day 1 or the through the five days of the Test match."
Hence, BCCI had to take the call to cancel open practice sessions for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Still a lot of questions are being raised on the arrangement and security of the team. Isn't it the right time for Cricket Australia to look into the matter?