Former West Indies’ skipper Darren Sammy made a shocking revelation on Instagram by posting about the racial slur he faced while being part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL. Sammy was a part of the SRH squad during the 2013 and 2014 season.
However, some of his former teammates have said that they are not aware of the allegations made by Sammy as it was not discussed during that time. Sammy, on Saturday, claimed that he and Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera were referred to as ‘kalu’ during their stay with the Hyderabad team.
“I don’t think I have heard anyone using those (derogatory) words,” wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel, who has played 25 Tests and 38 ODIs for India, said.
“I’m not very sure… Not aware of it,” said Venugopal Rao, former India batsman and now the director of the Andhra Cricket Association.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was then the teammate of Sammy, said he too was not aware of such an incident but added that these types of episodes do take place in domestic cricket.
“I was there with him (Sammy) in 2014. I feel had this really happened, the matter would definitely have been discussed. So I’m not aware of such things as nothing was discussed in a larger way. But at the same time, we need to educate our people because I’ve seen them (racial jibes) in domestic cricket.
“Some of our cricketers from the south, especially, have faced that in the northern and western parts of the country, though I don’t want to name anyone. “What happens is among the crowd, someone tries to act like a jester. It’s not because people are racist, but it’s like someone trying to be popular by saying something seemingly funny that amounts to crossing the line on certain occasions,” Pathan said.
Meanwhile, a senior Board official, said: “Sammy should have reported at that time if he had any complaints.
“If he wants he can still lodge a formal complaint with the specifics and the Board can investigate if needed.”
