Indian Players Harassed, Body-Shamed During Practice in Australia: BCCI Responds with Strong Measures

December 5, 2024: Fans will no longer be allowed at Team India’s practice sessions during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia following an incident where players were subjected to "rude" and "insensitive" comments. The incident occurred during an open practice session in Adelaide ahead of the second Test, starting on Friday.

While Australia’s practice session saw only around 70 spectators, thousands of fans turned up to watch the Indian team train, creating chaotic scenes at the venue. The proximity of the stands to the practice nets further intensified the situation, with players being subjected to inappropriate behavior from the crowd.

According to a senior BCCI official, the unexpected turnout disrupted the session and left players distressed. “It was complete chaos. Some fans passed rude and insensitive comments, which disturbed the players. As a result, a similar fan event planned in Sydney ahead of the fifth Test has been canceled,” the official revealed.

Eyewitnesses reported that fans badgered players like Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to hit sixes and even made body-shaming remarks toward another cricketer. “Some supporters were filming live videos, shouting loudly as batters took their stance, and urging players to acknowledge them,” a source said.

Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill were reportedly at risk of being mobbed due to the overwhelming number of spectators. In one instance, a fan persistently called out to a player in Gujarati, demanding acknowledgment.

The second Test in Adelaide is a day-night match, with subsequent games scheduled in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. While fan enthusiasm for the Indian team remains high, the BCCI’s decision to close practice sessions to the public aims to ensure the players' safety and focus during this high-profile series.

Tags

• Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024
• India vs Australia Series
• BCCI Player Safety
• Rude Fan Behaviour
• Rohit Sharma Incident
• Virat Kohli Mob Risk