India start their tour against Australia with the first ODI in Sydney. Meanwhile, ahead of the start of the match the players from both teams participated in a barefoot circle ceremony. This is a way to protest against racism which is prevalent in the world of cricket in recent times.
While the Windies have protested against racism by taking a knee, the barefoot walk is the Australian way of protesting against racism. Cricket Australia on their Twitter handle tweeted about the same and so did the BCCI.
India, Australia players protest against racism
#TeamIndia took part in the Barefoot Circle ceremony pledging their support against racism and joined Australia in acknowledging traditional owners of the land. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xk52ZXnERk
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2020
“The barefoot circle is a cricket centric way for players and teams to take a moment prior to matches to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, connect to each other as opponents and pay respect to the country (land)” Cricket Australia said.
“This is done barefoot as a way to connect to country, but also a moment to reflect that we are all common ground, we are all human beings and we need to stand strong with each other, for each other. The circle is often part of pre-series activities and has started in Reconciliation Round as a stance of anti-racism, commitment to reconciliation and strength together,” it further added.
Our Aussie men were joined by India in a pre-match Barefoot Circle to respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, connect to each other as opponents and pay respect to the country! 🖤💛❤️ #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UMhDGVEkCm
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 27, 2020
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Earlier, Aussie pacer Pat Cummins batted in favour of the barefoot walk saying that its the best way to stand against a pandemic – he used to compare it to racism, in the sport so to say.
“We’ve decided to do the Barefoot Circle. We’re going to look at doing it at the start of each series and it’s a pretty easy decision for us. Not only as a sport, but we as people are absolutely against racism,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
The series against Australia is India’s first in the post-pandemic era. Meanwhile, for the Aussies, it’s a return to international cricket after the IPL. They played against England in a limited-overs international of three ODIs and three T20Is.
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