India vs Australia: Virat Kohli and Co join hosts in anti-racism gesture before start of first ODI

Sydney: The Indian cricketers on Friday joined their Australian counterparts in forming a barefoot circle on the ground to support the anti-racism movement and acknowledge the culture of indigenous people of the host country. The barefoot circle ceremony was held before the start of the opening One-day International between the two teams here. Australian pacer Pat Cummins had said that it was the team’s way of demonstrating an anti-racism feeling as well as celebrating the indigenous culture of Australia. [caption id=“attachment_9058791” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] India’s captain Virat Kohli (L) stands with his team before an official ceremony for the start of first ODI Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). AFP[/caption] The barefoot circle is a statement taken up by Australian cricket more broadly to connect with Aboriginal culture and the land on which matches are played. In addition, cricketers from both the teams wore black armbands in the memory of former Australia players Dean Jones and Philip Hughes. While Jones died in Mumbai after suffering a heart attack in September, Hughes passed away on this day at this very ground six years ago after being hit on the head by a Sean Abbott bouncer. Earlier this year, West Indies legend Michael Holding had criticised the Australian team for not taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement during the limited overs series in England. The Australian women’s national team had also formed a barefoot circle with New Zealand players in Brisbane ahead of the limited-overs series in September. Last week, the Sheffield Shield teams had gathered in a barefoot circle before their matches to mark the start of NAIDOC week, while the Women’s Big Bash League players have taken a knee to support the BLM movement.