All eyes are set on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, starting on 9 February 2023. The Aussies have not won a Test series in India since 2004/05. While the Men in Blue will look to win this series to seal a place in the final of the ongoing World Test Championship.
However, they have managed a great start to the year 2023 after winning the home ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively. Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik also played a huge role in those series victories. But, now a video has gone viral where both these players were seen refusing to apply tilak upon reaching a hotel.
Here is the shared video:
Cricketer #UmranMalik and #MohammedSiraj refused to tilak while being welcomed at a hotel.#RipLegend #PakistanBankrupt #BCCI #INDvsAUS #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/B23SrdRRfZ
— Anveshka Das (@AnveshkaD) February 3, 2023
Both Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik have impressed in recent white-ball series at home
The video seems to be old too. Umran is not a part of the Test squad for the Australia series. Hence, this viral video could be from Sri Lanka and New Zealand white-ball matches. After seeing that, several fans and some political people shared that same video on social media platforms to slam those cricketers. But, fans came up in support of both Siraj and Umran. They also claimed that team India batting coach, Vikram Rathour and the video analyst, Hari Prasad Mohan also refused to apply the tilak.
But, some uses have been pointing out on those two cricketers intentionally to make it a political matter. Speaking about Mohammed Siraj’s form, he is currently the number-one-ranked bowler in the ODI format. Mohammed Siraj took six wickets in three ODIs in Bangladesh, at an economy of 5.28. After that, he was the highest wicket-taker in the Sri Lanka series with nine wickets in three matches, at an economy of 4.05. Recently, he performed again as Siraj took five wickets in two innings, at an economy of 3.50 in the ODI series against the Kiwis. Umran Malik also took five wickets in the Sri Lanka ODI series while taking just one wicket in one ODI against the Kiwis.
Here is how fans have reacted to the viral video on Twitter:
Hypocrisy ki bhi sima hoti hai💀 pic.twitter.com/tpHEkXiRRf
— Sexobeat (@from__mars__) February 3, 2023
Didi choti bachi aur andhi ho kya? Many refused to it. pic.twitter.com/3Px3j5KbeB
— Devious Patel (@DeviousPatel) February 3, 2023
Many ignored the tilak and you are only highlighting Umran and Siraj.
— Tweetaholic 🍁 (@sahilbinzaid) February 3, 2023
Why make an issue out of it , even players like Amla, Moeen Ali they don't allow beer alcohol logo on their jersey . We should respect that if Umran and Siraj don't want to wear Tilak.
— Asutosh (@IamAsutosh) February 3, 2023
Come out of this negative world! Many others refused too!
— NameIsK🇮🇳 (@keshavkn) February 4, 2023
Vikram Rathore ne bhi nahi lagwaya , faltu main , avain hi controversy mat karo
— Rajesh Kumar (@i_am_rajesh_k) February 3, 2023
Kyo bhai?? Kal dubai ya uae jaye indian team toh wo kya topi pahnega ya dua mangega? ... Sabko apne dharm maanne ka pura haq hai..
— mahtab alam (@mahtabp) February 3, 2023
Isliye gandh failana band krdo.
Isko bhi dekh le pic.twitter.com/M12jTROhAF
— 🌼 (@its_sana8) February 3, 2023