Darren Sammy's racism allegations have now been confirmed. Here is a photo from IPL 2014 where SRH bowler Ishant Sharma called Sammy 'Kalu'
Bengaluru: With former West Indies captain Darren Sammy alleging that he faced racist slurs during his stint with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the Indian Premier League (IPL), a picture posted at the time by paceman Ishant Sharma has confirmed Sammy’s allegations.
Recently, Sammy posted a video on his Instagram account stating that he used to be called ‘Kalu’ in the SRH dressing room. He along with Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera were addressed the same way. At the time, Sammy did not know what the word meant and his teammates were having a laugh whenever they used the it, according to the all-rounder.
Also read: Darren Sammy alleges racism in SRH during IPL
Now, a look back at Ishant’s Instagram account shows that he too had addressed Sammy as ‘Kalu’. In a photo posted by Ishant in May 2014, he captioned it, “Me, bhuvi, kaluu and gun sunrisers (sic). In the photo, Ishant is with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sammy and Dale Steyn. All the four were playing for SRH at the time.
“So recently I discovered a word that I was being called was not what it actually meant I need some answers. So before I start calling out names I need these individuals to reach out and please tell me there’s another meaning to that word and when I was being called it,it was all in love. #blackandproud #blackandconfident #clarasboy #saynotoracism #stopracism #cricketer #stlucia (sic),” Sammy, who was with SRH in 2013 and 2014, wrote along with the four minutes and 59-second video.
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“I just learnt what that ‘kalu’ meant when I played for Sunrisers in the IPL. They call me and Perera by that name. I thought it meant strong Stallion. My previous post tells me something different and I’m angry,” Sammy wrote on his Instagram story.
“Now, I realise it was degrading, I will be texting you guys and I will ask you as to when you called me with that name, did you all mean it in any bad way or form? I have had great memories in all my dressing rooms, so all those who used to you call me with that word, think about it, let's have a conversation, if it was in a bad way then I would be really disappointed. I would be still angry. I deserve an apology from you guys,” he added.
Me, bhuvi, kaluu and gun sunrisers
A post shared by Ishant Sharma (@ishant.sharma29) on May 14, 2014 at 9:18am PDT