India vs Australia: Shane Warne receives flak for calling Cheteshwar Pujara as ‘Steve’

India vs Australia: Shane Warne receives flak for calling Cheteshwar Pujara as ‘Steve’
Cheteshwar Pujara

Former Australian spinner Shane Warne drew flak after he referred to Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara as ‘Steve’ – a nickname that is believed to have racist connotations. The nickname was initially used to call Pujara by his teammates at Yorkshire during his county stint there. The Indian batsman himself had revealed the same stating that the Englishmen struggled to pronounce both his first and last name and hence decided to use ‘Steve’ instead.

However, a controversy arose with regard to the nickname when Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq alleged that the name was used to refer to every person of color in the dressing room. An employee at the club named Taj Butt also filed a complaint stating that the name was used as a racist reference saying, “There were continuous references to taxi drivers and restaurant workers when referring to Asian community, They called every person of colour ‘Steve’. Even Cheteshwar Pujara, who joined as an overseas professional, was called Steve because they could not pronounce his name.” Butt had told ESPNCricinfo.

Shane Warne refers to Pujara as ‘Steve’

Shane Warne
Shane Warne

During the first Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval today, Shane Warne who was in the commentary panel referred to Cheteshwar Pujara who was batting at the time as ‘Steve’ saying the latter’s name was difficult to pronounce before having a laugh with his fellow commentators.

This incidence has not gone down well with people who have called for the legendary spinner to apologize due to the racist connotations and history associated with the word. It remains to be seen if Warne will respond to the flak he has received through an apology.

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