"Just Learnt What Kalu Meant", Darren Sammy Alleges He Was Racially Abused While Playing IPL

Darren Sammy's allegation came after his vociferous support to the 'Black Lives Matter' campaign around the world after the killing of African-American George Floyd in the US.

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New Delhi:  Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy alleged that he was subjected to racist comments during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. “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 posted on Instagram on Saturday. His earlier post read: “Oh so that’s what that meant when they called me and @tp_perera kalu in India when we played for Sunrisers. I just thought they were calling me a strong black man… I’m more piss (sic) now.” The former West Indies skipper has been vociferous about the protests going on in America against the killing of George Floyd, an African American Black Man. He has already shown his support for the campaign #BlackLivesMatter Sammy had also urged the International Cricket Council to speak up against the racism faced by the players which is destroying the spirit of the game.

. @ICC and all the other boards are you guys not seeing what’s happening to ppl like me? Are you not gonna speak against the social injustice against my kind. This is not only about America. This happens everyday #BlackLivesMatter now is not the time to be silent. I wanna hear u

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 2, 2020

Sammy’s follow-up tweet said: “For too long black people have suffered. I’m all the way in St Lucia and I’m frustrated If you see me as a teammate then you see #GeorgeFloyd Can you be part of the change by showing your support. #BlackLivesMatter”. Sammy posted his tweets on June 2. Earlier, West Indies Batsman Chris Gayle has also revealed that he, too, has been a victim of racism, “I have travelled the globe and experience racial remarks towards me because I am black, believe me, the list goes on,” Gayle wrote in his Instagram story. The #BlackLivesMatter protests erupted in America after a video went viral of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American, died on May 25 in Minneapolis after Derek Chauvin, a white policeman, knelt on his neck and killed him. Also watch|US: Will George Floyd's death affect the upcoming elections?