Sydney: Seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday said racist abuse from the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground is not new and needs to be dealt with an iron fist after some spectators were ejected for targetting Indian players during the ongoing third Test against Australia here on Sunday.

Speaking at the end of the fourth day's play, Ashwin said the Indian players have faced racism in Sydney earlier too.

"We have faced racism in Sydney earlier too. It needs to be dealt with an iron fist," Ashwin told reporters at the post-day press conference.

The play was halted for a few minutes on the fourth day of the match after India pacer Mohammed Siraj complained of abuse from a section of the crowd here, leading to the expulsion of some spectators and an unreserved apology from the host board.

Local media reported that six people were expelled from the ground by the security during the nearly 10-minute halt in the on-ground proceedings.

Ashwin added, "In 2011, I didn't know what racism is and how you are made to feel small. And people also join the laugh."

Australian coach Justin Langer also condemned the unsavory incident.

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Guwahati, May 19: Persistent rain on Sunday delayed the toss and start of the last IPL league match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders here on Sunday.

The rain, which has played spoilsport in the last few IPL games, came back to frustrate the fans and players alike with almost the entire ground under covers here at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

The match would most likely be a truncated affair, given that the cutoff time for a full match to be played was 8:30 pm.

The Sanju Samson-led Royals have slipped from second on the points table to third following Sunrisers Hyderabad's four-wicket win against Punjab Kings in Hyderabad earlier in the day.

Weather permitting, the Royals would hope to beat KKR and reclaim the No 2 spot on the table.