New Delhi, Dec. 23 -- Days after Australia's deadliest terrorist attack in almost three decades took place at Sydney's Bondi Beach on 14 December, the family of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja-currently playing in the Ashes series-became the target of a wave of online racial abuse.

Khawaja, one of Australia's most prominent Muslim athletes, has not responded publicly to the hateful messages. His wife, Rachel Khawaja, shared examples of the abuse they received. "I've collected a small sample of some of the comments we have received over the past week," she posted. "I would love to say this is new, but sadly, we have always received these kinds of messages. But of course, they have gotten worse."

The attack occurred during a Hanukkah g...