Rituraj Gaekwad captained India-A has been accused of ball tampering. The allegations have been made during the ongoing first unofficial Test against Australia-A in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. However, Cricket Australia has issued a statement denying it.
Cricket Australia said the umpire had changed the ball because the ball had lost its shape. On the fourth day of the match, Australia-A needed 86 runs to win. Controversy arose when the field umpire replaced the ball on allegations of ball tampering. The Indian players were seen talking to the umpires over this.
Umpire Shaun Craig was heard saying over the stump microphone, 'When you rub it (the ball), we change the ball. No further discussion, let the game continue. This is not up for debate. When the Indian players once again asked if they would have to play with a new ball, the umpire said that they would play with the same ball.
Unofficial Tests come into first-class cricket, but are not recognized by the ICC. His stats are not recorded in ICC records.
Indian players talking to field umpire Shaun Craig after changing the ball.
Ishan Kishan disagreed with the umpire's decision According to news agency AP, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan has reportedly disagreed with umpire Craig's decision. Kishan said, 'This is a foolish decision.' The umpire said 'You will be reported for dissent. This is inappropriate behavior. We have changed the ball because of your (the team's) actions.'
Indian players will not be charged Cricket Australia said in a statement that no action will be taken against Ishan Kishan and other players. The match referee did not find anyone guilty. According to the code of conduct, if India-A deliberately alters the condition of the ball, the players involved can be banned.
Australia-A won the match by 7 wickets Australia-A won this match by 7 wickets. Captain Nathan McSweeney played an unbeaten innings of 88 runs and chased down the target of 225 runs with the loss of 3 wickets. Earlier, India-A scored 312 runs in the second innings. Sai Sudarshan scored a century of 103 runs, while Devdutt Padikal scored 88 runs.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
