Guwahati: The first Test match was being played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur when Ravindra Jadeja made a brilliant comeback, picking up five wickets against Australia in the first innings. However, the left-arm spinner’s comeback was marred by controversy due to accusations of ball tampering against him.
Australia was 120/5 in the 46th over of Day 1 and Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb were at the crease to bat when Jadeja took the ball in his hand. He was observed interacting briefly with pacer Mohammed Siraj and stealing some vaseline or other type of ointment from him. That object was spotted being rubbed on the all-around player’s finger. The Indian Cricket Team was accused of wrongdoing by Tim Paine and Michael Vaughan while the Australian media perceived Jadeja as rubbing the ball with it.
“What is it he is putting on his spinning finger ? Never ever seen this … #INDvsAUS, ” tweeted former England captain Michael Vaughan.
“Interesting.” A debate has erupted after vision of a questionable moment was spotted during the first innings of the first Test between Australia and India. #INDvAUS,” tweeted Fox Cricket.
Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine was one of several who observed what Jadeja was doing before one of his overs.
India bowled out Australia for a meagre 177 thanks in large part to Jadeja’s outstanding effort of 5/47. While Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami each took one wicket, Ravichandran Ashwin also captured three wickets. Indian batsmen responded by scoring 77/1 at the end of Day 1 and behind Australia by 100 runs with nine wickets remaining.