A former Pakistan cricketer accused Pat Cummins-led Australia of tampering with the ball to dismiss India's Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara on Day 2 of India vs Australia World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final at the Oval cricket stadium in London. Ex-Pak star Basit Ali, who featured in 50 One-Day-International matches and 19 Tests for Pakistan cricket team, said tampered with the ball near the 15th over to make sure Kohli and Pujara fell in quick succession. While Pujara was dismissed by Cameron Green in the 14th over, Mitchell Marsh sent Kohli back to the Indian dugout in the 19th over. Basit said he was shocked to see that no one, including the officials, took notice of Australia's tactics.
"Firstly, I would clap for those watching the match from the commentary box, and the umpires? Australia clearly played with the ball, and no one is talking about it. No batter is wondering, 'What is happening?' The biggest example is batters getting bowled while leaving the ball. Let me give you the evidence too. Until the 54th over, when Shami was bowling, the shine was on the outside, and the ball moved back into Steve Smith. This is not called reverse-swing. Reverse swing is when the shine is on the inside and the ball comes back in," Ali said on his YouTube channel as per Times Now.
"Look at the 16th, 17th, and 18th overs, the ball on which Virat Kohli got out... look at the shine. Mitchell Starc had the ball in his hand with the shiny end pointing outside, but the ball was moving the other way. Jadeja was hitting the ball on the on side, and the ball was flying over point. Have the umpires gone blind? God knows who all are sitting there who can't see such a simple thing," Ali pointed out.
As for Pujara's wicket, he added, "Green bowled with the shine pointing towards Pujara, and the ball rocketed back in? I am surprised. BCCI is such a big board: can they not see it? It means that you aren't focused on cricket. They are just happy to know that India has reached the final. Does the ball ever reverse swing in 15-20 overs-that too, Duke's ball? I understand that a Kookaburra ball can still reverse, but a Dukes ball lasts till 40 overs at least."