India A Face Ball-Tampering Allegations In 7-Wicket Loss To Australia A; Ishan Kishan Under Fire For Calling Umpire’s Decision ‘Stupid’

Australia A beat India A by seven wickets in the first unofficial Test, amid controversy over ball-tampering allegations and a heated exchange involving Ishan Kishan and one of the match umpires.

Day 4 of the IND A vs AUS A Test started with controversy as the on-field umpires replaced the ball India were using following ball-tampering allegations.

Source : X/ @CricketopiaCom

Australia A, led by Nathan McSweeney defeated Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A by seven wickets in the first IND A vs AUS A unofficial Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay on November 3 (Sunday). Interestingly, Day 4 of the IND A vs AUS A Test started with controversy as the on-field umpires replaced the ball India were using following ball-tampering allegations, sparking a heated exchange between Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and match umpire Shawn Craig.

According to ESPNcricinfo, there was a tense exchange between some Indian players and umpire Shawn Craig before the first ball of Day 4, with Australia A needing 86 runs for victory. In an audio that was picked up by the stump microphones, Ishan Kishan allegedly called the umpires’ decision to change the ball ‘stupid’, something that could put him in troubled waters.

ALSO ON ABP Live | Rohit Sharma's Wife Ritika Sajdeh's Pregnancy Confirmed?

"Scratch it, we change the ball...no more discussion, let's play," Craig said explaining to the Indian players about the change of ball. 

Kishan replied with: "So we are going to play with this ball…that's a very stupid decision."

Craig responded: "Excuse me, you'll be on report for dissent. That's inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball."

Ishan Kishan Made Natonal Comeback After A Year

Kishan, who last played for India in November 2023, was making a comeback to the national fold after a year. He is not included in India's Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy set to start in Perth on November 22.

Although Kishan was reported for dissent, it remains unclear which player or players the umpires have accused of ball-tampering.

Changing the condition of the ball is a level three charge under Cricket Australia's code of conduct.

The code reads: "Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as 'unfair'. The following actions shall therefore, not be permitted (this list of actions is not exhaustive but included for illustrative purposes): (a) deliberately throwing the ball into the ground for the purpose of roughening it up; (b) applying any artificial substance to the ball; and applying any non-artificial substance for any purpose other than to polish the ball; (c) lifting or otherwise interfering with any of the seams of the ball; (d) scratching the surface of the ball with finger or thumb nails or any implement."

Coming to the IND A vs AUS A match, Australia needed 225 runs to win in the fourth innings and McSweeney’s unbeaten 88 and Beau Webster’s unbeaten 61-run knock took the home team over the line without a fuss, winning by seven wickets.