Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft’s latest statement suggesting that the bowlers knew what was going in the 2018 Cape Town Test against South Africa has brought the ball-tampering scandal back in the spotlight.

Even though Bancroft hinted that the other players knew, it was Steve Smith, David Warner and himself who had to pay a huge price for it, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra refused to believe that was the case.

“Actually, I am with Cameron Bancroft. He has not said it, it is ‘self-explanatory’ that everyone knew it. At least, the bowlers definitely knew for sure that when the ball came in the hand, it has been scratched more and the wear and tear are not looking natural,” Chopra said.

CA open to reinvestigate ball-tampering scandal after Cameron Bancroft’s fresh revelations

“The fact is I refuse to believe that the rest of the players of the Australian team, especially the bowlers, it is possible an odd fringe player who is a batsman might not have known that sandpaper was being used, but if the bowlers don't know that the ball is being tampered with and the condition is being changed, it means you are not telling the truth,” he added.

The Australian bowling attack in the Cape Town Test consisted of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.

(With Hindustan Times inputs)