An Australian media outlet has accused the BCCI of flexing its power to evade a penalty as a fresh video from India A's first unofficial Test against Australia A was released to show wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan's " inappropriate behaviour" towards the on-field umpire Shawn Craig after the visitors were alleged of ball tampering.
The incident took place on the final day of the four-day match in Mackay last week, where the umpires gave a different ball to the Indian players at the start of play after witnessing scratch marks on the red cherry.
The Indian players were not one bit pleased by the decision. In fact, Ishan termed it as “a very stupid decision”, which led to the umpire reporting him for dissent. However, both charges were cleared by Cricket Australia.
Meanwhile, a report published in The Indian Express claimed that the scratch marks on the ball were caused when the ball hit the sign boards or brushed against a nail near the boundary ropes.
Furthermore, a source in the India A side categorically denied the ball-tampering allegations and also clarified that Ishan was only inquiring into the umpire's act as the team felt it was a needless measure.
However, a new video released by Australian channel Fox Sports showed that Ishan Kishan did make the “stupid” remark at the umpire.
Here’s how the conversation unfolded as picked up by the stump mic.
Shawn Craig: "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion. Let's play. This is not a discussion."
Ishan Kishan: "So we have to play with this ball?"
Craig: "You're playing with that ball."
Ishan: "That's a very stupid decision."
Craig: "Excuse me. You will be on report for dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball."
Kishan: "Thank you!"
Reacting to the video, journalist Robert Craddock, who was part of the panel on Fox Sports, said: “Staggering. If I were a cynic, I would say that somewhere between the pre-play and the end of play, where they said there was nothing to do here, no charges, nothing, there was a realisation of the might and force of India. But I'm not a cynic, so I'm not saying (laughs). But you can't get more direct in saying, 'you scratch it, we replace it.' Then they said that there was doubt about it. But one thing is for sure, there is no doubt about the dissent. He went so hard at the umpire. If you say that okay you are being a bit lenient with the ball-tampering and saying that it hit the side. But Ishan said it.”
Earlier, former Australia opener David Warner called on Cricket Australia to clarify what happened when the umpires changed the ball, claiming the governing body "squashed" the matter "as quickly as possible."
Warner also suggested that the matter was done away with given that the senior Indian team is due to travel Australia for the five-match Test series.
"I think the ultimate decision's with CA, isn't it? I think they've obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India's coming out here this summer," Warner was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
“But if the umpires deem that something happened, then I'm sure there'll be a follow-up and I think the umpires or the match referee should be standing here answering those questions.”
“I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff, who are the umpires, and if they're sticking by the umpire's decisions, then you've got to stand up for that. I think that's obviously a statement that CA probably needs to release,” he added.
After the end of the game, CA issued a statement saying, “The ball used in the fourth innings of the match was changed due to deterioration. Both teams' captain and manager were informed of the decision prior to the start of play. No further action is being taken.”
As per the laws of cricket, a five-run penalty is imposed if the umpires decide to change the ball after determining it has been unfairly altered.
