An Indian fan was ejected from the Adelaide Oval during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 for taunting the Australian crowd by waving sandpaper. The fan’s act was a cheeky dig at the infamous “Sandpaper Gate” scandal from 2018, where Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to alter the ball’s condition using sandpaper during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

The fallout from the scandal was severe, with Bancroft receiving a nine-month suspension. Former Australian captains Steve Smith and David Warner, who were implicated in the incident, faced one-year bans, tarnishing their reputations and sparking a global outcry about the spirit of cricket.

At the Adelaide Oval, the Indian fan’s provocative gesture—displaying a piece of sandpaper—was met with mixed reactions. While some spectators found it humorous, security personnel promptly escorted the individual out of the stadium amidst cheers and jeers from the crowd.

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On the cricketing front, the second Test saw Australia bounce back emphatically. Team India had entered the Adelaide Test with a 1-0 lead after their dominant 295-run victory in the Perth opener. However, Australia, led by a resurgent Travis Head and an inspired bowling performance, levelled the series with a commanding 10-wicket win.

“An Indian fan was kicked out of the stadium for showing sandpaper during the India vs Australia Test match in Adelaide . #AUSvIND #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kYK0zInYSv

— Evil Kicks Money (@EvilkicksMoney) December 9, 2024

Travis Head emerged as the hero for Australia, scoring a magnificent 140 in the first innings, helping his team post 337 in response to India’s modest 180. In the second innings, Pat Cummins wreaked havoc with a five-wicket haul, restricting India to 175. Australia then chased the meagre 19-run target without breaking a sweat, levelling the series 1-1.

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The focus now shifts to the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, scheduled to begin on December 14. With the series evenly poised, both teams will look to gain the upper hand in this fiercely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy.