According to the recent reports of ESPNCricinfo, the Indian team has informed ICC match referee Andy Pycroft that the Indian all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja was applying pain-relief cream to the index finger of his bowling hand on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia. The controversy began after a video of Jadeja went viral on social media.
In video footage that surfaced on social media on Wednesday, Ravindra Jadeja was seen applying a substance off the back of Mohammed Siraj’s palm with his right hand. The southpaw bowler then appeared to rub this substance onto the index finger of his left hand, with which he bowls, just before the beginning of delivery.
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Although Jadeja was not seen rubbing anything on the ball at any point in the footage, some of the Australia media imposed bizarre allegations against the all-rounder for ball-tampering, especially because he claimed 5/47 to help India skittle the visitors for 177 on Day 1 of the first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur.
However, the report from ESPNCricinfo regarding the same, read, “ESPNcricnfo has learned that immediately after play ended on the first day, Jadeja along with India captain Rohit Sharma and the team manager, were shown a video clip of Jadeja’s actions. Pycroft, it is understood, wanted to just inform them about the incident and no charge has been laid against Jadeja.”
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It further added, “The Indian team management has told ICC match referee Andy Pycroft that Ravindra Jadeja was applying pain-relief cream to the index finger of his bowling hand in the video clips widely circulated on social media on the first day of the Nagpur Test against Australia.”
It was Jadeja’s first international match after five months in Nagpur, where he spun a web around the Australian batters. He injured himself during the Asia Cup campaign last year in the UAE, where India failed to qualify for the final.
FYI @FoxCricket – The Indians have refuted your claims, saying Jadeja was applying pain-relieving ointment (which you can see, & spinners do have sore fingers). Come out with something new now – pitch, DRS and now this, in on the 1st day of the series @imjadeja #INDvAUS #BREAKING https://t.co/CZOy4HBPga
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 9, 2023
Australia vs India: Ravindra Jadeja uses ointment on finger, ball tampering questioned, Michael Clarke’s verdict == questions about surreptitious actions on the field with Kumar – and 5/47 bowling figures ? ? certainly brings a few questions to the fore
— DBLE david (@DavidDble) February 9, 2023
Australian media accusing Ravindra Jadeja of ball tampering.
Seriously, why would he tamper the ball when he’s getting the turn from the surface.
Ravindra Jadeja applied ointment on his spinning finger due to soreness, this was a pain relief cream.#BorderGavaskarTrophy2023
— Sharat Chandra Bhatt (@imsbhatt0707) February 10, 2023
