India’s premier off-spinner R Ashwin reckons that the ball-tampering that broke out during the third Test between Australia and South Africa may not have even recognized if it not been for all the cameras involved. During the sidelines of a promotional event, Ashwin said, “It’s very difficult sitting at a distance and commenting on what might have happened in the dressing room. These things happen in the heat of the moment.”

The KXIP sipper clarified that he not defending Steve Smith or someone, he said, “I’m not trying to stand for it but the fact remains that [cricket] is entirely tech-driven and you have to be extra careful especially when you are in the public eye and have the responsibility to carry out yourself in the utmost dignified manner as possible.”

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He further added, “That is one of the disadvantages of technology growing so much…I would say it is literally dictating play in terms of cricket and life for everybody. If technology hadn’t gone this far, we would not be talking about this so much.”

MI captain Rohit Sharma, who was also present at the event, refused to give his thoughts on the subject. Various former and current cricketers condemned the actions of the Australian team after visuals emerged of Cameron Bancroft using what he later said was a yellow tape on the rough side of the ball and later tucking into his trousers.

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Steve Smith and Bancroft later acknowledged in a press conference on Day 3 that they had indeed attempted to tamper the ball. It led to Smith and David Warner being stripped off their posts as captain and vice-captain of the Australian team. Smith was later fined 100 percent of his match fee and also stepped down as captain of the IPL side Rajasthan Royals as well.