The recent ball-tampering scandal has shaken up the world cricket. Australian captain Steven Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Test opener Cameron Bancroft have received big suspensions from Cricket Australia (CA). Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir reacted to that incident through the social media.
During the day three of the third Test between the hosts South Africa and Australia at Cape Town, Cameron Bancroft tried to change the ball condition by using yellow sandpaper. Australian leader Smith and deputy-leader Warner had the leading role in that incident as Warner was the mastermind of that action while Smith knew about that incident too.
Also read: Cameron Bancroft feels sorry for his action
All of them accepted their mistakes while ICC only suspended Smith for one Test only (and also fined Smith and Bancroft for that). After the thorough investigation, CA has suspended Smith and Warner for one year and Bancroft for nine months from the international and domestic cricket.
In the addition, Smith and Bancroft will have to wait one more year after the end of their suspensions to able for leading the national side once again, while Warner will never be able to lead the national side again.
On Thursday, Steven Smith broke down during his first media interaction after CA verdict. He was very emotional during that interaction where he said that he made a serious error and he takes the responsibility. He is feeling sorry for that incident which hurt the whole cricketing world.
Also read: David Warner will speak on in a couple of days
30-years old Indian limited-overs vice-captain and opening batsman Rohit Sharma wrote on Twitter, “The video of Steve Smith being escorted at the airport and his most recent press conference resonated with me. The spirit of the game is of utmost importance there’s no denying that. They made a mistake and they accepted it. It would be unfair of me to sit here and question the board’s decision but they are great players and I don’t think this should define them.”
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 29, 2018
Meanwhile, another 36-years old experienced Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir feels that CA had the harsh decision on cricketers’ suspensions.
Gambhir wrote on his official Twitter account, “While cricket needs to be corruption-free but feel sanctions on Aussies bit harsh. Are @stevesmith49 & @davidwarner31 paying for revolt for pay hike? History has it administrators deride those who stand up for players’ cause. Classic case: Ian Chappell.”
While cricket needs to be corruption-free but feel sanctions on Aussies bit harsh. Are @stevesmith49 & @davidwarner31 paying for revolt for pay hike? History has it administrators deride those who standup for players’ cause. Classic case: Ian Chappell #BallTampering #StevenSmith
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018
Gambhir has also sad feeling with the cricketers’ families as he urged to the media and public to not put in trouble the cricketers’ families. He wrote, “Feel sorry for @stevesmith49 dad (in pic) other family members. Hope media n Aussie public go easy on them as families can be soft targets. More than d ban living wid this feeling of being called a cheat is a bigger punishment.”
Feel sorry for @stevesmith49 dad (in pic) other family members. Hope media n Aussie public go easy on them as families can be soft targets. More than d ban living wid this feeling of being called a cheat is a bigger punishment. #BallTamperingRow pic.twitter.com/L2sV8BgWAH
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018
The left-handed opening batsman also said that Smith shouldn’t label as corrupt. He posted on that, “I may be getting emotional but @stevesmith49 doesn’t look to me a cheat. Don’t know about u but I see in him a desperate leader trying to win a Test match for his country, his team. Yes, indeed, his methods were questionable but let’s not label him corrupt.”
I may be getting emotional but @stevesmith49 doesn’t look to me a cheat. Don’t know about u but I see in him a desperate leader trying to win a Test match for his country, his team. Yes, indeed, his methods were questionable but let’s not label him corrupt #BallTamperingScandal pic.twitter.com/xOxAM45QXM
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018
