Ball tampering accusations, dissent charges mar India A versus Australia A game, CA responds

Australia won the first unofficial Test match against India A by 7 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. A massive controversy erupted during the game as Ishan Kishan clashed with the umpire. This led the on-field umpire to charge the Indian star for dissent on Sunday during the 4th day’s play. 

The incident occurred when the umpires decided to change the ball after they saw a few marks on it. The umpires alluded that the Indian players had scratched the ball, so they had to make the decision. This didn’t sit well with Ishan Kishan, who got into a verbal confrontation with the umpire. 

Umpire Shawn Craig said, “When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play. This is not a discussion”. To which Ishan Kishan replied, “So we have to play with this ball?". At this point, umpire Craig asked the Indian players to continue with the same ball. 

India A accused of Ball Tampering.

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?"

S Craig - "You're playing with that ball."

I Kishan - "That's a very… pic.twitter.com/iKDoH0ZVDf

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) November 3, 2024

This is when Ishan Kishan lost it and said “That's a very stupid decision”. The umpire replied, “Excuse me. You will be on report for dissent. That is very inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions, we changed the ball."

Cricket Australia responds to the charges of ball tampering 

Meanwhile, as the entire controversy is raging on, Cricket Australia according to a source has confirmed that none of the players were involved in scratching of the ball. however, the move to charge Ishan Kishan for dissent hasn’t been addressed. 

On the field of play, Australia wasted little time in romping home to an easy win on the 4th day of the game. The hosts won by 7 wickets with skipper Nathan McSweeney batting on 88 off 178 balls. Beau Webster gave him good company as he was not out on 61 off 117 balls. 

Batters Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal’s form were the only positive sign for the visitors. Mukesh Kumar with 6/46 was the standout bowler for India as he helped his side bowl out Australia for 195 in the first innings. The next game of the series is set to begin on 7th November to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.