Team India delivered a strong performance on Thursday against the world number 1 mighty Australians on day 1 of the first Test. Having won the toss, Australia could not capitalize and they were bundled at 177 on the Day 1 of the Nagpur Test. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja registered a headline-grabbing comeback as he took a 5-wicket haul against Australia. Apart from Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin took 3 wickets and broke the backbone of the Australian Cricket Team. Now, a debate has erupted on social media with Australian media Fox Cricket pointing out Ravindra Jadeja applying 'interesting substance' on his bowling finger hinting that the all-rounder might have tampered with the ball. Australian media Fox shared a video of Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj hinting that both of them used some external substance and tampered with the ball. Following that, Ravindra Jadeja-Mohammed Siraj's video has been going viral on social media and former Australian captain Tim Paine who is not part of the squad reacted to it. Now, former England skipper Michael Vaughan joined the chorus and stated that he has never seen anything like it and publically asked what Ravindra Jadeja applied on his bowling finger.
"What is it he is putting on his spinning finger ? Never ever seen this …" wrote Michael Vaughan. In the alleged viral video, it can be seen Ravindra Jadeja touched the hand of Siraj who came towards him running. After touching Siraj's hand, Jadeja can be seen gripping the ball in his bowling palm. Although Jadeja might have used Siraj's hand to get set some more sweat in his bowling hand, so that he can grip the ball which is totally legal, the Australian media started crying foul over the incident. Notably, the Australian Team on the ground did not point out or expressed their objection, but the Australian media especially Fox called it an 'interesting' moment.
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What do you think of this @tdpaine36 Looks like one player giving grippo to the bowler and him rubbing it all over his spinning finger to me. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/XjcNedJ3Sc
— Darren Lock (@Dags_L) February 9, 2023
Ravindra Jadeja-Mohammed Siraj caught in ball tampering? Aussie media cries foul; Watch Video
India vs Australia Day 1, 1st Test
Having won the toss, Australia's start was embarrassing. Both David Warner and Usman Khwaja were dismissed inside 10 overs. Although Marnus and Steve Smith tried to stitch a partnership, they were dismissed by none other than Ravindra Jadeja. While Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed on 49, Steve Smith was clean bowled at 37 runs. After their dismissal, Australia could not bounce back and they were ultimately all out of 177 runs. In response, Rohit Sharma gave India a blazing start. By the end of the day, Rohit Sharma remained not-out at 56 off just 69 balls. India lost only 1 wicket of KL Rahul who was dismissed by off-spinner T Murphy.