Cricket

The ongoing unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A has been marred by a series of ball-tampering controversies. In the first Test in Mackay, India A players were accused of altering the condition of the ball, leading to its replacement overnight. The incident sparked a heated exchange between the players and umpire Shawn Craig, with former Australia captain David Warner also questioning the decision.Cricket Australia (CA) later dismissed the allegations against India A, stating that the ball was changed due to deterioration. However, in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India A players were once again involved in a ball-related incident.In a viral video, the players can be seen having a conversation with the umpire, pointing out a substance on the ball. Commentators suggested that the substance could be either mud or white paint. Pacer Prasidh Krishna appeared particularly agitated during the discussion.The incident occurred as India A struggled in their second innings, losing five wickets for just 25 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy were the only batsmen to offer any resistance, with India A trailing by 11 runs at the end of day two.The ball-tampering allegations have cast a shadow over the series, which is intended to provide opportunities for players to impress ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The incidents have raised questions about the integrity of the game and the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The recent India A vs Australia A warm-up match has been marred by allegations of ball tampering against the visiting team. During the match, the umpires informed India A players that the ball had been changed due to tampering. Umpire Shawn Craig brought the development to Indian players' notice during the first unofficial Test.In a statement, Cricket Australia said that the ball had to be changed "due to deterioration", while both the managers and the captains were informed of the decision before the start of the day's play.Now, Fox Cricket has released a video of the exact stump mic conversation. Here's how it went: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 are going to play with this ball?Craig: You're playing with that ball.Ishan: That's a very stupid decision.Craig: Excuse me. You will be on report for dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball.Kishan: Thank you!Following that, a discussion took place in the Fox Cricket panel. The panel agreed that the way the Indian players showed dissent proved the 'might and force of India' in world cricket. David Warner's wife, Candice, was also part of the discussion. She said, "It just goes to show the power of India and how strong they are. A lot of these umpires want to be part of the IPL."One of the panelists then added: “India run the game. Every dollar that is raised in cricket, is raised by India. This change over the last few decades has been extraordinary.”According to a report in The Indian Express, a player, requesting anonymity, denied tampering allegations, suggesting a "nail from the sideboards may have brushed the ball."According to Cricket Australia's code of conduct, players involved in the ball tampering incident could be handed bans if the team is found to have intentionally changed the condition of the ball."Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as unfair," Cricket Australia's code of conduct reads.After the controversy spiralled up, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying, the ball change happened "due to deterioration."

Controversy Erupts in Emerging Asia Cup Semi-Final as Umpire Reverses Decision Without DRSA dramatic controversy unfolded during the semi-final of the Emerging Asia Cup between India A and Afghanistan A in Oman, as an umpire reversed a key decision without using the Decision Review System (DRS).The incident occurred when Afghanistan opener Zubaid Akbari was initially ruled not out after an appeal for a catch behind the stumps. However, following a lengthy consultation with the third umpire, despite the absence of DRS, Akbari was given out, sparking outrage from the Afghanistan camp.Akbari, who had scored 64 off 41 balls, refused to leave the field, raising his hand in protest. The situation escalated when the Afghanistan coach instructed Akbari to stay on the field, leading to a heated discussion between officials and coaching staff from both teams.The controversial reversal of the decision created tension, with both coaching units debating the ruling. Despite the setback, Afghanistan A posted a formidable total of 206/4, the highest score of the tournament, led by a 137-run opening partnership between Sediqullah Atal (83 off 52) and Akbari. Karim Janat added a quick 41 off 20 balls to give Afghanistan a strong finish.India A, chasing 207, stumbled early, losing five wickets by the 13th over. Ramandeep Singh and Nishant Sindhu provided late resistance with a brisk 68-run stand off 31 balls, but a miscommunication led to Sindhu's run-out, leaving India with too much to do in the final overs.Abdul Rahman held his nerve in the final over, dismissing Ramandeep on the last ball to restrict India A to 186/7, sealing a 20-run victory for Afghanistan A. They now advance to the final to face Sri Lanka A.The controversy surrounding the umpire's decision has raised questions about the use of DRS in international cricket and the potential for human error to influence the outcome of matches.

Virat Kohli's Heated Argument with Umpire Overshadows RCB's VictoryIn a controversial turn of events during the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC), Virat Kohli engaged in a heated argument with the on-field umpire over a disputed LBW decision. The incident occurred during DC's run chase, involving Abishek Porel's dismissal.As Mohammed Siraj delivered an in-swinging yorker, Porel attempted to jam down his bat. RCB players were adamant that the ball had struck his pads in front of the stumps and opted for a review. However, the third umpire ruled in DC's favor, determining that the ball had come off Porel's bat.Kohli and RCB skipper Faf du Plessis were visibly agitated by the decision, leading to a lengthy discussion with the umpires. The incident sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans questioning the accuracy of the third umpire's call.Despite the controversy, RCB emerged victorious in the match, posting a total of 187/9. Rajat Patidar played a crucial role, scoring a solid half-century."The wicket was two-paced when I went in. The ball was holding, especially the slower ball. I've been smarter in selecting which bowlers to go after in the last few games. I try my best to read it from the hand. This target is defendable. We can defend easily if we bowl in good areas," Patidar said during the innings break.

IPL 2024: Heated Confrontation Between Gautam Gambhir and Umpires Overshadows Thrilling RCB-KKR MatchDuring the high-stakes IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, a heated confrontation between former India batsman and KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir and the umpires marred an otherwise thrilling encounter.The incident occurred as RCB approached KKR's challenging total of 222 runs. With just 31 runs needed from 12 balls, the tension was palpable. A visibly upset KKR captain Shreyas Iyer signaled towards the dugout, prompting Gambhir to approach the fourth umpire.Gambhir engaged in a fervent debate, making gestures towards his legs. According to reports, he protested the substitution of Sunil Narine with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Despite his objections, the umpire upheld the ruling, forcing Narine to resume play for the final two overs.This incident followed another controversial moment involving RCB's Virat Kohli, who contested an umpire's decision after being declared out on a full toss. Kohli, adamant that it was a no-ball, sought a review. However, replays confirmed that he was well out of his crease at the time of the delivery.Despite rapid half-centuries from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar, RCB fell agonizingly short by just one run. Jacks scored a brisk 55 off 32 balls, while Patidar contributed a quick 52 from 23 deliveries. Their efforts, however, were not enough to overcome the target set by KKR.In the end, RCB were all out for 221, even after a last-ditch effort by Karn Sharma, who smashed 20 runs off just 7 balls. KKR's bowling attack was led by Andre Russell, who took three wickets for 25 runs. Sunil Narine and Harshit Rana also played crucial roles, each taking two wickets, contributing to KKR's nail-biting victory over RCB.

Virat Kohli's Furious Outburst in IPL 2024 Match Against KKRRoyal Challengers Bangalore's star batter Virat Kohli erupted in anger after a controversial dismissal during the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.Kohli's dismissal came in the third over of RCB's innings, when he attempted to defend a slow full toss from Harshit Rana. However, the ball rose awkwardly, and Kohli ended up getting a leading top edge towards the bowler.Kohli immediately signaled for a review, but the TV umpire upheld the on-field umpire's decision, ruling that Kohli was out of his crease when he made contact. The Hawk-Eye trajectory also indicated that the delivery was below waist height.Kohli was visibly furious with the decision, and he engaged in a heated exchange with the on-field umpires before storming off the field. His emotions continued to run high as he knocked over the garbage bin upon reaching the dug out and later smashed his bat to the ground on his way to the dressing room.Kohli's dismissal was a major blow to RCB, as he had been in good form in the tournament. He had scored 7-ball 18 before his controversial departure.The incident sparked a debate on social media, with many fans questioning the umpire's decision. Some argued that Kohli was within his crease when he made contact, while others felt that the delivery was too high to be called a no-ball.Despite Kohli's dismissal, RCB went on to win the match by 5 wickets, thanks to a brilliant innings from Glenn Maxwell. However, the incident is likely to be a talking point for the rest of the tournament.

Delhi Capitals' Pant Engages in Heated Exchange with Umpire Over Wide CallEmotions flared high at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday as Delhi Capitals' skipper Rishabh Pant clashed with the on-field umpire during a tense encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants.The incident unfolded during the fourth over of the match, when Ishant Sharma bowled a delivery down the leg side to Devdutt Padikkal. The umpire promptly signaled it as a wide, sparking a heated exchange between Pant and the official.Pant's frustration was palpable as he engaged in a verbal altercation with the umpire, culminating in a review being called by the Delhi Capitals. However, confusion ensued as replays confirmed the delivery as a wide, but Pant continued to express his displeasure towards the umpire.Initially, commentators speculated that Pant may have been reluctant to take the review, but subsequent replays showed the wicketkeeper signaling for the referral. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Pant's gesture may have been directed towards a fielder seeking advice on whether to review.However, clarity emerged from former cricketers Pommie Mbangwa and Deep Dasgupta, who revealed that Pant's frustration stemmed from the lack of utilization of the snickometer to determine if there was an outside edge. Pant's gestures towards the umpire, with gloves pressed against his ears, indicated his belief that there was a sound from the bat.Despite the controversy, it was clarified that the on-field umpire's decision was upheld, resulting in Delhi Capitals losing the review. The drama on the field mirrored the intensity of the competition, showcasing the unpredictable nature of cricket and keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.