‘Action needs to be taken against Fox Cricket’ – Fans not happy with Australian media for alleging Ravindra Jadeja of ball-tampering

Indian spinner, Ravindra Jadeja had a great outing with the ball on day 1 of the Nagpur Test match against Australia on Thursday. Coming back from an injury, the Indian spinner didn’t take a lot of time to make an impact.

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He made great use of the spinning track and bowled at great lengths. The southpaw ended up picking five wickets and, thereby, helped his team bundle out Australia for a paltry score of 177 runs.

Following the day’s play, he was one of the most talked about players on social media. The fans were pretty impressed with his comeback in Tests and lauded him for his disciplined bowling display. Amidst this, Australian wicket-keeper batter, Tim Paine left a reply on a video clip involving Ravindra Jadeja, which has gone viral on the internet. The video clip has left all cricket fans and experts wondering.

In the clip, Jadeja could be seen taking something off Siraj’s hand and then applying that to his finger near the ball.  The incident took place in the 16^th over when Australia were reeling at 120 for 5 with Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb at the crease.

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‘Interesting’, Tim Paine wrote in the comment section.

“What is it he is putting on his spinning finger? Never ever seen this,” England great Michael Vaughan tweeted.

A lot of other fans also took keen interest in the video and expressed their opinion on the same. Here’s a look at some of those.

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

But since India basically run world cricket, will anything come of it? I’m not too sure.

— Darren Lock (@Dags_L) February 9, 2023

However, later, some reports suggested that Jadeja that applying ointment for sore fingers. The fans bashed those who though, otherwise, and made wrong allegations. Here's a look at some of the reactions:

That's what I think. Like there is no sandpaper visible on the screen unlike the one incident I remember from a team.

— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) February 9, 2023

Smith and Warner fans tried to make this an issue 😭

— Aditya (@AdityaArhod) February 9, 2023

Bodied Lox Letwork.

— The Wr3d Primus (@WalkerAb13) February 9, 2023

I was also shocked by @FoxCricket article. Can understand it's a cooked up issue. Thank you @mufaddal_vohra for clarifying. I have high regards for our players. @mdsirajofficial & @imjadeja 👍🏿.

— Abinesh Nagendran (@Pakkudu4) February 9, 2023

Action needs to be taken against @FoxCricket

— Jenis Jebaraj (@jenis_jebaraj) February 9, 2023

tel laga lo Dabur ka, naam mita do Australia ka

— retired ICT fan (@anubhav__tweets) February 9, 2023

Those guys actually used sandpaper many times and now lecturing us about an ointment the hypocrisy 😭

— 💉 (@dtsaae) February 9, 2023

Every team is not Australia and every player is not Australians to use sandpaper

— Cricket Crazy (@CrazyinCricket) February 9, 2023

After losing two early wickets, Steve Smith and Labuschagne added 82 runs for the third wicket to lead Australia’s recovery in the first innings. It was Ravindra Jadeja, who broke the partnership and helped India dominate the rest of the day.

He accounted for the wicket of Labuschange and had Renshaw leg-before on the very next ball. A little later, Jadeja bowled a beauty only to rattle the stumps of Steve Smith, leaving Australia in all sorts of trouble at 109 for 5.

Australia ended up making only 177 in the first innings. In reply, India have lost only 1 wicket for 77 runs at Stumps on day 2.