India's A team has been accused of tampering with the ball during their match against Australia A, marking an explosive start to the men's international summer. As play resumed on day four in Mackay on Sunday, India's players were informed by umpire Shawn Craig that the ball had been changed due to tampering. "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play," Craig could be heard saying on the stump microphone.
India's wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan was subsequently put on report by Craig for expressing his disagreement with the decision, calling it a "stupid decision." "You will be on report for dissent, that is very inappropriate behaviour," Craig responded. "Because of your actions we changed the ball." Craig did not elaborate on how he believed India had scratched the ball, and no five-run penalty was imposed on the tourists.
Kishan is not part of India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which commences in Perth on 22 November, but has played two Tests among his 61 internationals. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Nitish Kumar, and batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran are the only players in the India A side who are part of the Test squad. There is currently no indication as to who the umpires believe was responsible for the alleged tampering.
Australia went on to secure a seven-wicket victory in the A-match on day four, with Nathan McSweeney scoring an undefeated 88, bolstering his case for a spot in the XI for the first Test against India starting on 22 November.
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