According to sources, the Indian team management has notified ICC match referee Andy Pycroft that ace spinner Ravindra Jadeja was seen on camera recordings using painkilling lotion on the finger of his bowling hand on the first day of the Nagpur Test against Australia. After day one of the first Test between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, images showing spinner Jadeja scraping a substance off the back of Mohammed Siraj’s palm and rubbing it on his bowling finger went viral on social media.
Jadeja had already dismissed Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, and Marnus Labuschagne at the time of the incident, and Australia had 120 for 5. Despite the fact that the incident was discussed on social media and in the media, it has been established that the Australian team failed to alert the match referee to the problem. Depending on the situation, the match referee may independently investigate such situations without needing a complaint. The Laws of Cricket also mandate that the bowler acquire the umpire’s permission before applying any form of material to their hands in order to ensure that the condition of the ball is not damaged.
At the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, where the first Test match was being played, Jadeja made a magnificent comeback, picking up five wickets against Australia in the first innings. However, the left-arm spinner’s comeback was marred by controversy after allegations of ball tampering against him. India bowled out Australia for a meager 177 thanks in large part to Jadeja’s outstanding effort of 5/47. While Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami each took one wicket, Ravichandran Ashwin also captured three wickets. Indian batsmen responded by scoring 77/1 at the end of Day 1 and behind Australia by 100 runs with nine wickets remaining.