Ravindra Jadeja was India’s star performer on the 1st Day of the first Test against Australia. He grabbed a five-wicket haul, including the important wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, to restrict Australia to a score of just 177.
Meanwhile, a ‘questionable’ video of Mohammed Siraj and Jadeja during the match was highlighted by an Australian media platform, with former England captain Michael Vaughan criticising India’s intentions. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, on the other hand, put an end to all the speculation by revealing the truth about the Siraj-Jadeja incident.
The incident occurred after the Kangaroos were reduced to 120 for five. Jadeja had already taken three wickets at that point. The left-arm spinner was seen taking a substance from Siraj’s palm with his right hand and rubbing it on his bowling hand’s index finger. Jadeja was never seen applying the substance to the ball in the video.
FOX Cricket, an Australian media outlet, however, highlighted the incident on Twitter with the caption: “A debate has erupted after vision of a questionable moment was spotted during the first innings of the first Test between Australia and India.”
“What is it he is putting on his spinning finger? Never ever seen this,” reacted Vaughan on the tweet.
Here is Michael Vaughan’s tweet
What is it he is putting on his spinning finger ? Never ever seen this … #INDvsAUS https://t.co/NBPCjFmq3w
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 9, 2023
Star Sports highlighted Vaughan’s response to Fox Cricket’s tweet at the beginning of Day 2 of the first Test, but Shastri responded bluntly before revealing that Jadeja was putting ointment on his index finger.
“I have not heard much about it. I have asked two questions. Was there any problem with the Australian team? The answer was ‘no’. Did the match referee come into play? He was told about it, he cleared everything, matter ends. Why are we discussing anybody else? And to be honest, ointment as a reliever, the match referee would have been told if there was any decision to be taken or action, he would have taken it. By the way, on this track, you don’t need anything, the ball will turn,” he said.
