BGT 2023: Tampering? Cheating? Ravindra Jadeja Was Applying Ointment for Sore Finger

Ravindra Jadeja made a sensational comeback to international cricket with a five-wicket haul as he spun his web around the Australian batting lineup on Day 1 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jadeja was too good for the Australian batters as they were bundled out for just 177 on the first day itself. Before Nagpur’s Test, the southpaw last played for India in Asia Cup 2022 where he sustained a knee injury and was out of action for nearly 5 months.

However, the Australian media found a way to target Jadeja alleging him of foul play based on a short video clip shared on social media. The claim was further fueled by former skipper Tim Paine and England’s Michael Vaughan. Fox Cricket claimed Ravindra Jadeja was applying an ‘interesting substance’ on his bowling finger during the day’s play.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: IND trails by 100 runs

Jadeja applies ‘ointment on sore finger’, triggers debate

Meanwhile, Cricketnext has learned that the ‘substance’ was an ointment for his sore finger. The 34-year-old was out of action for nearly five months and is not used to such a heavy workload. Jadeja bowled 22 over on day one. The Australian duo of Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb were at the crease with the visitors at 120-5, when Jadeja came to bowl his 16th over. The left-arm spinner had already taken three wickets, giving away 30 runs. In a video that is now going viral on social media, Jadeja, as the Australian media have alleged, took something from the hands of one of his teammates.

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

Meanwhile, Jadeja finished his spell with figures of 5-47 as Australia was restricted to a total of 177, while Team India finished the day at 77/1, with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma smashing a half-century. While it wasn’t the first time when the Australian media targeted the Indian team in this series as earlier they labeled Nagpur’s pitch as doctored for a couple of dry patches. While they also questioned the credentials of DRS which was taken by India in the second over on Day 1 and resulted in Usman Khawaja’s wicket.