The ongoing three-match unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A has been riddled with heightened ball tampering accusations. Its been so far a difficult tour for the visitors as India A had to cope with a lot of blame and criticism from the fans and the officials for their alleged involvement in ball tampering in the first unofficial Test at Mackay.

The Indian side were visibly upset after seeing the umpires change the ball against their wishes. Ishan Kishan came under the scanner for his heated exchange with the umpire Shawn Craig and called his decision to change the ball "stupid". In response, Craig replied by cautioning the wicket-keeper batter that he would be on the report the following day for his offensive remarks. 

Fortunately, Ishan Kishan was spared by Cricket Australia and the match officials for that match and no sanction was applied on him. However, this move was later criticized by former Aussie opener David Warner questioned the umpire's decision to change the ball. 

So what's all the fuss again with the ball?

In the second unofficial Test, India A players were once again caught in the eye of a storm for a rather less offensive ball-related incident in Melbourne. In this recent video, players could be seen having a chat with the umpires about a particular substance that was found on the ball. As per the commentators on air at that time, the substance that could have been on the ball may have been mud or some sort of an artificial substance like white paint. 

pic.twitter.com/kVMQYjAC0K

— A (@cricketvf) November 8, 2024

Nevertheless, the exchange was by no means a welcoming one as India A pacer Prasidh Krishna was seen visibly disturbed when he was asked to remove the mud under the supervision of the umpire. 

Where does the match stand?

Australia A bowlers have once again managed to get the better of the India A batters in the second Test. Australia A managed to secure a valuable 62-run lead, courtesy of a fighting 74 from the opener Marcus Harris. Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran failed to deliver with the bat yet again as India A were reduced to 73/5 at the end of day two's play in the second four-day game against Australia A on Friday.  

See also: Former Australian wicketkeeper accused India A of ball tampering

Indian cricketer KL Rahul is fighting to earn his spot in the Indian Test playing XI. However, the right-handed batter stunned everyone with his bizarre dismissal during the unofficial Test match against Australia A.

India A are playing against Australia A in the last game of the two-match unofficial Test series. India A started their second innings of the second game at MCG by trailing 62 runs, and KL Rahul opened with Abhimanyu Easwaran. Both the players are fighting for the opening spot for the five-match Test series opener against the hosts Australia, as captain Rohit Sharma is doubtful for the first Test. 

While Easwaran scored a duck in the first innings, Rahul only managed to score four runs in that innings. 

Once again, Easwaran failed to impress, as he was out for 17 runs during India A’s second innings. Meanwhile, KL Rahul was trying hard to stay in the crease while he didn’t get a solid partner at the other end.

What was KL Rahul thinking?

While India A were struggling at 44/3, Rahul had a bafflement. Facing the off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, Rahul took the delivery casually, which was going towards the leg side. However, the ball hit the top of his left pad, changed the direction, and took off the off-stump bail.

"Don't know what he was thinking!"

Oops... that's an astonishing leave by KL Rahul 😱 #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/e4uDPH1dzz

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024

It was completely a poor and baffling dismissal. Even the commentators were asking what Rahul was thinking there. The right-handed batter was dismissed for 10 runs off 44 balls as India A were struggling at 44/4. 

Dhruv Jurel, who scored the fighting 80-run knock in the first innings to help India A score 161 runs, is battling once again in the second innings as he was not out for 19 runs at the stumps of the day where India A were struggling at 73/5 with a lead of 11 runs.

Rahul and Easwaran both disappointed

After scoring 0 and 12 during the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand, it was Rahul’s first game where he was dismissed for four and 10 runs. As the uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran also failed in his four innings for India A in the ongoing Australia tour, where he scored 7, 12, 0, and 17, team India will struggle to choose the opening partner of Yashsavi Jaiswal for the first Test, where the captain’s presence is doubtful. 

Australia A’s Michael Neser put on an impressive performance against India A in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, only to be struck by injury midway through his fiery spell. The seamer made an instant impact with the ball, reducing India A to a precarious 4-0 within the first three overs of the day. His exceptional opening spell was capped by a sensational double-wicket maiden, taking the wickets of Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan in quick succession. Following that, Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed cheaply, leaving India A in deep trouble early in their innings.

Neser’s brilliant spell derailed by injury

However, in the midst of his remarkable performance, disaster struck. After sending down just 12 deliveries in his 13th over, Neser felt discomfort in his left hamstring. Cricket Australia confirmed that he would not take any further part in the game. The injury cut short a blistering performance that had put India A on the backfoot, leaving Australia A in a strong position.

Can Neser recover in time for Border-Gavaskar trophy?

Despite the early injury, there remains hope for Neser’s participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It is highly unlikely that he will feature in the series opener in Perth, as the gap between the first and second Tests is just 10 days. However, this short recovery window could allow Neser to recover and be available for the remainder of the series. Furthermore, his inclusion could help manage the workload of Australia’s key pacers like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

This is not the first time Neser has struggled with injury. A similar issue occurred during his last Sheffield Shield appearance, leading to his absence from a One-Day Cup match soon after. At the time, he attributed the discomfort to running on an outfield made harder by extra sand due to the Australian Football season. His claims were supported by fellow bowlers Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott, both of whom have faced similar issues with cramps and heavy legs.

See Also: Watch: Alzarri Joseph's on-field clash with Shai Hope sparks drama in ODI win over England

Despite the injury setback, Australia A finished Day 1 on top, dismissing India A for just 161 runs. The early breakthroughs from Neser, though cut short, were pivotal in the collapse of India A's top order. In response, Australia A had some early setbacks with the dismissals of Nathan McSweeney and Cameron Bancroft, but they were still in a strong position, ending the day 108 runs behind with eight wickets in hand.

While Michael Neser’s injury is a blow to Australia A's progress in the second unofficial Test, the team remains hopeful that he will recover in time for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His superb performance against India A showcased his potential to be a key player in Australia’s fast-bowling attack. With a 10-day gap before the second Test, there’s a possibility that Neser could return, ensuring his place in the squad to help Australia compete at the highest level. In the meantime, Australia A will look to capitalize on their strong position and complete a dominant performance against India A.

Indian cricketers KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been added to the India A squad ahead of the second unofficial Test against the hosts Australia A.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the Australia A vs India A second unofficial Test match, starting on Thursday (November 7). KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, the senior Indian squad members for the upcoming Australia tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, were sent earlier than the other members to get proper match practice.  

Australia A won the first unofficial Test against India A by seven wickets. While India A were all out for only 107 runs in the first innings of the match, they fought bravely in their second innings. Sai Sudharsan (103) and Devdutt Padikkal (88) performed well in the second innings but India A were all out for 312 runs as they set up a fourth innings target of 225 runs. 

SEE ALSO: Virat Kohli slips lowest Test batting rankings in last 10 years

Rahul and Easwaran have the chance to earn an opportunity  

As Rahul and Jurel have officially joined the India A team, both are expected to play the second unofficial Test against Australia A. Rahul is expected to open for India A along with the vice-captain uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran. Both are in the senior Indian full-member Test squad. 

As captain Rohit Sharma is doubtful for the five-match Test series opener against the hosts Australia, Rahul and Easwaran both have great opportunities to perform well and earn the other spot of Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner. As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 will be a five-match Test series, starting on November 22, they can get more opportunities. 

Prasidh Krishna already replaced Yash Dayal

Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna was earlier added to the India A squad as a replacement for Yash Dayal. Dayal is in the Indian T20I squad that will play a four-match T20I series against the hosts South Africa, starting on November 8. On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna has already been selected in the full-member Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against the hosts Australia. 

India A updated squad for the Australia tour

Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk).

In the wake of recent ball-tampering allegations against India A, former Australian cricketer David Warner has urged Cricket Australia (CA) to release an official statement clarifying the incident. Warner claims CA was quick to dismiss the issue without providing a clear explanation to the public, a move he believes requires further scrutiny, especially with India’s highly anticipated tour of Australia underway.

Warner calls for Cricket Australia’s Transparency

Warner, speaking in Sydney, stated that Cricket Australia seemed to have "swept the issue under the rug" following a contentious incident involving a ball change during India A’s tour match against Australia A in Mackay. The issue erupted when umpire Shawn Craig mandated a change of the match ball due to noticeable scratch marks, which he attributed to India A players, causing frustration among the Indian players and igniting a heated exchange.

"Given that India is coming here this summer, it feels like CA just wanted this issue to disappear quietly," Warner told reporters. "If the umpires saw something questionable, then it’s only fair that CA follows up with a statement explaining what happened."

The umpire’s remarks, captured via stump microphones, were stern, leaving no room for dispute. "You scratch it, we change the ball," Craig stated, adding that there would be no further discussion. This exchange visibly agitated India A’s wicketkeeper, Ishan Kishan, who expressed his discontent, calling it a "very stupid decision." Kishan’s comment was met with a warning from Craig, who said he would report the player for dissent.

Controversial ball change decision highlights umpire-captain tensions

The incident has divided fans and raised questions about officiating standards. Warner, a former opener who knows the weight of such allegations, urged CA to defend its staff if they back the umpire’s call. "If the umpires or match referee stand by the decision, CA should support them openly," Warner stated, emphasizing the importance of transparency.

Warner’s call for an official statement comes as CA clarified that the ball was changed due to "deterioration," not necessarily due to player interference. The match referee also informed both teams’ captains of the decision beforehand, with no further actions taken against any India A player. However, for Warner, the issue is far from closed.

"I think it’s only fair that CA makes a clear statement on this. We have a right to know what happened out there, especially with ball tampering such a sensitive topic in cricket."

See Also: Josh Inglis named as the temporary captain for the white-ball series against Pakistan

Warner’s stance has caught attention partly due to his own involvement in a high-profile ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, for which he served a year-long suspension. The ban stripped him of leadership privileges within the Australian squad, adding weight to his request for accountability from the current officials. Warner’s insistence on transparency reflects the sensitivity surrounding ball tampering and the lasting effects of such incidents on players and fans alike.

While CA’s current position suggests they don’t plan to revisit the matter, Warner’s comments may apply pressure for the organization to clarify the incident. The former cricketer’s comments indicate an underlying tension in maintaining transparency around contentious decisions, especially in the lead-up to major tours.

With Warner voicing his concerns, the ball-tampering controversy involving India A has sparked renewed debate over Cricket Australia's handling of sensitive incidents. Whether or not CA will issue the statement Warner demands remains to be seen, but the incident underscores the need for clarity, especially in light of ongoing scrutiny in international cricket.

The last day of the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A at McKay ended in a big controversy. While the on-field umpires changed the ball, a legendary Australian wicketkeeper accused the visiting side of involving in ball tampering. 

India A are touring Australia for a two-match unofficial Test against Australia A and another match against the senior Indian national cricket team. 

India A lost the first unofficial Test

The first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A ended with a seven-wicket win for Australia A. After India A were all out for 107 runs, the hosts scored 195 runs. Starting their second innings trailing by 88 runs, India A scored 312 runs. 

While Australia A had a fourth innings target of 225 runs, they reached the target after losing three wickets. 

A ball was changed on the final day

During the fourth or final day of the unofficial Test match, the on-field umpires Ben Treloar and Shawn Craig changed a ball and brought a new ball. According to the reports, the umpires found some unnatural scratches on the ball. India A cricketers questioned the ball change. 

Although there is no serious accusation, Ishan Kishan has been warned for showing dissent. While the umpires didn’t award any penalty runs, which can happen if a team is involved in ball-tampering, Cricket Australia (CA) later clarified that the ball was changed due to “deterioration.”  

Ian Healy made a big comment

However, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has claimed that the India A team tampered with the ball to earn the reverse swing earlier in the small fourth innings chase. 

Healy told SENQ, “When you see a team complain about a ball being changed, they were up to something. India A were gearing up for a big reverse swing session in order to get the Australians under pressure. Australia were chasing a small total and it just didn’t happen (for India A). The Australia A batters were oblivious to it. They just put their head down and performed really well.”

The 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering incident is still fresh in cricket fans' memory. It is famously known as “Sandpapergate” where then-Australian captain Steven Smith, then-vice-captain David Warner, and the main accused Cameron Bancroft were found guilty. 

India’s KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel are scheduled to fly to Australia ahead of the main squad to secure valuable match practice before India’s five-Test series against Australia, set to commence on November 22 in Perth. Both batters will feature in the India A team for their second and final four-day match against Australia A, which will take place at the MCG starting on November 7. The India A squad, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, aims to make a strong comeback after a seven-wicket loss in the first match in Mackay, which ended controversially due to a ball-change issue. This additional game will allow Rahul and Jurel to get familiar with the challenging Australian conditions before joining the senior team for the main series.

Rahul and Jurel head to Australia early for crucial practice

Rahul, who has struggled to find form in recent Test outings, is looking to regain his confidence after being left out of India's XI for the second and third Tests against New Zealand. He was replaced by Shubman Gill, with whom the management seems keen to experiment following a 3-0 defeat at home. For Jurel, this early opportunity is equally crucial as he attempts to establish his place in India’s Test plans. Having last played in the Test series against England, Jurel has not featured in the five home Tests since Rishabh Pant’s return. With limited red-ball exposure, Jurel's recent outings have included a Duleep Trophy match and a notable 93-run innings in the Irani Cup, showcasing his potential to make a comeback.

India's preparations under Rohit’s strategic approach

Sending Rahul and Jurel ahead signifies India’s intent to maximize match practice. Originally, the Indian team had planned an intra-squad warm-up fixture in Perth to acclimate, but captain Rohit Sharma explained the change in plans, emphasizing the need for focused match simulations instead. The team, he reasoned, would benefit more from these dedicated simulations than a conventional practice game. "We’re traveling with a 19-man squad and have just three days. A practice game won’t offer everyone adequate time," Rohit noted, adding that simulation sessions allow batters and bowlers to gain the middle time they need to prepare rigorously.

See Also: Australian Summer Kicks off with Starc’s fiery spell against Pakistan

The Indian squad, departing on November 10, will train at Perth’s iconic WACA ground ahead of the Test series opener at Optus Stadium, a venue where they last played in 2018-19, securing a memorable 2-1 series win. Notably, captain Rohit Sharma may be unavailable for the opening match due to personal reasons, leaving Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been in excellent domestic form, as a potential opener. Easwaran, who was drafted as Rohit's replacement, has already had a taste of Australian conditions but managed only modest scores in the first A game.

India’s five-Test series in Australia marks a significant challenge, and with star players joining early and meticulous training plans, the team is working to be well-prepared for this high-stakes tour.

The troubles for the Indian team have already begun even before the start of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Controversy erupted when match officials made the decision to change the ball before the start of the play on Sunday in the first unofficial Test. India A players were informed that the ball was changed since the umpires felt that the ball was tampered at some point in the match.  

Umpire Shawn Craig is the man who brought this development to the team’s attention. Understandably so, the decision was not well received by the India A players and they soon began protesting the on-field umpire’s decision. 

Heated conversation between Kishan and the on-field umpires

Once the decision regarding ball change was made, Umpire Craig replied firmly to the Indian players stating that once the ball is scratched it ought to be changed and refrained from getting into further discussion. India A wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan was livid by that call and called it a stupid decision. 

India A accused of Ball Tampering.

Shawn Craig - "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play. This is not a discussion."

Ishan Kishan - "So we have to play with this ball?"

S Craig - "You're playing with that ball."

I Kishan - "That's a very… pic.twitter.com/iKDoH0ZVDf

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) November 3, 2024

Such remarks were not welcomed by the on-field umpire and Kishan was later informed that he will be reported for the same. Surprisingly enough, the officials did not offer any explanation on how the ball was tampered and did not offer a 5-run penalty to Australia A.

See Also: Shai Hope shines in West Indies captain achievements with a century

Players implicated in the ball tampering incident may face suspensions if it is determined that the team deliberately altered the condition of the ball, as outlined in Cricket Australia's code of conduct. However, Kishan ended up on the fortunate side and was spared by the governing body despite his rash remarks against the on-field umpires.

Sitanshu Kotak, one of India's most respected cricket coaches, is all set to accompany the India A team as head coach on their upcoming tour to Australia. The India A team, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will play two matches against Australia's A team. The first game is scheduled for October 31 at GBRA in Mackay, followed by the second game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 7. Following the two matches, the India A side will play a practice match against the Indian senior team at WACA, Perth.

Kotak to guide India A in Australia

See Also: Virat Kohli just 55 runs away from 16,000 runs record ahead of Pune Test

Gaikwad to lead, Easwaran named vice-captain

Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the team, with Abhimanyu Easwaran serving as vice-captain. Easwaran has been in tremendous form on the domestic circuit, making him a strong contender for a reserve opening spot in India's main Test squad. The team will also include young talents like Sai Sudharsan, who recently scored a double century in the Ranji Trophy, and other key players like Devdutt Padikkal and Baba Indrajith in the middle order.

The bowling department features Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dayal, both of whom are competing for a left-arm seamer position in India's main squad. With key Test series ahead, this tour is crucial for India A players, offering them a chance to prove their mettle and potentially earn spots in the senior team.