Andy Pycroft gives Ravindra Jadeja a clean chit on ball tampering accusation
Ravindra Jadeja in action [Source: AP]
In what could be a sigh of relief for India, match referee Andy Pycroft has given Ravindra Jadeja a clean chit on the ball-tampering accusation the star all-rounder underwent during the first day's play of the first Test against Australia.
For information, a video of Jadeja taking a substance off Mohammed Siraj's hands and rubbing it on the index finger of his bowling arm went viral on social media during Australia's first innings.
The incident took place when the visitors were reeling at 120 for five, with their two pillars, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne back in the hut.
Match referee Andy Pycroft showed that video to Jadeja and Indian captain Rohit Sharma after the first day's play concluded.
However, it was clarified by the Indian team that Jadeja was applying a pain-relief cream to his finger and didn't rub anything on the ball to aid reverse swing.
Therefore, the match referee understood the entire scenario and levied off the charges against Jadeja, not conducting any formal enquiry on the player.
Regarding the game, India are cruising at the moment, placed at 134 for two in 43.2 overs. Although they lost Ravichandran Ashwin for 23, Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara look steady in the middle, batting on 81* and 7*, respectively.
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