The On-Field Conflict With The Umpire (Source: @ImTanujSingh/x.com)
After withdrawing his name from the South Africa tour of India in 2023, Ishan Kishan caused a big buzz when he was seen relaxing shortly after. Just as the dust began to settle, trouble followed him again in 2024 during his time in Australia, keeping him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
As India A was facing Australia A in 2024, he grabbed attention for his fiery exchange with the umpires. A heated argument over a ball change with the on-field umpire turned into a fiery exchange, dragging him into another fresh controversy.
Ishan Kishan’s Heated Clash With Umpire
In October 2024, India A side played two unofficial Test matches against Australia A just before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After being out of the team for a long time, Ishan Kishan made his way into the side and donned the wicketkeeper’s gloves in the series. But in the first match, he stirred controversy with his conflict with the umpire.
Just before play started on the final day, umpire Shawn Craig told the Indian team that the ball had been changed because there were visible marks on its surface. This raised suspicions and sparked worries about possible ball tampering.
The on-field umpire said, “Scratch it, we change the ball...no more discussion, let's play.” That made Ishan angry as the wicketkeeper-batter replied back, saying, “So we are going to play with this ball…that's a very stupid decision.”
That remark didn’t sit well with the umpire as he warned Ishan on his inappropriate on-field behavior. “ Excuse me, you'll be on report for dissent. That's inappropriate behavior. Because of your actions, we changed the ball,” the umpire said.
The Indian Batter Escaped The Big Charge
As the allegation was serious, the Indian wicketkeeper batter escaped trouble as Cricket Australia didn’t proceed with any kind of charge against him. They clarified that the ball was replaced purely due to its worn-out condition and had informed both teams about the change before the day’s play began.
Even after on-field dramas, the game didn’t end in their favor. After India ended their first innings on only 107 runs, they bounced back stronger, depending on Sai Sudharsan’s Century and Devdutt Padikkal’s crucial innings of 88 runs. However, the bowlers couldn’t hold their nerve in the final stretch, leading to a 7-wicket defeat.
