Aakash Chopra accuses Ricky Ponting and Australian media of conspiring against team India; exposes truth

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra shared a surprising revelation about the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, revealing an incident during the Perth Test where tensions flared within the Indian cricket team.

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had a heated argument on the field, and Chopra revealed that the Australian broadcasters embroidered the issue by increasing the volume on their microphones, attempting to create unnecessary controversy around the team.

Aakash Chopra exposes Australian media's role in exaggerating Ishant Sharma-Ravindra Jadeja incident in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19

The cricket pandit also revealed that former Australian captain Ricky Ponting harshly criticized the Indian team after the incident, despite it being an internal matter.

Despite these distractions, India, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, made history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series on Australian soil, clinching a 2-1 victory.

Kohli's aggressive approach in red-ball cricket rattled the Australians, making the series a significant achievement for the Indian team.

Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra recently shared his experience from the 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy during a podcast on the 2 Sloggers YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra said that he realized while working as a commentator for Channel 7 that when India plays in Australia, they're not just facing the Australian cricket team but also dealing with the entire nation, including the local press.

He highlighted an incident where Ishant and Jadeja had an on-field altercation. Aakash Chopra further revealed that the Australian broadcasters amplified the stump mic audio and circulated the heated exchange to the media, blowing it out of proportion.

Aakash Chopra reveals Ricky Ponting’s surprising change in tone in the 2018 Perth Test Controversy

The commentator further recalled how, despite private discussions downplaying the event, Ponting publicly criticized the Indian team, which left him surprised by the sudden change in his tone.

Aakash Chopra said in a podcast on the 2 Sloggers YouTube channel: “They used to release videos—they did it in front of me when Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja had a heated exchange with each other while standing in the 30-yard circle. The broadcasters amped up the stump mic as they were abusing each other. They cut the clip and shared it with the press in front of me.

After that, when we were talking off the field, I was like, What are we trying to achieve because it's nothing? Then Ricky was there with us, and he said that ' making a mountain out of a molehill'. The moment he went into the air, he tore into the Indian team, and I was stunned that he had just said something else a few minutes back.”

That incident made me realize that the flag of India is more important: Aakash Chopra

Meanwhile, Chopra recalled how that incident made him think differently when commenting on Australia. A heated exchange between Ishant and Jadeja made him realize that neutrality is sometimes not possible, especially while commentating during India vs. Australia matches.

The former Indian batter further revealed that Channel 7 was very kind at that time, as they called him in the commentary box even though the fact that he didn’t have the stint to present India's case.

Chopra explained that disagreements among players are normal in any team. However, the next day, Australian media sensationalized the incident, with headlines suggesting internal conflict within the Indian team.

Chopra signed off by saying, “Channel 7 called me to present India's case. I said there is no team where players have no disagreements; it's a game played by adults. The next day when we lost the Perth Test, I was driving somewhere and picked a newspaper, and the front page news was about Ishant and Jadeja with the headlineThere is in-fighting in the Indian cricket team." It was front-page news. Then, I understood that you should leave the neutral commentary when you are playing against Australia in Australia and then understand that the flag of India is more important.”