CA issues statement as India A face ball-tampering allegations and Ishan Kishan clashes with umpire

The fourth day of the India A vs Australia A unofficial Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay has seen a lot of drama with the tourists accused of ball-tempering by the match officials after they questioned the dramatic decision to change the ball overnight.

The match began on the fourth day when Australia A required a mere 86 runs to win the first game. However, India A players were not happy with the umpires’ decision to change the ball for the final day, questioning the on-field umpire Shawn Craig over the ball switch.

Drama Unfolds as India A clashes over ball change controversy in unofficial Test

And India A players were told by Craig that they scratched the ball, and that’s why they had to change it. Shawn Craig was heard saying on the stump microphone, “When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion; let’s play.” When Indian players tried to argue, the umpire said, “No more discussion; let’s play. This is not a discussion.”

As the players gathered, India A wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan visibly expressed frustration over the decision, and it only further escalated tensions on the field. The situation intensified when he questioned whether the new ball would remain in play, which prompted Shawn Craig to warn Ishan of disciplinary action for dissent.

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After the umpire told Ishan that “you’re playing with that ball” on being asked if the freshly handed ball would remain in play, India A wicketkeeper expressed his discontent by stating the umpire’s move to be a “really stupid decision.”

No charges for Ishan Kishan as Cricket Australia (CA) clarifies the ball change in Mackay

Reacting to Ishan Kishan’s remarks, “You will be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behavior. It is because of your (team) actions we changed the ball.” However, the umpires have not suggested that any player was directly responsible for scratching the ball.

Meanwhile, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will face no dissent charges after match officials provided clarity regarding the decision to change the ball during the first four-day match in Mackay.

Cricket Australia (CA) stated that it was necessary to change the ball due to the ball’s natural deterioration, leading to the replacement before the start of play. In an official statement, Cricket Australia (CA) also revealed that the captains and managers from both India A and Australia A were informed about this decision ahead of the fourth day's play.

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Umpires changed the ball due to "Deterioration"

The board further confirmed that no further actions would be taken. Since the ball was deemed to have naturally "deteriorated," there was no need for the umpires to apply a five-run penalty. According to Law 41.3.4, such a penalty would only be enforced if the umpires believed the ball's condition was unfairly altered.

Ishan Kishan is not part of India’s Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, starting with the first Test match in Perth on November 22. In the India A lineup, only fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, allrounder Nitish Reddy, and batter Abhimanyu Easwaran are part of the main Test squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia.

Notably, Australia A won the first unofficial Test match by seven wickets against India A. They will next face each other in the second four-day match at the MCG on Thursday, November 7.