'I Don't Think It Was Deliberate'- Vikram Rathour Defends England Players On Ball Tampering Accusations

Team India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour came in support of England players after they were accused of tampering with the ball on the penultimate day of the ongoing second Test at Lord’s.

On Sunday, a video clip shown by the official broadcasters of the match went viral on social media. In the footage, an England player passed the ball with his foot to another player, who used his spikes to trapt the ball, the incident took place in the 35th over of India’s second innings.

I don’t think it was deliberate: Vikram Rathour

Vikram Rathour, who replaced Sanjay Bangar as the batting coach of the Indian team in 2019, said that England players did not do it deliberately.

“We saw it much later but I don’t think it was deliberate,” Rathour said at the post-day press conference.

Yeh kya ho raha hai.
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— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) A<!---->u<!---->g<!---->u<!---->s<!---->t<!----> <!---->1<!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Many fans and cricket experts like Virender Sehwag questioned the attempt of ball-tampering by England players.

Stuart Broad defends his England teammate on ball-tampering accusations

England pacer Stuart Broad, who has been ruled out of the Test series after he sustained a calf tear, responded to one Indian fan’s query if there was any intention of damaging the ball.

To which Broad said, “See my past comments. Watch the video. Of course, it’s wasn’t.

Later Broad was questioned by another fan whether the match officials should have changed the ball or not. The England pacer said it wasn’t needed if there were no marks on the ball.

“Depends If it was damaged? Exactly the same if it was hit into the stands. If it didn’t make a mark, why change it ?” Broad replied.

India currently leads by 154 runs after Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane restored their innings when they were reeling at 55/3 after 24 overs, losing the wicket of both openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul followed by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

However, both Pujara and Rahane fell in the final overs of the day which left India at 181/6 with Rishabh Pant (14*) and Ishant Sharma at the crease. For England, Mark Wood (3/40) was their best performer of the day.

Also Read: Stuart Broad Issues Clarification After Indian Fans Allege England Team Of Ball Tampering