India A issue official statement on ball-tampering allegations and Ishan Kishan's fight with umpire

India A's ongoing tour of Australia has been marred by a ball-tampering scandal. The incident took place during the first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A at Mackay in Queensland last week.

India A were accused of ball-tampering on the fourth and final day of the game on Sunday (November 3). Umpire Shawn Craig and the Indian players were involved in a heated exchange. The exchange began when the Indian team noticed that the umpires had changed the ball for the new session.

The players were not at all happy with the decision to change the ball and made their feelings clear. Replying to the Indian players' query, the umpire accused them of scratching the ball before asking them to stop any further discussion and resume the game.

"When you scratch it, we change the ball," said the umpire. "No more discussion, let's play, this is not a discussion."

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan then questioned the umpire, saying: "So we have to play with this ball?"

When the umpire confirmed that the ball won't be changed, an annoyed Kishan vented his frustration by saying: "That's a very stupid decision."

The umpire was not impressed with Kishan's comment and was heard telling him: "Excuse me. You will be on the report for dissent. That is very inappropriate behavior. Because of your actions, we changed the ball."

Also Read: Australia legend dismisses CA's defense, accuses India A of ball-tampering ahead of BGT

India A on ball-tampering allegations:

According to a report in the Indian Express, the India A team has denied all allegations made against them of scratching the ball. A source in the team has stated that the scratch might have occurred due to the ball hitting the side-board or the ball could have struck a nail near the boundary ropes.

"Our players didn’t tamper or scratch the ball. There were three marks on the ball which was changed.

"It was like a nail would have brushed it near the ground or the marks would have happened near the boundary rope or it must have brushed the boards. Our players had nothing to do with any allegations and our players told this to the umpire too," said the source.

The source also spoke on the exchange between the umpire and Kishan, saying that the wicketkeeper just asked the umpire the reason for changing the ball.

"Kishan just asked the umpire for reasons to why the ball was being changed as we felt the ball was good enough to be used and that is why our players spoke to the umpire," said the source.

Meanwhile, Australia A beat India A by seven wickets in the first game to take the lead in the two-match series. The second and final match is scheduled to be played from November 7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India A will be bolstered by the addition of KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to the team.