Watch: Prasidh Krishna fumes at umpire as fresh 'ball controversy' rocks IND-A vs AUS-A 2nd unofficial Test

The controversy regarding the ball in the unofficial Test series between Australia A and India A continued in the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. India A fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was seemingly unhappy with the ball this time.

Prasidh Krishna showed the ball to the umpire and was visibly talking about its condition with the on-field umpire. India A captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed were also involved in the chat where the umpire seemed to be explaining something about the ball to Prasidh Krishna.

The conversation was not clear but the commentators suggested that it might be some kind of a 'paint' or 'dye' sprayed sort of green dye on the ball. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad cleaned the ball in order to shine it from one end. The match resumed after this brief chat.

Also read: IND vs AUS: Gautam Gambhir alleged of unreasonable support to these 2 Indian players

Watch: Frustrated Prasidh Krishna 'unhappy' with the ball

Ball-tampering controversy in 1st Unofficial Test

It is not the first time in this series when there has been a controversy regarding the shape of the ball. In the first Test, the India A players were involved in a ball-tampering controversy with the on-field umpire Shawn Craig.

The incident had happened before the start of play on the last day of the Test. The umpire changed the ball and when the Indian players asked him about the decision, Craig accused them of scratching the ball.

“When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play," Craig was audible saying it on the stump mic later.

The video had gone viral on social media. India A wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan did not hold back and called the umpire's decision as a "stupid decision". The umpire was visibly not pleased and warned Kishan to report him for "dissent".

“You will be on report for dissent, that is very inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball," Craig responded back.

Shawn Craig is not the umpire in the current match. Gerard Abood are the on-field umpires for the second Test while Kent Hannam is the match referee.

Meanwhile, former Australia opener David Warner, who faced a 12-year-ban for his role in the 2018 match-fixing scandal, made a bold claim that Cricket Australia removed the match-fixing issue quickly knowing that India will tour Australia.

“They have obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer. But if the umpires deemed something happened, I am sure there will be a follow up. I think the umpires or the match referee should be standing here answering questions," Warner had said.

Australia A inch ahead in 2nd Test

Meanwhile, Australia A is currently ahead in the match as they look to clean-sweep the series. After bundling out India A for 161 in the first innings, Australia A fought with its strong lower order to post 223 in their first innings.

Prasidh Krishna was the pick of India's bowlers and finished with 4-50 in 16 overs. In reply, India A were 73-5 at stumps on Day 2. The hero of the first innings, Dhruv Jurel, is still at the crease and is looking solid alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy. Jurel scored a magnificent 80 in the first innings and has staked a claim in India's Playing XI for the first Test.

Prasidh Krishna is also in India's squad for the five-match Test series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Prasidh Krishna's form is a great sign for India who are currently facing a shortage of experience in the fast bowling department.