Watch: Virat Kohli brutally mocks Aussies with sandpaper gesture after Jasprit Bumrah faces false accusations

After the Australian crowd called Jasprit Bumrah a ‘cheater,’ accusing him of using sandpaper to gain an unfair advantage in the New Year’s Test, Virat Kohli took the perfect revenge by reminding them of the Kangaroos’ infamous Sandpaper Gate scandal at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Day 3.

In the viral video, Jasprit Bumrah can be seen removing his shoe, with something falling out of it. While its exact nature remains uncertain, it seems to be padding commonly used by fast bowlers to ensure a cushioned and comfortable landing during their delivery stride.

Virat Kohli reminds Australian fans of 'Sandpaper Gate'

But the Australian media and fans started accusing the premier Indian pacer of using sandpaper on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

Is that #sandpaper in bumrah’s shoe? #AUSvIND #TestMatch #Cricket pic.twitter.com/05ZMfM3aDc

— Raf Sciezka Pfizer x 3 (@rafSciezka) January 3, 2025

Well, this is interesting 🤔

Is that sandpaper???? #AUSvIND #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/NdYYWm13iJ

— Jonas A Seagal (@JASeagal) January 3, 2025

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Meanwhile, reacting to the social media uproar, Virat Kohli, who is never one to shy away from a confrontation and for his quirky interactions with spectators, delivered a piercing blow to Australian crowds who crossed the line at the SCG on Day 3.

Virat Kohli takes hilarious dig at Australian Cricket’s dark past

In a fiery display of on-field theatrics, Virat Kohli turned the heat back on the hosts, reminding the Australians of their infamous 'Sandpaper Gate' scandal. The dashing Indian right-hander Virat Kohli was seen emptying his pockets towards the crowds, as he hilariously conveyed his message that he wasn’t carrying anything in his pocket to tamper with the ball.

Virat Kohli's gestures were much louder than words, reviving the painful memories of one of Australia's darkest cricketing chapters. He made the gesture following Steve Smith's dismissal, as India claimed three quick wickets on Day 3 of the New Year’s Test against Australia in Sydney.

Watch Kohli's gesture towards Australian fans here:

"What is that about?"#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HwNZXhKW1S

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025

Notably, Smith was one of the three players involved in the Sandpaper Gate scandal in Cape Town. Australia’s Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were exposed for using sandpaper during a Test match against South Africa at Newlands. The incident led to a 12-month ban for all three players from all forms of cricket, and even Smith lost his captaincy.

Austarlia beat India by 6 wickets to lift Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Speaking about the Day 5 actions, Team India was bundled out for 157 runs on Day 3, with Scott Boland taking six wickets for Australia in the second innings at the iconic SCG. Pat Cummins also scalped with three scalps, setting a 162-run target for Australia to chase in the final game.

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India had a great start, but without Jasprit Bumrah, they couldn’t trouble the Australian bowlers, as Sam Konstas’ 22, Usman Khawaja’s 41, Travis Head’s unbeaten 34, and Beau Webster’s 39* runs were enough to take the hosts to a six-wicket win over the tourists at the SCG.

Australia chased down the target in just 27 overs, winning the game by 6 wickets to clinch the five-match Test series by a 3-1 margin. The Australians finally lifted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after more than a decade under Pat Cummins’ captaincy.