Michael Clarke opened up on the Nagpur Test ointment controversy and said that he wished that Ravindra Jadeja didn’t have the ball in his hand at the time he put the medicine in his hand. Jadeja was accused by the Australian media for applying an external substance to the ball during day one.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 12:45 IST
Jadeja and India were given a clean chit by the match referee (Courtesy: AP)
By India Today Web Desk: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke commented on the Nagpur ointment controversy involving Ravindra Jadeja and said he wished that the left-arm spinner didn’t have the ball in his hand at that time.
Jadeja marked his return to the Indian team with a fine bowling performance that saw him pick up five wickets for 47 runs in 22 overs, which rattled the visitors and caused their innings to come to an end at 177.
The Indian bowler, however, came under the scanner after the Australian media claimed that he had used some external substance on the ball. The matter was referred to the match referee, Andy Pycroft, who gave India and Jadeja the clean chit before the start of Day two’s play.
Clarke commented on the issue on Big Sports Breakfast, as quoted by Fox Sports, and the former Australian captain said that Jadeja should have handed the ball to the umpire and applied the ointment to his hand in front of the official.
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Clarke went on to say that he doesn’t look at it as an issue but wished that the Indian spinner didn’t have the ball in his hand at the moment.
“He’s bowling so much so he’s probably got a blister or cut on that finger. What he should have done there, he should have given the ball to the umpire and stand in front of the umpire while he was putting it on his finger,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“I don’t look at that and think it’s a thing. I just wish he didn’t have the ball in his hand.”
“If he chucks the ball to the umpire and does that, I don’t think there’s any comment made about that. It’s just the perception.”
“I don’t think there’s anything to it. I could be 100 per cent wrong.”
