"Australia Clearly Played With The...": Ex-Pakistan Star Makes Startling Ball Tampering Claim In WTC Final

09.06.2023 - 11:31 sports.ndtv.com

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has accused the Pat Cummins-led Australian team of altering with the condition of the ball in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India at The Oval.

After posting a total of 469, Australia restricted India to a total of 151/5 at stumps on Day 2. Amid Australia's dominance on the first two days of the match, Basit Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 ODIs for Pakistan, said that Cummins and co. 'made the ball' near the 15th over, which led to India's batting collapse.

The 52-year-old expressed his surprise over the fact that no one, including the officials, commentators and the Indian players, noticed Australia's tactics of altering with the ball. "Firstly, I would clap for those watching the match from commentary box, and the umpires?

Australia clearly played with the ball and no one is talking about it. No batter is wondering 'What is happening?' The biggest example is batters getting bowled while leaving the ball.

cricket Australia Cricket Team Ball Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Steve Smith Virat Kohli Basit Ali Australia India Pakistan county Scott

Former India coach Ravi Shastri on Sunday sounded skceptical about the possibility of players getting extended gap after the IPL or practice games ahead of future WTC final matches unless there is a change in thought by all the stakeholders. After India suffered a huge 209-run defeat against Australia at the Oval, head coach Rahul Dravid said arriving in England at least two weeks earlier and playing some side matches would have been ideal for the team ahead of the big game. However, Shastri did not buy into the idea and put the onus on the players to make a choice.

WTC Final - 'Not Just Going To Get A Hundred'...": Shastri's Massive Prediction About Kohli

A focussed Virat Kohli stood between Australia and World Test Championship mace as India required another 280 runs at the end of play on Saturday to create history on what promises to be an intriguing final day of the summit clash. Kohli was batting on 44 off 60 balls and had Ajinkya Rahane (20 batting) in company during a stand of 71 for the fourth wicket as India ended the fourth day on 164 for 3 in pursuit of a world record chase of 444. Kohli, who was dismissed for mere 14 runs in his first innings, seemed much more better in the crease during his ongoing knock.

IND vs AUS, WTC Final, Day 4: Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Keep India In Hunt; Rohit Sharma And Co. Need 280 To Beat Australia

Virat Kohli remained undefeated on 44 as India reached 164 for 3 at stumps on fourth day after Australia set a huge 444-run target in the final of the World Test Championship on Saturday. Kohli and first innings hero Ajinkya Rahane (20 batting) added 71 runs for the fourth wicket as India need to score 280 runs in 90 overs on the final day. Shubman Gill (18), skipper Rohit Sharma (43) and Cheteshwar Pujara (27) were the Indian batters dismissed.

Watch: Shubman Gill's Contentious Dismissal That Had The Internet Abuzz During WTC Final

Australia set India a record 444-run target on a tricky pitch after Alex Carey propped up their second innings total to 270 for eight before declaring midway into the afternoon session. India kept things tight in the morning but Carey (66 not off 105) and Mitchell Starc (51 off 47) showed aggressive intent to share a 93-run stand off 120 balls for the seventh wicket. They collected 69 valuable runs off 87 balls before Pat Cummins declared the innings after his own dismissal.

Shubman Gill Out Or Not Out? Internet Erupts Over Star's Contentious Catch In WTC Final. Video

After Australia set India a record 444-run target on a tricky pitch at the World Test Championship final at The Oval on Saturday, there was huge uproar on social media over the dismissal of Shubman Gill. India started the humongous chase on a strong footing, but at the stroke of tea, Scott Boland got one to bounce little extra from length and it flew from ball the shoulder of Gill's bat only to be lapped up by a diving Cameron Green at gully. It was the second time in the game that Green took a screamer though replay suggested it was a close call with the ball very close to the ground.

WTC Final, India vs Australia: What Is The Highest Successful Chase In Tests?

India have been set a daunting 444-run target by Australia in the final of the World Test Championship final at The Oval on Saturday. Australia declared the second innings on 270/8. If India chased down the target, it will be the highest-ever successful chase in the history of Test cricket. Before this match, the highest successful chase happened in 2003 when West Indies chased down a 418-run target against Australia. The highest successful run chase by India happened in 1976 when the team chased down a 403-run target against West Indies.