It isn’t often that we see a controversy-free series between Indian and Australian teams Down Under. On multiple occasions, Indian teams have come across some bizarre acts in Australia, especially in red-ball matches. As the India A team took on Australia A in the second unofficial Test in Melbourne, a bizarre incident took place. Australian batter Marcus Harris didn’t move despite what seemed to be a clear caught behind. As the umpire turned down the strong appeal and gave the decision in the favour of the batter, there wasn’t much the Indians could do as the DRS option wasn’t available.

Facing India A off-spinner Tanush Kotian, Harris seemed to have been caught comfortably at first slip, prompting even celebrations from the Indian team. Though the players were convinced that Kotian was out, the umpire didn’t raise his finger, leaving the touring team absolutely shattered.

The absence of DRS in the unofficial Test series left the Indians with no other option but to accept the on-field umpire’s call.

With the caught-behind chances ruled out, it was also questioned whether Harris would’ve been out LBW, if he had in fact not edged the delivery from Kotian. But, with the ball pitching outside leg, LBW was also ruled out. Later, Harris seemed to have told Kotian that the ball had hit his back leg. But, replays confirmed that the ball had hit the front pad, hence raising suspicion of whether Harris actually knew what had happened.

The close-in fielders, including KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, were confident of Harris’ dismissal earlier but looked befuddled when the decision came in the batting side’s favour. Here’s the video:

#MarcusHarris survives a huge appeal from #TanushKotian, and that decision turns the tide in Australia A’s favor!

He went on to score crucial 74 runs, putting his team in the driver’s seat!

Day 2 #AUSAvINDAOnStar | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1 & Star Sports 1 HD pic.twitter.com/tVpwFWfibP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 8, 2024

“Externally, obviously this game was getting built up a lot, which is fair enough,” Harris sa

Marcus Harris is one of the top contenders to open for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy alonside Usman Khawaja. Harris, who hit 74 runs against India A on Friday, feels he is ready to deliver on the big stage.

“I feel like I’ve been batting well, but so have lots of people. If I get called upon, I feel like I’m ready to go — and if I don’t, then so be it,” he said.

The ongoing unofficial series between India A and Australia A was marred by a ball-tampering controversy last week. In the unofficial first Test in Mackay, the India A players had to deal with ball tampering allegations after the on-field umpires changed the ball used by them overnight. After taking three early wickets overnight, the India A players were visibly disappointed, and were seen arguing with umpire Shawn Craig, about the ball given to resume play. While India A lost the match, former Australia captain David Warner had also questioned the decision to change the ball in the morning.

On the decision to change the ball, the umpire alleged India A of altering the condition of the cherry. 

“When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play. No more discussion; let’s play. This is not a discussion,” the umpire was heard as saying on air.

However, Cricket Australia (CA) squashed all the allegations against the India A players, saying that the ‘ball was changed due to deterioration’.

In the ongoing 2nd unofficial Test, the India A players once again caught the attention for a ball-related incident.

In a viral video, the players can be seen having a chat with umpire, informing him about something on the ball.

The commentators suggested that the substance on the ball could be either mud or white paint.

Pacer Prasidh Krishna, in general, looked a bit agitated during the chat with the umpire.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran failed to leave a mark yet again as India A were reduced to 73/5 at the end of day two’s play in the second four-day game against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Previously, Australia A managed to take a 62-run lead, thanks to opener Marcus Harris making 74 in their total of 223. For India A, fast-bowler Prasidh Krishna took a four-fer while pacer Mukesh Kumar picked three wickets.

In their second innings, India A were in trouble yet again as they went from 31/1 to 56/5. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel will have to stage a rescue act for India A, who lead by 11 runs at the end of day two. Jurel is unbeaten on 19 while Nitish Kumar Reddy is nine not out.

(With ANI Inputs)

Sent to Australia, as part of the India A team, KL Rahul hasn’t done his reputation much good since arriving Down Under. Opening the batting, KL Rahul was dismissed for just 10 runs in 44 balls in the second unofficial Test in Melbourne. The batter was expected to deliver, having been dismissed for just 4 runs in 4 balls in the first innings of the same match. Up against spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, however, Rahul made an absolute mess as he directed the ball onto the stumps in a bizarre manner.

While Rahul’s form has been a concern for the Indian team for a long time, his application has also come under scrutiny. The Karnataka lad was replaced by Sarfaraz Khan in the second and the third Test against New Zealand. The BCCI selection committee then decided to send him to Australia as part of the India A series, hoping to see him regain his form.

But, the first Test only saw him accumulate 14 runs in two innings, with his latest dismissal producing a facepalm moment. It was probably the most bizarre dismissal of the year. Here’s the video:

“Don’t know what he was thinking!”

Oops… that’s an astonishing leave by KL Rahul #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/e4uDPH1dzz

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024

Earlier, Dhruv Jurel showcased his sound technique and cool temperament while wickets fell like ninepins at the other end in another shoddy batting display by India AJurel (80 off 186 balls), who came to bat in the third over scored nearly half of India A’s paltry first innings total of 161 in 57.1 overs with only other batter to cross 20-run mark was Devdutt Padikkal (26).

Veteran KL Rahul (4), opening the batting, done in by a peach of a delivery from Scott Boland (1/51 in 15 overs).

What stood out during the day was Jurel’s composure and ability to play late, using soft hands.

When there was extra bounce, he would quickly loosen his bottom hand grip to ensure that the ball didn’t go to slip or gully region.

He judged the length perfectly and the flicked six off Boland was a treat to watch.

While Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper batter, Jurel’s ability to leave deliveries on length should put him in a better position than Sarfaraz Khan in the middle-order batter role.

It was also the day when one got an indication that India senior team might bank on Rahul’s experience of opening the innings if Rohit Sharma skips a match.

However, Boland got him with a perfectly pitched up delivery that straightened to take his outside edge.

With PTI Inputs

File photo of Michael Neser.© X/@ABsay_ek

The recent India A vs Australia A warm-up match made a lot of noise due to ball-tampering allegations against the visiting team. During the match, the umpires informed India A players that the ball has been changed as it was tampered with. Umpire Shawn Craig brought the development to Indian players’ notice during the first unofficial Test. In a statement, Cricket Australia said that the ball had to be changed “due to deterioration”, while both the managers and the captains were informed of the decision before the start of the day’s play.  

Now Fox Cricket, has released a video of the exact stump mic conversation. 

Here’s how it went

Shawn Craig: When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion. Let’s play. This is not a discussion.

Ishan Kishan: So we are going to play with this ball?

Craig: You’re playing with that ball.

Ishan: That’s a very stupid decision.

Craig: Excuse me. You will be on report for dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball.

Kishan: Thank you!

Following that, a discussion took place in the Fox Cricket panel. The panel agreed that the way the Indian players showed dissent proved the ‘might and force of India’ in world cricket.  

David Warner‘s wife, Candice, was also part of the discussion. She said, “It just goes to show the power of India and how strong they are. A lot of these umpires want to be part of the IPL.”

One of the panelists then added: “India run the game. Every dollar that is raised in cricket, is raised by India. This change over the last few decades has been extraordinary.”

According to a report in The Indian Express, a player, requesting anonymity, denied tampering allegations, suggesting a “nail from the sideboards may have brushed the ball.”

According to Cricket Australia’s code of conduct, players involved in the ball tampering incident could be handed bans if the team is found to have intentionally changed the condition of the ball.

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

“Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as unfair,” Cricket Australia’s code of conduct reads.

After the controversy spiralled up, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying, the ball change happened “due to deterioration.”

India A vs Australia A live streaming, 2nd Unofficial Test live telecast© BCCI

Former Indian cricket team spinner Anil Kumble was left surprised by BCCI’s decision to cancel the practice game ahead of the first Test match against Australia in Perth starting November 22. The Indian cricket team was going to play a practice match against India A but following the Test series whitewash against New Zealand, the BCCI decided to scrap the encounter. During a discussion on JioCinema, Kumble said that the practice match would have ideal preparation for Rohit Sharma and Co before adding that such match practice cannot be achieved by just net sessions.

“I’m a bit surprised that India don’t have a practice match going into the first Test because that would have been an ideal preparation. No matter how much you practice in the nets, going out in the middle and facing a few bowlers in the match is totally different,” he said.

Right-handed batter KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Dhurv Jurel are on their way to link up with the India A squad ahead of their second four-day game against Australia A, set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7.

Sources told IANS that Rahul and Jurel left for Melbourne on Sunday night after the third Test ended at the Wankhede Stadium, which India lost by 25 runs to New Zealand and suffer a 3-0 series defeat.

As per the sources, Rahul and Jurel will join the India ‘A’ squad by Tuesday, and get to play in the second four-day game, with an eye to give them some game time before linking up with the main Test team to prepare for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, starting on November 22 in Perth. It will be followed by games in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney till January 7, 2025.

Rahul played three Tests in the Indian home season, with his last game coming via the hosts’ series opener against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After making scores of 0 and 12 in that game, where India lost by eight wickets, he didn’t feature in remainder of the series.

On the other hand, Jurel didn’t get a game to play in the five Tests India played at home, though he did get to feature as a substitute wicketkeeper in the first Test at Bengaluru after Rishabh Pant hurt his knee while being on keeping duties.

The first four-day game saw India A, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, suffer a heavy seven-wicket defeat at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland, with left-handed batters B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal along with pacer Mukesh Kumar being the standout performers.

(With IANS inputs)

The fire-works have already started even before the senior Indian cricket team has landed in Australia. The India vs Australia series is often considered one of the most marquee series and tempers often fly high in the contest. Currently, India A is touring Australia with players like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy (both part of the main squad), Ishan Kishan in the team. And, the India A team has been accused of ‘ball tampering’ during the practice match against Australia A. 

Ahead of the start of the day’s play on Sunday, the match officials informed India A players that the ball has been changed as it was tampered with. Umpire Shawn Craig brought the development to Indian players’ notice during the first unofficial Test. He said: “When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play.”

India A’s wicket-keeper batter for the match, Ishan Kishan fumed at the umpire’s call and called it a “stupid decision”.

In a statement, Cricket Australia said that the ball had to be changed “due to deterioration”, while both the managers and the captains were informed of the decision before the start of the day’s play. 

Now, according to a report in The Indian Express, a player, requesting anonymity, denied tampering allegations, suggesting a “nail from the sideboards may have brushed the ball.”

According to Cricket Australia’s code of conduct, players involved in the ball tampering incident could be handed bans if the team is found to have intentionally changed the condition of the ball.

“Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as unfair,” Cricket Australia’s code of conduct reads.

After the controversy spiralled up, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying, the ball change happened “due to deterioration

India A’s first-innings batting collapse came back to haunt them as Australia A nosed ahead of the visitors after being set a target of 225 on the third day of the first ‘Unofficial Test’ at Mackay in Australia on Saturday. The home team was 139 for three at stumps, needing another 86 runs for victory as the Indian bowlers could not get enough wickets to put pressure on the Australians in their second essay. Skipper Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster were batting on 47 and 19, respectively, at the close of play.

McSweeney, one of the top contenders to bag the vacant opener’s slot in the Australian team for the marquee Test series against India, forged an unbroken partnership of 54 runs for the fourth wicket along with Webster after Australia A slipped to 85 for three.

India were all out for 312 in their second innings, a far better batting display than their forgettable outing on the first day, when they crumbled for 107.

Resuming the day on 96, Sai Sudharsan (103) duly completed his century but Devdutt Padikkal fell for 88, adding only eight runs to his overnight total of 80 after having stitched a partnership of 196 runs for the third wicket with the former.

India started the day on 208 for two.

The Australian bowlers, led by pacer Fergus O’Neill (4/55) and off-spinner Todd Murphy (3/77), fought back by taking the two big wickets in quick succession and after that, the visiting batters did not show enough application to stretch their lead.

Sudharsan was the first to go, after attempting an expansive cover drive off the bowling of Murphy.

Padikkal was trapped in front of the wicket by Murphy 13 balls later after the batter went on the backfoot to tackle the off-spinner.

Flamboyant keeper-batter Ishan Kishan walked into the middle and he looked in the mood as he played some impressive shots, including pulling O’Neill for a six.

However, Ishan got out soon, caught at second slip by Cameron Bancroft off the bowling of O’Neill. Ishan made 32 off 58 balls during his stay in the middle in which he was dropped when on 21.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (17) also got a reprieve but he threw away his wicket by driving a low full toss by Beau Webster back to the bowler as India A stretched their lead to 199 runs.

Fast bowler Navdeep Saini chipped in 18 runs as India A’s lead went past 220.

Rising youngsters Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal struck fighting fifties after Mukesh Kumar’s searing six-wicket haul to put India A in command with a 120-run lead against Australia A on day two of their first ‘Unofficial Test’ in Mackay on Friday. Mukesh stole the show, claiming 6/46 to help India A restrict Australia A to 195 in their first innings but despite the Bengal seamer’s heroic efforts, the hosts secured a crucial 88-run lead. The visitors had scored 107 in their first essay.

India A once again suffered a jittery start in their second innings with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (5) and fellow opener Abhimanyu Easwaran (12) getting out cheaply to have India down to 30/2 in 8.5 overs.

Gaikwad, who fell for a golden duck in the first innings, this time nicked Fergus O’Neill to second slip where Cameron Bancroft took a low catch.

While Easwaran, who had notched up four consecutive first-class centuries to earn a spot in the senior team as cover for skipper Rohit Sharma for the upcoming Test series against Australia, once again recorded a single-digit score, this time getting run out while backing up for Sai Sudharsan.

But thereafter Sudharsan and Padikkal showed fine temperament and soaked the pressure on the bouncy pitch to produce an unbroken 178-run stand for the third wicket to help India seize control.

Sudharsan hit nine boundaries in his 185-ball 96, while Padikkal was unbeaten on 80 from 167 balls, scoring five fours.

Padikkal played a patient yet composed knock, working the ball around for quick singles and capitalising on loose deliveries to reach his fifty.

At the other end, Sudharsan exhibited his range of shots, particularly adept at dispatching anything short, cutting and pulling with precision.

His well-timed boundaries, including a powerful pull past square leg and a fluent cover drive, allowed him to reach his own half-century as they took the team past 200.

India A now have an overall lead of 120 runs with two more days left in the four-day fixture.

The second and final unofficial Test is scheduled in Melbourne from November 7.

Earlier resuming at 99/4 on Day 2, overnight batters Nathan McSweeney (39) and Cooper Connolly (37) added 51 runs for the fifth wicket, the match’s first fifty-run stand.

However, Mukesh who bagged two wickets on the opening day, once again broke the partnership by dismissing Connolly.

Josh Philippe became Mukesh’s fourth victim, while Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed captain McSweeney, leaving Australia A reeling at 136/7 in 47.4 overs.

A frustrating 41-run stand for the eighth wicket between Todd Murphy (33) and O’Neill (13) was finally broken when Prasidh Krishna claimed the latter en route to his third scalp.

Mukesh rounded off his superb performance by completing his five-wicket haul with Brendan Doggett’s wicket and then adding Todd Murphy as his sixth, wrapping up Australia A’s innings.