- India has been accused of cheating by fans
- Officials have employed strange field tactics.
Furious cricket fans took to social media during the fifth Test to complain that the Indian support staff broke the rules with a blatant fielding tactic.
On several occasions during the decisive fifth Test at the SCG, spectators noticed Indian team officials collecting the ball before it reached the boundary.
The move appears to be a ploy to help conserve the energy of the fielders, so that they do not have to run towards the boundary.
Announcer Jim Maxwell noted that the move also kept the ball in better condition since it didn’t go out of bounds.
However, the tactic has outraged fans.
‘He’s been doing it the entire series. Can you imagine if an Australian coach did this in India? posted a fan on X.
Angry cricket fans have complained that India’s support staff are flouting the rules with a blatant fielding tactic.
Australia chases victory in fifth Test at the SCG on Sunday
‘Why do referees touch the ball?’ questioned another.
‘It’s cheating. It is the job of the fielders to pick up the ball, not the Indian staff.
Meanwhile, Australian coach Andrew McDonald accused India of trying to intimidate teenager Sam Konstas, claiming the ICC had set a benchmark by not punishing tourists.
McDonald revealed on Saturday night that he moved in to check on Konstas’ welfare on Friday night, following his on-field dispute with India captain Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth and decisive Test at the SCG.
Of particular concern to McDonald was the fact that several Indian players ran to celebrate in Konstas’s face after Bumrah dismissed Usman Khawaja on the last ball of the first day.
The incident came after Virat Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee in Melbourne on Boxing Day after making unnecessary contact with the opener between overs.
When asked if he felt the need to talk to Konstas about the on-field exchange with Bumrah, McDonald said he only did so to check on the 19-year-old.
“My conversation with him was just about if he was OK,” McDonald said.
The stage is set for an entertaining finale to the five-match series
“Clearly the way India celebrated it was quite intimidating. It is clearly within the rules and regulations of the game, as no charges have been filed.
“To have an opposition that invades the non-striker in that way, we have a duty of care to make sure he is okay and in a mental space to go out the next day and perform.”
Asked if he felt India had gone too far in rushing towards Konstas, McDonald suggested a precedent had been set.
“It is clear that it is acceptable because there were no fines or punishments,” he said.
“I’ll leave that to the ICC and Andy Pycroft as the match referee and the referees who are there.
“If they thought it was satisfactory, then I guess that’s the benchmark we’re playing towards.”