IND vs AUS: Team India informs usage of pain relief ointment by Ravindra Jadeja amidst controversy

The Indian team management, including Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, informed the match referee Andy Pycroft about the usage of a pain-relieving cream by the left-arm spinner amidst a ball-tampering row on social media. The debate picked up after Jadeja was seen vigorously rubbing a substance onto his left index finger during his bowling routine.

The footage of Ravindra Jadeja wiping an unidentified substance off the back of fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s hand and rubbing it on his left index finger caused an uproar in the media. There were suggestions that included queries from former cricketers on whether Jadeja was using the substance to alter the condition of the ball. 

However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has informed match referee Andy Pycroft that the left-arm spinner was using a pain-relieving ointment on his index finger, according to ESPNcricinfo. Reports claim that Pycroft had queried the Indian skipper and Jadeja after watching the controversial footage of an alleged ball-tampering incident.

At the time of the incident, the Indian bowling ace had already dismissed the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and Steve Smith. The left-arm spinner was in his 16th over of the day when the much-maligned incident took place and it is normal for a spinner to suffer calluses from gripping the ball. 

He’s probably got a blister or cut on that finger: Michael Clarke

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke gave his opinion on the instance and felt that the Indian spinner did not do anything unjust. However, he felt that Jadeja should have handed the ball to the umpire before applying the ointment on his finger to avoid any kind of allegations. 

“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 stood in front of the umpire while he was putting it on his finger. 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,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

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