Ravichandran Ashwin offers a different take on the ball tampering row

While the Australian team, engulfed neck-deep in a ball-tampering controversy, has received flak from all across the world, Indian Test spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, has a different take on the issue. Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft and David Warner find themselves in the middle of a storm after being caught cheating during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

However, Ravichandran Ashwin believes such a thing could happen in the ‘heat of the moment’. Speaking during an event in Mumbai on Monday, Ashwin offered his opinion on the entire matter. “It’s very difficult sitting at a distance and commenting on what might have happened in the dressing room,” he said.

“These things happen in the heat of the moment,” he said. “I’m not trying to stand for it but the fact remains that (cricket) is entirely tech-driven and you have to be extra careful especially when you are in the public eye and have the responsibility to carry out yourself in the utmost dignified manner as possible.”

He added, “That is one of the disadvantages of technology growing so much…I would say it is literally dictating play in terms of cricket and life for everybody. If technology hadn’t gone this far, we would not be talking about this so much,” as reported by DNA.

Rohit Sharma, who was also present at the event, chose diplomacy and refused to comment on the scandal saying, “I don’t know if it’s relevant for me to comment about that sitting so far away. I don’t know what must have happened there,” he said.

Smith was fined 100 percent of his match fee and handed a one-match-ban while opening batsman Bancroft, who was caught on camera attempting to alter the condition of the ball, was handed three demerit points and a 75 percent fine of his match fee.

Bancroft, however, escaped a ban and is, therefore, free to play in the fourth Test starting in Johannesburg on Friday if selected. David Warner also resigned as vice-captain on Sunday amid shock and disappointment at the conduct of the team back home. Smith has also stepped down as captain of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. However, if reports are to be believed, Cricket Australia are going as far as considering a life-ban for both Warner and Smith.

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