SH*T News: Ravi Shastri supports Cameron Bancroft, says scratching the ball is legal

In a shocking turn of events, the Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has come out in support of the Australian opener Cameron Bancroft who is facing the wrath of the cricket fans after being caught on camera scratching the ball during the third test match against South Africa in Cape Town.

According to Shastri, scratching the ball is perfectly legal and people should rather be sympathetic towards Bancroft than being harsh on him. “Well it’s very easy to say don’t scratch it, but it’s practically not possible. You feel a strong urge and you have to do it, else you can’t win the game because you won’t be able to focus properly.”

Given the boys’ complete freedom to scratch the ball

“I have given my boys complete freedom to go out there and scratch the ball without any fear. I don’t want any sort of indecision on the ground. If you feel like doing it, just do it and do it with full passion and aggression.” said Shastri.

The 55-year old who was appointed the coach of the Indian team after the Champions Trophy last year admitted that he himself also scratches the ball at times in the dressing room and he doesn’t regret it.

“Yes I do it and why should I regret? Tell me a man who hasn’t done it at some stage of his life. You can’t help it and I won’t say sorry for something which is beyond my control.” Shastri added.

Shastri’s statements have triggered a storm in the cricketing world with the past cricketers claiming that Shastri is lying and they never felt the need to scratch the ball. A former fast bowler who played 2 test matches for India and is now working as a hindsight expert for a news channel slammed Shastri for being disrespectful to the ball.

“Shastri is a disgrace. He should understand that the ball is earning him his bread and butter and he should show some respect. How can he scratch the ball?” said the cricketer on the condition of anonymity. He was also quoted as saying, “We never did it. Our balls were so neat and clean”

These statements might land Shastri in trouble as the BCCI “leadership group” is now likely to take a strict action on him.

Stay Tuned for further updates from SH*T News sources.