Twitter Reactions World Test Championship (2021-23)

'Basit bhai iss umar me bhi views ke bhukhe hain' - Fans react as Basit Ali accuses Australia of ball tampering against India in WTC 2023 final

Here's how fans reacted after Basit Ali accused the Australian team of ball tampering against India in WTC 2023 final.

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Rohit Kumar
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Basit Ali and Australian cricket team (Source - Twitter)

Basit Ali and Australian cricket team (Source - Twitter)

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has accused Australia of ball tampering on Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 against India. The Pat Cummins-led team got the Dukes ball to reverse swing only after 15 overs, which allowed them to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara and other batters. The 52-year-old emphasised that the Dukes ball doesn't reverse swing before at least 40 overs.

Notably, Cameron Green outsmarted Pujara with a skilful delivery, while Virat Kohli looked clueless against Mitchell Starc's brutal bouncer. As he eventually went on to explain the full method, Basit criticised the umpires and the pundits for not being able to understand Australia's ball-tampering technique.

"Firstly, I would clap for those watching the match from the commentary box, and the umpires. Australia clearly played with the ball, and no one is talking about it. No batter is wondering, 'What is happening?' The biggest example is batters getting bowled while leaving the ball. Let me give you the evidence too. Until the 54th over when Shami was bowling, the shine was on the outside and the ball moved back into Steve Smith. This is not called reverse swing. Reverse swing is when the shine is on the inside and the ball comes back in," Ali was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Have the umpires gone blind?: Basit Ali

He went on to say that the dismissals of Kohli and Pujara in overs 16 to 18 were unequivocal examples of ball tampering. The ball was replaced during the 18th over of the innings per the directions of umpire Richard Kettleborough after it lost its shape. Ali believes that things began to change for Australia when the fresh ball was taken and the box of replacements arrived, as India fell from 30/2 to 71/4.

“Look at the 16th, 17th and 18th over, the ball on which Virat Kohli got out... look at the shine. Mitchell Starc had the ball in his hand with the shiny end pointing outside but the ball was moving the other way. Jadeja was hitting the ball on the on-side and the ball was flying over point. Have the umpires gone blind? God knows who all are sitting there who can't see such a simple thing," Ali added.

Here's how fans reacted:

Pakistan India vs Australia 2023 WTC