Responding sharply to former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s accusations of ball tampering by Team India during the Super 8 match against Australia, skipper Rohit Sharma emphasised that if it won’t reverse swing here, then where it will, as the Men in Blue are not playing in conditions like those in Australia or England.
Rohit’s remarks followed Inzamam’s assertion that it’s unlikely for the ball to reverse swing as early as in the 15th over of the game, hinting at suspicions that “serious work had been done” on the ball.
“Arshdeep Singh, when he was bowling the 15th over, the ball was reversing. Is it too early (for reverse swing) with the new ball? This means the ball was ready for reverse swing by the 12th or the 13th over. Umpires should keep their eyes open (to spot) these things…If it was Pakistani bowlers (reverse swinging the ball) this would have been a big issue. We know reverse swing very well and if Arshdeep can come in the 15th over and start reversing the ball, it means some serious work had been done before,” Inzamam had said on Pakistani news channel.
Addressing the media, ahead of India’s semifinal clash against England, to be played on Thursday, Rohit said: “What can I say. Don’t you see the rough surfaces and the heat here? This isn’t Australia or England. Here the conditions will result in the ball reverse swinging in 12-15 overs. It’s happening for all teams and not us alone. Sometime people need to open their mind and think”.
Not only Inzamam, but former player Saleem Malik also suggested that officials often overlook issues when it comes to India.
“Inzy, I always say this, eyes are kept shut when it comes to some teams, and India is one of those teams. I remember in Zimbabwe, when Wasim (Akram) was bowling, he made it wet, and we all were surprised at it; as in how come one side was wet, and when I went and complained I was fined quite heavily,” added Saleem Malik.
India’s 26-run victory over Australia played a crucial role in eliminating the Australian side from the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
After avenging their 2023 ODI World Cup defeat against Australia with an impressive victory, India now aim for redemption against England as they meet in the rain-threatened T20 World Cup semi-finals at Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday.