Former spinner Murali Kartik backs Usman Khawaja in ball-tampering debate
The former Indian bowler questioned Pat Cummins' claim that he was unaware of the 2018 sandpaper incident during the Cape Town Test.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has supported Usman Khawaja's claims regarding the 2018 ball-tampering incident in South Africa, according to the Times of India. Khawaja alleged in his memoir, Sabr, that the entire Australian team, including current Test captain Pat Cummins, was aware of the plan to use sandpaper to alter the ball.
Kartik expressed scepticism regarding the idea that bowlers would be unaware of such a plan. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Kartik said it was difficult to believe bowlers did not know about an action allegedly being carried out for their benefit. He questioned why only three players were held responsible, asking, 'Are we in kindergarten to accept that sort of thing?'
Australia captain Pat Cummins rejected the allegations during a press conference on Friday, calling Khawaja's claims 'complete and utter nonsense' and '100 per cent wrong'.
Former Australian opener David Warner also accused Cricket Australia (CA) of a cover-up. Warner, who served a one-year ban for the incident, claimed the 2018 investigation failed to interview bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, or Nathan Lyon.
Warner stated on Instagram that the investigation appeared to have decided who to blame from the start. The original CA investigation concluded that only Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft knew about the plan, leading to all three being sent home from South Africa.