Ball-tampering allegations just to take focus away from series: Kohli

Mohali: Ahead of the third cricket Test against England, India skipper Virat Kohli on Friday trashed a British tabloid’s allegations that he tampered with the ball during the first Test at Rajkot.

Indian skipper ViratKohlihas dismissed ball-tampering claims after a footage emerged of him sucking a mint and shining the ball – following a similar case involving the South African captain.

Asked about “sweetgate” controversy in the series between Australia and South Africa, Woakes replied, “I think they have said that everyone tries to shine the ball…”

Du Plessis was fined 100 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, but was cleared to play the ongoing day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval. I was told five days after it came out. India lead the five-Test series 1-0.

Video footage from South Africa’s series-sealing victory over Australia in Hobart was pored over, and proven, after an ICC hearing, to show Du Plessis applying saliva to the ball while sucking candies.

“Allegations and speculations are something”.

He also says, “though we have not levelled up against India, but we still have chance to bounce back, it is fair match, anything can happen at any time. Forget conditions, we need to play good cricket”, he added.

While skipper Virat Kohli’s aggregate of 248 runs (167 and 81) laid the cornerstone of victory, the contribution of India’s premier all-rounder Ashwin (52 runs and match figures of 8/119) was equally significant. Du Plessis and Cricket South Africa have demanded that the laws about ball tampering and the use of artificial substances to shine the ball should be clearly defined.

The ICC said in a release, “Kohli is now top-ranked in Twenty20 Internationals and has also held the top position in One-Day Internationals, but has never moved above 10th place in Tests. What kind of candies or drinks (can players consume) during the breaks?”

Trevor Bayliss has implied Virat Kohli’s critique of England’s failed bid to save the second Test is little more than mid-series mind games. “As far as we are concerned, none of our players were a part of such activity”, Kumble said.

“I think (Chris) Woakes summed up quite nicely yesterday actually”. Hundreds from Root, Ali, Stokes and Cook set up England’s dominance at Rajkot, Root’s failure to carry on to one in the first innings at Vizag was the big scalp in the collapse that left them with a lot of catching up to do. Having played at the highest level for over 15 years, the legendary spinner do know how “cricketers will continue to chew gum in the times to come”.