Following England’s defeat at the Indian cricket team’s hands, British tabloid “The Daily Mail” brought the serious allegation of ball tampering against Indian captain Virat Kohli. The International Cricket Council is yet to charge the Indian skipper. The Daily Mail published the accusatory article this Tuesday, along with pictures and a video of Kohli purportedly tampering with the ball during the first test in Rajkot.
As per The Daily Mail, Kohli used a mint to sweeten his saliva before wetting his finger and shining the ball. The broadcast cameras caught the occurrence on tape. Virat, who finished 49 not out on the final day of the drawn test match, can be seen putting his right hand in his mouth and the rubbing the ball with the consequent spittle.
“The 28-year-old can be seen rubbing his fingers in his mouth, inside of which is a sweet. He then appears to shine one side of the ball.” The Daily Mail added.
South African captain Faf du Plessis was recently found guilty of ball tampering. After television footage appeared, Du Plessis was charged by ICC chief executive David Richardson. Mr Du Plessis was caught applying an artificial substance to shine the ball during the 4th day’s play in the second Test against Australia in Hobart.
Skeptics claim the allegations are little more than the losing side crying foul. The Daily Mail conceded to the fact that Kohli’s actions were not brought up by either the umpire or the match referee post-game, but not without adding that Plessis’ actions went unnoticed at first as well.
