Aussie destroyer Ravindra Jadeja fined 25 per cent of his match fee over ‘ointment’ controversy

Ravindra Jadeja had Australia spellbound but the moment from day one where he sparked controversy has cost him dearly.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee after sparking controversy when he applied something to his finger.

In the 46th over Australia’s first innings with Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb at the crease and the Aussies at 5/120, Jadeja came in for his 16th over already sitting with figures of 3/30.

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But the TV broadcast captured Jadeja appearing to either take something off the hand of one of his teammates, or from inside his hand, with his right hand.

He then rubbed his hands and finger near and around the ball though it was uncertain what exactly was happening.

The ICC said the incident would be settled by match officials, with match referee Andy Pycroft clearing Jadeja of any wrongdoing.

But cricket’s governing body has intervened, finding Jadeja guilty of breaching “Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”

Jadeja reportedly admitted the offence and “accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.”

However, the cream was not deemed to have been an artificial substance applied to the ball and purely for medical purposes.

Questions have been asked over what Ravindra Jadeja was doing in this moment.

Former Aussie Test captain Tim Paine and former England captain Michael Vaughan were among the leading cricket experts to raise their eyebrows at the vision, with Vaughan saying he’d “never ever seen that”.

Indian officials had attempted to downplay the moment, saying he was simply “applying pain-relief cream to the index finger of his bowling hand”, according to ESPNcricinfo.

“While the incident triggered debates on social and mainstream media, it is learned that the Australia team had not brought the matter to the attention of the match referee,” the report said.

“According to the playing conditions, the match referee can independently probe such incidents without needing a complaint to be lodged. And under the Laws of Cricket, the bowler needs the umpire’s permission to apply any sort of substance on their hands to ensure the condition of the ball remains unaffected.”

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri blasted the controversy before day two of the Test.

"I have not heard much about it,” Shastri said.

“I have asked two questions. Was there any problem with the Australian team? The answer was ‘no’. Did the match referee come into play? He wad told about it, he cleared everything, matter ends.

“Why are we discussing anybody else? And to be honest, ointment as a reliever, the match referee would have been told if there was any decision to be taken or action, he would have taken it.

“By the way, on this track, you don’t need anything, the ball will turn.”

Former Aussie spinner Brad Hogg agreed with Shastri.

If you look closely, there is a cream on Siraj's hand which stood out clear as day on the TV. Jadeja applied it to his finger, at no stage did he put it on the ball. No need for further discussion. #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/to3xCMMm2a

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 10, 2023

Jadeja had a brilliant Test, taking 5/47 in the first innings, 7/81 for the match and hitting 70 to lead India to an innings and 132 run win.

Originally published as Aussie destroyer Ravindra Jadeja fined 25 per cent of his match fee over ‘ointment’ controversy