India vs Australia 2023

'Wish I could give you an ointment to heal your wounds' - Fans react as Ravindra Jadeja gets fined 25% of his match fees for using soothing cream

Indian all rounder Ravindra Jadeja was fined 25% of his match fees for using soothing cream without umpire's consent.

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Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja

Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja (Source: Twitter)

Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja (Source: Twitter)

Team India have handed Australia a crushing defeat in the first Test at Nagpur as they registered a victory by a mammoth margin of an innings and 132 runs. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the star performer for India who picked up 7 wickets with the ball and also scored a crucial 70-run knock to help India go 1-0 up in the four-match series. However, following India’s emphatic win, Jadeja has been fined 25% of his match fees.

The 34-year-old was also awarded a demerit point by the Apex Cricket Body for applying a soothing cream on his index finger without informing the on-field umpires. The incident took place during Day 1 of the India vs Australia first Test when the camera showed that Jadeja was handed over a substance from Mohammed Siraj and later rubbed it onto the index finger of his left hand. The incident immediately hogged the limelight with the Australian media accusing Jadeja of ball tampering.

However, Apex Cricket Body made it completely clear that the cream was used for completely medical reasons. “Ravindra Jadeja was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the Apex Cricket Body Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game,” the Apex Cricket Body said on its official website.

"India team management had explained that the finger spinner was applying the cream to a swelling on the index finger of his bowling hand. This was done without asking for permission from the on-field umpires," the statement added.

The cream was not applied as an artificial substance

“In reaching his decision to sanction the player along with the Level 1 sanction he imposed, the Match Referee was satisfied that the cream was applied to the finger purely for medical purposes. The cream was not applied as an artificial substance to the ball and consequently, it did not change the condition of the ball, which would have been in breach of clause 41.3 of the Apex Cricket Body playing conditions – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its Condition,” the website further stated.

Coming back to the match, Australia were bundled out for 91 on Day 3 on the back of a five-wicket haul from Ravichandran Ashwin. Earlier, India posted a total of 400 runs in their first innings courtesy of a century by Rohit Sharma, 84 by Axar Patel and 70 by Ravindra Jadeja.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Ravindra Jadeja's fine. Here are some of the Tweets:

Ravichandran Ashwin Rohit Sharma Ravindra Jadeja IND vs AUS Axar Patel