Understanding Sandpaper in Cricket
In cricket, players aim to alter the condition of the ball to gain an advantage, usually to help bowlers achieve more swing. While shining one side of the ball using sweat or saliva is allowed, using external objects to tamper with the ball is illegal. Sandpaper, a rough abrasive material, has become infamous in the cricketing world due to its involvement in some of the most controversial ball-tampering incidents.
Recent Sandpaper Controversy: India vs Australia 2025
The sandpaper debate resurfaced during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah faced accusations from Australian fans who claimed he used sandpaper after a video circulated showing something falling from his shoe. However, it was clarified that the object was merely padding inside his shoe, commonly used by fast bowlers.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, stepping in as captain due to Bumrah’s injury, reignited the crowd’s memory of the 2018 scandal by emptying his pockets and making a sandpaper gesture after Steve Smith’s dismissal. This bold taunt drew a mix of reactions from fans, with some applauding Kohli’s mind games and others criticizing the provocation.
Key Moments:
- Bumrah’s video allegation clarified as shoe padding.
- Kohli’s sandpaper gesture after Steve Smith’s wicket.
- Australia’s struggle in the match despite early dominance.
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The 2018 Sandpaper Scandal: A Dark Chapter in Australian Cricket
The most infamous sandpaper incident occurred in March 2018, during a Test match between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town. Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera trying to rub the ball with a small yellow object, which turned out to be sandpaper. During the press conference, then-captain Steve Smith admitted that the team’s leadership group, including David Warner, had discussed tampering to achieve reverse swing.
Consequences of the 2018 Scandal:
| Player | Punishment | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | 1-year ban, stripped of captaincy | Returned to international cricket in 2019 |
| David Warner | 1-year ban, lifetime captaincy ban | Remains barred from holding leadership roles |
| Cameron Bancroft | 9-month ban | Struggled to regain a stable place in the team |
Cricket Australia faced severe backlash from fans and the media, leading to significant changes in team leadership. Tim Paine was appointed as the new Test captain with the goal of rebuilding the team’s integrity.
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Other Notable Ball-Tampering Incidents in Cricket History
Ball-tampering has been a recurring issue in cricket. Here are some notable past incidents:
| Year | Incident | Details |
| 1994 | Michael Atherton fined for using dirt on the ball | England vs South Africa |
| 2004 | Rahul Dravid caught applying a cough lozenge to the ball | India vs Zimbabwe |
| 2010 | Shahid Afridi caught biting the ball | Pakistan vs Australia |
ICC Rules on Ball-Tampering
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), any attempt to alter the condition of the ball using an external object is considered illegal. Players found guilty of ball-tampering face fines, suspensions, and level-2 or level-3 charges, depending on the severity of the offense.
Recent Changes: Post the 2018 scandal, ICC and various cricket boards have tightened their regulations on ball-tampering. Enhanced camera surveillance and stricter penalties have been implemented to curb such practices.
The Ongoing Debate on Sandpaper in Cricket
While the use of sandpaper in cricket has led to significant controversies, it also highlights the intense pressure players face at the highest level. The 2018 Cape Town incident remains one of the darkest moments in cricket’s history, but recent events like the Kohli-Bumrah episode show that the debate is far from over.
Moving forward, cricket boards and players must work together to uphold the spirit of the game and ensure fair play.
FAQs:
Q1: What is sandpaper used for in cricket?
A: Sandpaper is illegally used by players to roughen one side of the ball, helping bowlers achieve reverse swing.
Q2: What happened in the 2018 sandpaper scandal?
A: Australian players Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were caught tampering with the ball using sandpaper during a Test against South Africa. They faced bans and severe criticism.
Q3: How did Virat Kohli reference the sandpaper scandal recently?
A: During the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli made a sandpaper gesture after Steve Smith’s dismissal, reigniting memories of the 2018 scandal.
