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Pat Cummins-led Australian cricket team got the better of India on Sunday, January 5 as they comfortably chased the 162-run target with crucial contributions from the bat of Usman Khawaja (41 off 45), Travis Head (34* off 38) and Beau Webster (39* off 34) on the third day of the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Sydney. However, both teams had their highs and lows in the highly-anticipated series, the third day also had some action unfold in the middle.
In the videos making rounds on social media, India’s acting captain Virat Kohli, who replaced Jasprit Bumrah after he was forced to sit out due to back spasm, was seen teasing the Sydney crowd, reminding them of the sandpaper gate scandal. Virat Kohli’s controversial actions not only reignited the infamous scandal, it further got Steve Smith reminded of the incident which saw him also being involved in it.
Virat Kohli teases Sydney crowd with controversial sandpaper gate scandal
The moment took place during lunch on third day of the Sydney Test. Following Steve Smith’s dismissal, the crowd began to jeer at Virat Kohli for his animated presence on the field. Just at this moment, the Indian stalwart did not hesitate to respond, bringing in the provocative move as he displayed empty pockets to hit out at Aussie fans, thus evoking them of the infamous scandal that took place during Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018.
Watch video of Virat Kohli’s provocative move for jeering Sydney fans:
Speaking of the infamous incident, Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball leading to widespread condemnation and repurcussions for the Australian cricket team. However, cricket Australia imposed bans on Bancroft, along with Steve Smith and David Warner for their involvement in the incident with the former marking his return nine-months later, whereas the other two were sanction for a year.
Additionally, Steve Smith was stripped of captaincy for two years, Warner faced lifetime ban from holding captaincy, which got removed later last year in October.
