Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who is in Australia these days with the India A team, was involved in a controversy on Sunday (November 3). According to reports in Australian media, he was cautioned that he could face a charge of dissent after an exchange between India A players and umpire Shawn Craig took place during the first unofficial Test.
The incident took place before the start of the fourth day’s play of the first unofficial Test played at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The on-field umpire changed the ball before the start of the day’s play, and his decision didn’t go down well with Indian players. They were seen having an exchange with the umpire.
As per cricket.com.au, during the discussion Craig said, “You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion; let’s play. This is not a discussion; you will be playing with that ball."
Indian stumper Kishan was not pleased with the umpire’s decision, and he took the matter up with Craig, and according to commentators, he was heard saying, “That is a very stupid decision."
Craig was not pleased with Ishan’s behaviour and warned him by saying, “Excuse me, you will be on dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour; it is because of your actions we changed the ball."
India A lost the first unofficial Test against the hosts by 7 wickets on Sunday. The Australia A team rode on captain Nathan McSweeney’s 88 and Beau Webster’s 61 to chase down the target of 225 runs in 75 overs for the loss of just three wickets. The duo added unbeaten 141 runs for the fourth wicket to seal the deal.
It was a forgetful game for Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna, who are part of the Indian team as well for the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Bengal batter Easwaran scored 7 and 12 runs in two innings, Nitish scored 0 and 17. With the ball, he picked up one wicket in the first inning. Praisdh, who is one of the five Indian pacers picked for the much-awaited Test series, finished with figures of 3 for 59 in the first inning and 1 for 27 in the second.
The second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A will be played from November 7 to 10 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
