Virat Kohli brutally taunts Aussies with sandpaper gesture after Jasprit Bumrah faces false allegations
After the Australian crowd called Jasprit Bumrah a ‘cheat’, accusing him of using sandpaper to gain an unfair advantage in the New Year Test, Virat Kohli exacted the perfect revenge by reminding them of the Kangaroos’ infamous Sandpaper Gate scandal at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). on the 3rd day.
In the viral video, Jasprit Bumrah can be seen removing his shoe and something falls out. Although its exact nature remains uncertain, it appears to be the padding commonly used by fast bowlers to ensure a soft and comfortable landing during their stride.
Virat Kohli reminds Australian fans of ‘Sandpaper Gate’
But Australian media and fans started accusing India’s top pacer of using sandpaper on the fourth day of the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.
Is that #sandpaper in Bumrah’s shoe? #AUSvIND #TestMatch #Cricket pic.twitter.com/05ZMfM3aDc
— Raf Sciezka Pfizer x 3 (@rafSciezka) January 3, 2025
Well, this is interesting 🤔
Is that sandpaper???? #AUSvIND #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/NdYYWm13iJ
— Jonas A Seagal (@JASeagal) January 3, 2025
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Meanwhile, reacting to the uproar on social media, Virat Kohli, who never shies away from a confrontation and for his quirky interaction with the spectators, took a hard shot at the Australian crowd that crossed the line at the SCG on day three.
Virat Kohli hilariously digs into Australian cricket’s dark past
In a fiery display of on-field theatrics, Virat Kohli turned the heat back on the hosts, reminding the Aussies of their infamous ‘Sandpaper Gate’ scandal. India’s right-handed fast bowler Virat Kohli was seen emptying his pockets towards the crowd as he hilariously conveyed his message that he does not carry anything in his pocket to tamper with the ball.
Virat Kohli’s actions spoke louder than words, reviving painful memories of one of the darkest chapters of cricket in Australia. He made the gesture after Steve Smith’s dismissal as India claimed three quick wickets on the third day of the New Year’s Test against Australia in Sydney.
Watch Kohli’s gesture to the Australian fans here:
“What is it about?”#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HwNZXhKW1S
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025
Significantly, Smith was one of three players involved in the Sandpaper Gate scandal in Cape Town. Australia’s Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were exposed for using sandpaper during the Test match against South Africa at Newlands. The incident led to a 12-month ban for all three players from all forms of cricket and even Smith losing his captaincy.
Australia beat India by 6 wickets to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Talking about Day 5 action, Team India were bundled out for 157 runs on Day 3 with Scott Boland taking six wickets for Australia in the second innings at the iconic SCG. Pat Cummins also took three scalps, setting a target of 162 runs for Australia to chase in the last game.
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India got off to a flying start, but without Jasprit Bumrah, they couldn’t trouble Australia’s bowlers as Sam Konstas’ 22, Usman Khawaja’s 41, Travis Head’s unbeaten 34 and Beau Webster’s 39* were enough to take the hosts to a six-wicket win over the tourists in SCG.
Australia achieved the target in just 27 overs, winning the match by 6 wickets to take a 3-1 lead in the five-match Test series. The Australians have finally won the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy after more than a decade under the captaincy of Pat Cummins.
