“India used Vaseline” - Ex-Pakistan cricketer accuses Indian bowlers of ball tampering in Oval Test

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Shabbir Ahmed Khan, who played 10 Tests and 32 ODIs for his nation, took to X (Formerly Twitter) to state his opinion that the Indian bowlers used Vaseline, as he felt that the ball was shining like a new one even in the 80th over on the fifth and final day of the Oval Test.

Notably, the Indian team entered into the five-match Test series on the back of Test retirements from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the tour. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, was quick to announce Shubman Gill as the new Test captain.

Cut to the fifth and final day of the Oval Test, India went on to level the series 2-2, courtesy of the inspirational spells from Mohammed Siraj, who went on to scalp a nine-wicket match haul, winning the player of the match award.

"I think India used Vaseline. After 80 + over, Ball still shine like new, Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine," Shabbir Ahmed Khan wrote on X (Formerly Twitter). 

https://x.com/ShabbirTestCric/status/1952329179464118512

However, the ex-cricketer received a strong response from the Indian cricket fraternity, who slammed him left and right for bringing out a new conspiracy theory. 

On the other hand, former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar heaped praise on the Indian seamer Mohammed Siraj, who bowled 185 overs in the five-Test series, scalping 23 wickets to end the tour as the leading wicket-taker.

"Unbelievable. Superb approach. I love his (Siraj) attitude. I love the spring in his legs. For a fast bowler to be constantly in your face like that, no batsman will like it. And the approach he maintained until the end on the last day; I could also hear commentators saying he bowled around 90mph (145kph) on the last day, after having bowled more than 1,000 deliveries in the series. That shows his courage and big heart," Sachin Tendulkar stated in a video on his Reddit account.

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