Paine, Vaughan fuel debate around Jadeja interaction

Oliver Caffrey | February 10, 2023

Former Australia captain Tim Paine has ignited a debate after describing an on-field interaction between star India spinner Ravi Jadeja and teammate Mohammed Siraj as “interesting”.

Broadcast vision captured Jadeja taking something out of Siraj’s hand during day one of the first Test between India and Australia in Nagpur on Thursday.

After the exchange with Siraj, Jadeja then rubbed his hands and left index finger around the ball with an unidentified substance.

AAP has confirmed India’s team management spoke with ICC match referee Andy Pycroft after the day’s play, telling the official Jadeja was applying ointment to a sore finger.

Jadeja, India captain Rohit Sharma and the team’s manager were shown a clip of the incident, which took place when Australia were 5-120.

It is not uncommon for spinners to suffer calluses from gripping the ball, especially after not playing regularly.

This is Jadeja’s first Test since July after undergoing knee surgery.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke said he believed the Indian team’s explanation but argued Jadeja should have told the umpire what he was up to.

“He should have given the ball to the umpire and stood in front of the umpire while he was putting it on his finger,” Clarke told Big Sports Breakfast.

“I don’t look at that and think it’s a thing. I just wish he didn’t have the ball in his hand.

“If he chucks the ball to the umpire and does that, I don’t think there’s any comment made.”

Paine, who quit as Australia’s Test skipper in November 2021, replied to a Twitter user on Thursday asking what he thought of the footage with the word “interesting”.

Clips of the incident went viral on social media, with former England captain Michael Vaughan also having a say.

“What is it he is putting on his spinning finger? Never ever seen this …”, Vaughan wrote on Twitter.

Jadeja proved the key man on day one, starring with figures of 5-47 to put India in the box seat after a commanding opening day of the Border-Gavaskar series.

AAP has contacted the International Cricket Council for comment.

Under the ICC’s Test conditions, players are banned from using an artificial substance on the ball.