Sydney: India put up a counter-attack through Rishabh Pant as they recovered from the early loss of skipper Ajinkya Rahane to move to 206 for three against Australia at lunch on the fifth day of the third Test here at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The third Test between the two sides has already been marred by some ugly behaviour with pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah subjected to racial slurs by some Australian fans in the stand.
But another incident, caught by the wicket cameras, has stirred fresh controversy in the series.
Following a drinks break, an Australian player, believed to be star batsman Steve Smith, sporting No.49 at the back of his jersey, appeared to have removed the guard marks on the crease before Rishabh Pant came out to bat. Consequentially, Pant had to take guard once again, breaking his concentration.
The video of the incident has since gone viral on social media.
Watch:
After drinks break Aussie comes to shadow bat and scuffs out the batsmen's guard marks.
Rishabh Pant then returns and has to take guard again.#AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #AUSvINDtest pic.twitter.com/aDkcGKgUJC
— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) January 11, 2021
India had lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane early in only the second over of the day. The stand-in India skipper was caught at short leg off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.
However, his dismissal brought in Pant who was promoted ahead of Hanuma Vihari.
The left-handed batsman, who was hit on the elbow in the first innings by Pat Cummins, survived a caught behind chance off Lyon early, and took the attack to Aussies. He was particularly severe on the Aussie off-spinner.
The series is level at 1-1 with the last match to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from January 15.
PNN/Agencies