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Former India opener Aakash Chopra has strongly criticized Inzamam-ul-Haq for his ball-tampering accusations against Team India during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
Inzamam recently claimed on a local news channel that Arshdeep Singh’s ball was reverse-swinging unusually early in the 15th over of India’s Super 8 match against Australia, suggesting foul play and urging umpires to investigate the matter.
Aakash Chopra slams Inzamam-ul-Haq
In a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra supported the Indian team, stating that the ball showed signs of reverse swing for all teams, not just the Indian bowlers.
“Inzamam-ul-Haq sir actually said that the ball was reverse swinging and that it should be checked. The ball was reverse swinging in day games. It was happening for everyone, not only for us, because the matches were being played on extremely dry surfaces,” Chopra said.
“However, he asked how Arshdeep was swinging the ball more, it shouldn’t happen and the umpire should check it. Rohit Sharma replied that people should open their minds and he felt bad about that as well. He said that they shouldn’t be taught as they had started reverse swing. Tell the truth that people used to prepare the ball,” Chopra added.
Following the ball-tampering accusations, Indian captain Rohit Sharma responded strongly to Inzamam’s allegations. Rohit advised the Pakistani legend to broaden his perspective before making such statements. Inzamam countered, asserting that Pakistan pioneered reverse swing and didn’t need lessons on the subject.
‘Did you dig your own grave?’ – Aakash Chopra to Inzamam-ul-Haq
Chopra then questioned Inzamam whether his remarks had come back to haunt him. He cited examples of former Pakistani bowlers in his video and pondered if they had also engaged in the practices Inzamam had alluded to.
“Just think, did you dig your own grave? I feel you have done that because you said the umpires should be vigilant because something was being done to the ball, and it was being prepared, that it was being scratched on one side, or being shined using illegitimate means,” Chopra exclaimed.
“That’s what you are trying to say because why else would the umpires need to keep their eyes on the ball. So you are admitting that when your good bowlers used to do it, the ball was being prepared, and to do that you would either be scratching the ball, applying something, or doing something else that escaped the umpire’s eyes,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.
Despite the controversies surrounding the allegations, India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title for the second time. In the final, they secured a 7-run victory over South Africa, marking their first triumph in this tournament in 17 years.
This victory also ended India’s prolonged drought for an ICC trophy, with their last triumph in an ICC event being the Champions Trophy in 2013.
