Virat Kohli savaged over 'garbage' swipe at Aussies after India accused of 'cheating' in fifth Test

Virat Kohli took a swipe at Australian cricket fans as the Aussies won the fifth Test and series at the SCG on Sunday, reigniting the sandpaper scandal from 2018. India's stand-in captain was seen emptying his pockets and reaching into the front of his pants during the morning session on Sunday - a clear reference to Australia's ball-tampering shame.

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were infamously banned in 2018 when Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball with sandpaper during a Test against South Africa. Cameras caught Bancroft with a piece of sandpaper down the front of his pants and in his pocket.

Kohli's actions appeared to be directed towards fans, who were undoubtedly sledging the Indian star. It's not known what was said to draw Kohli's response, but India were accused of 'cheating' on Saturday. Indian fans loved Kohli's antics, but there were labelled "garbage" and "pathetic" by the Australian cricket community.

Cricket fans accuse India of 'cheating' with 'lazy' tactic

Questions emerged about whether India were breaking the rules on the second day's play. Angry cricket fans took India to task after noticing a support staff member standing just outside the boundary rope on Saturday and picking up the ball before it was technically four.

On a number of occasions a staff member could be seen picking the ball up before it actually hit the boundary and throwing it back to a fielder. It appeared a ploy to save the Indian players' legs and keep them fresher because they didn't have to run all the way from the infield to the boundary to retrieve it.

Speaking in commentary for ABC Radio, veteran broadcaster Jim Maxwell also pointed out that it kept the ball in better condition because it didn't get scuffed up when it hit the boundary, or when it rolled out of the field of play. The tactic certainly did the trick for India in the field, with the tourists managing to bowl Australia out for just 181, allowing them to take a four-run first innings lead.

One fan sent a text to ABC Radio saying: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but do India have 15 fielders? Every time Australia score a boundary there seems to be a nicely-placed support staff to collect and throw the ball back to them. It's been going on all series and no-one wants to talk about it."

Another listener labelled it "lazy" and "not very sporting", asking: "Should fielders have to field boundaries?" On social media, some went as far as to label it "cheating" because it effectively altered the playing conditions and state of the ball unfairly.

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One person wrote: “He’s been doing it all series. Can you imagine if an Aussie trainer did this in India?” Another said: “Not the first time it’s happened as well. It’s cheating. It’s the fielders job to collect the ball not the Indian staff.

While another added: “If support staff touch the ball inside the field of play it should be a five run penalty, probably in addition to a boundary for the shot." And a fourth wrote: "Being in the field should be tiring… having to run to the boundary to collect the ball is part of the game. Should a non competitor field the ball they should have to hand it to a player, not throw it, without stepping on the field."