IPL commissioner looking into the ball tampering scandal

The world has been shocked by Australia’s ball tampering incident in the ongoing 3rd Test against South Africa at the Newlands.

Video footage of Bancroft tampering with the ball and later Smith and Bancroft addressing the media and accepting the ‘crime’ have raised serious questions over the integrity of all Australian players, but especially that of David Warner and Steve Smith.

In the post match press conference, Steve Smith told the media that the ball tampering move was pre-meditated and was initiated by the leadership group, which in all probability involved Warner and Smith(being the vice-captain and captain of the Australian side).

The ICC has already announced its verdict, handing Smith a one match ban. Bancroft one the other hand has just been fined 75% of his match fee.

With the IPL set to begin in 3 days, and Warner and Smith being the leaders of SRH and RR respectively, there has been some muted debate about whether they would actually be allowed to play in the IPL, after having gone against the spirit of the game in South Africa.

Rajeev Shukla, the IPL commissioner has addressed the issue, taking to Twitter to update all the onlookers about how the IPL would deal with the accused Australians.

“On ball tampering issue, Ipl will wait for the decision of ICC and will act accordingly,” Shukla tweeted.

While the ICC investigation has come to an end, Cricket Australia will carry out their own investigation and then decide the future of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

Cricket fans all over the world believe that Smith should be sacked from his captaincy duties and that strict punishments should be forced down the throats of Warner and Bancroft as well.

We’ll have to wait and see how Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals approach the situation.