Shocked & disappointed: Steve Smith breaks silence on allegations of scuffing Rishabh Pant's guard mark

Updated Jan 13, 2021 | 06:15 IST

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith has opened up about the scuffing of Rishabh Pant's guard mark in the 3rd Test at the SCG on Tuesday.

Steve Smith, Australia Cricket Team, India vs Australia, Rishabh Pant,

Batting maestro and former Australian skipper Steve Smith has opened up about the alleged scuffing of Rishabh Pant's guard mark in the 3rd Test at SCG on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: AP

Key Highlights

Former Australian skipper Steve Smith has opened up on the scuffing guard row

Smith was accused of scuffing up the guard mark of Rishabh Pant in the 3rd Test at SCG

Smith was also adjudged the Man of the Match for his batting heroics in the same Test match

Batting maestro and former Australian skipper Steve Smith has finally come forward to clear the air about the scuffing of Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's guard mark in the recently concluded 3rd Test between India and hosts Australia at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Tuesday. The ghost of the Sandpaper gate came knocking at Smith's door as the former Australian skipper was once again accused of resorting to 'cheating' at the highest level of the gentlemen's game.

Smith had courted fresh controversy in the penultimate clash of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as serious allegations were levelled against him for scratching up the guard mark of Pant during India's herculean chase of 407 in the 2nd innings. A day after Smith was bashed by the fans and followers of the game over cheating claims, the premier batsman has reacted to the much-debated scuffing guard row on Tuesday.

Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant's batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana.
But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar. pic.twitter.com/IfttxRXHeM
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2021

The former Australian skipper has revealed that he was 'shocked and disappointed' by the allegations levelled against him. Denying the accusations of gamesmanship in the SCG Test, Smith has blamed his act of shadow practice which apparently stirred up the controversy.

"I have been quite shocked and disappointed by the reaction. It's something I do in games to visualise where we are bowling, how the batter is playing our bowlers and then out of habit I always mark centre," Smith Smith told News Corp after India's thrilling draw against Australia in Sydney. "It's such a shame that this and other events have taken away from what was a great batting performance by India yesterday," the ex-Australian skipper added.