Kuttu Ka Aanta

Steve Smith, the Australian cricketer, was banned from international and domestic cricket for his involvement in a ball-tampering scandal during a Test match against South Africa in March 2018. The incident took place during the third Test match of Australia's tour of South Africa in Cape Town.

Here's a brief overview of what happened:

1. 
   

   Ball-Tampering Incident: During the third Test match, Australian opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the condition of the cricket ball, which is against the laws of the game. The sandpaper was used to rough up one side of the ball, which can affect its movement through the air and give the bowling team an unfair advantage.

   
   


2. 
   

   Involvement of Players: It was later revealed that Steve Smith, the captain of the Australian cricket team at the time, along with vice-captain David Warner and other players, were aware of the plan to tamper with the ball. Smith admitted to knowing about the plan but claimed he did not take appropriate action to stop it.

   
   


3. 
   

   Sanctions and Punishments: In the aftermath of the scandal, Cricket Australia conducted an investigation and handed out severe punishments to those involved. Steve Smith and David Warner were both stripped of their leadership roles and banned from playing international and domestic cricket for one year. Cameron Bancroft, who carried out the tampering, was banned for nine months.

   
   


4. 
   

   Reactions and Fallout: The ball-tampering scandal sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from the cricketing community and the public. Many viewed it as a breach of the spirit of the game and a stain on the reputation of Australian cricket. Smith, Warner, and Bancroft faced significant public scrutiny and backlash for their actions.

   
   

Since serving their bans, Steve Smith and David Warner have returned to international cricket and resumed playing for the Australian team. However, the incident continues to be a controversial and contentious topic in the world of cricket, serving as a reminder of the importance of integrity and sportsmanship in the game.