India’s dramatic six-run victory in the final Test against England at The Oval-securing a 2-2 draw in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy-was met with widespread celebration.
However, the triumph was clouded by controversy after former Pakistan cricketer Shabbir Ahmed Khan accused India of ball-tampering.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shabbir wrote:
“I think India used Vaseline. After 80+ overs, the ball still shines like new. Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine.”
His comments referred to the worn state of the ball late in the game, suggesting foul play contributed to India’s ability to generate reverse swing. The claim sparked immediate backlash from fans and former players alike, who defended the integrity of India’s performance.
Social media users were quick to counter the accusation with reminders of past incidents, including Shahid Afridi’s infamous ball-biting episode in 2010 and historical scrutiny over Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram’s reverse swing techniques. One user responded, “Look who’s talking about ball tampering,” while another quipped, “Jealousy after a fair win is a bad look.”
Despite the noise, praise poured in for Mohammed Siraj, who starred in India’s series-levelling win with figures of 5 for 104. His fiery spell dismantled England’s lower order, including the match-sealing wicket of Gus Atkinson.
Sachin Tendulkar praised Siraj’s aggression and endurance on Reddit, calling him “unbelievable” and hailing his ability to bowl at 145 kph even after a heavy workload across the series.
While baseless accusations grabbed headlines briefly, the focus quickly returned to India’s grit, skill, and one of the most thrilling finishes in recent Test history.