"India used vaseline?" – Ex-Pakistan cricketer Shabbir Ahmed makes explosive ball-tampering claim after Oval Test thriller

Former Pakistan pacer Shabbir Ahmed stirred controversy with serious allegations against Team India after their thrilling win over England in the fifth Test at The Oval. England seemed on course to chase down 374 when Joe Root and Harry Brook were in control, having taken the score to 301/3. But a dramatic turnaround led by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna saw India dismiss England for 367, sealing a nail-biting six-run victory.

The pitch at The Oval was widely considered the most balanced surface of the series, offering a fair contest between bat and ball. Even on Day 5, the old ball continued to swing significantly, making batting a tough challenge. Though India had the opportunity to opt for a new ball after the 80th over, they chose to stick with the old one due to its movement—and the decision proved crucial.

However, Shabbir Ahmed raised suspicions over India's tactics and suggested foul play. Posting on X, he insinuated ball tampering and demanded an investigation: "I think India used Vaseline. After 80 + over Ball still shine like new Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine," he wrote.

New-Look India Sends a Strong Message

India arrived in England missing key players—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were unavailable, Jasprit Bumrah missed two crucial Tests, and Rishabh Pant was ruled out of the final match due to injury. Many members of the squad were playing in England for the first time. Despite the challenges, India maintained an upper hand throughout the series.

While they did suffer two defeats, India arguably played the better cricket in those matches but couldn’t seize crucial moments, which led to their losses. Ultimately, the team returned home with a drawn series (2-2), having shown depth, resilience, and promise. A major highlight was how every player who featured in the series managed to justify their selection.