In a heated moment during the final day of the India A vs Australia A unofficial Test in Mackay, Ishan Kishan, on a comeback trail to the Indian team, stirred controversy with his criticism of an umpiring decision. Follow India A vs Australia A Live Updates
The incident began early in the day when match officials reportedly noticed unusual scratch marks on the ball and did a replacement. India A players gathered to protest but Australian umpires Ben Treloar and Shawn Craig dismissed their concerns, stating that play should resume.

Frustrated by this, Kishan reportedly called the decision "stupid," prompting an immediate reprimand from Craig, who informed him he would be reported for inappropriate behaviour, as heard over the stump mic as the incident happened in front of it.
Caught on the microphone, Craig addressed the situation, saying, “When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play.” Kishan’s reaction has since fueled intense debate among fans and analysts. While some may feel Kishan was justified in questioning the the decision, others may argue that his behaviour was inappropriate, particularly as he attempts to re-establish himself on the national scene.
Ishan Kishan’s actions reflect his intense drive to succeed after a challenging year. He withdrew from the Team India camp in December 2023, missed several domestic matches for Jharkhand, and ultimately lost his BCCI central contract. Recently recalled to the India A squad after an impressive showing in the Irani Cup, Kishan is under scrutiny both for his performance and his conduct.
The fallout has put Kishan in a difficult position as he aims to impress selectors ahead of India’s upcoming series.
In a further interesting development during the match, the umpires changed the ball midway through the 63rd over. Instead of providing a new ball, they opted for an old or used ball, adding another layer to the ongoing umpire controversy.
This decision likely indicates that a new ball will be introduced upon the completion of the 80th over. The hope is that this used ball will offer some movement for the Indian bowlers as Australia A steadily approaches their target of 225. At this stage, Australia A sits at 176/3, with Nathan McSweeney not out on 62 and Beau Webster on 38.
Meanwhile, Kishan's focus will be crucial as he navigates both the pressures of the match and the scrutiny surrounding his behaviour. The day's outcome and any subsequent disciplinary action could significantly impact the young wicketkeeper's journey back to the national squad.