Batting maestro and former Australian skipper Steve Smith has finally stepped forward to clear the air over scuff marks on Indian wicket keeper Rishabh Pant’s guard mark during the recently concluded 3rd test between India and host Australia at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Tuesday. The ghost of the Sandpaper door came knocking on Smith’s door as the former Australian skipper was again accused of resorting to “cheating” at the highest level of the gentleman’s game.

Smith had courted new controversy in the penultimate ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash as serious allegations were made against him for scratching Pant’s guard mark in the 407 Herculean pursuit of India. in the 2nd round. A day after Smith was criticized by fans and followers of the game over allegations of cheating, the lead batsman reacted to the highly controversial scuffed row of guards on Tuesday.

The former Australian skipper has revealed he is “shocked and disappointed” by the allegations made against him. Denying the gambling accusations in the SCG test, Smith blamed his shadowy practice act that apparently stoked controversy.

“I was pretty shocked and disappointed with the reaction. It’s something I do in games to visualize where we play, how the batter is playing with our bowlers and then out of habit I always score the center,” Smith said. Corp News after India’s draw against Australia in Sydney. “It’s a shame that this event and others took away from India a great batting performance yesterday,” added the former Australian skipper.

Smith’s stump cam video showing the Australian cricketer scratching Pant’s guard mark had become the town’s social media talking point. After the conclusion of the SCG test, the Australian skipper under fire Tim Paine had also defended his teammate’s actions on the ground. Paine had made it clear that a “shadow stick” Smith certainly did not change Pant’s guard at the time.