Steven Smith has had a really tough week or so ever since being involved in the ball-tampering scandal, in the Newlands Test against South Africa that resulted in a one-year ban for him along with David Warner and a nine-month ban for Cameron Bancroft.
The 28-year old though, accepted full responsibility of his actions and the shame it brought to his country, in a tearful press conference on Thursday.
And ever since pictures and videos circulated of Smith’s emotional media addressal and his arrival in Sydney, Indian cricketers have come in support of the ex-Australian captain.
Among those who have come to the defence of the under-fire trio were Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh and a few others as well.
Here we take a look at what they had to say about the crisis in Australian cricket.
I may be getting emotional but @stevesmith49 doesn’t look to me a cheat. Don’t know about u but I see in him a desperate leader trying to win a Test match for his country, his team. Yes, indeed, his methods were questionable but let’s not label him corrupt #BallTamperingScandalpic.twitter.com/xOxAM45QXM
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 29, 2018
The world simply wants to see you cry, once you have cried they will feel satisfied and live happily ever after. If only Empathy was not just a Word and people still had it. God give @stevesmith49 and Bancroft all the strength to come out of this.🙏
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 30, 2018
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 29, 2018
To be honest it’s a bit sad to see @stevesmith49 like this Yes we all know he made a mistake and he is bearing the consequences for it but let’s not forget he’s been a great batsman and a good guy who’ got a lot of glory to Aus cricket also not the first person to tamper the ball
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 30, 2018
They are regretting and hurting and will have to live with the consequences of their act. Spare a thought for their families as they have much to endure along with the players. Time for all of us to take a step back and give them some space.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 29, 2018
Absolutely disgraceful to everyone there.. can’t treat Steve smith like this @stevesmith49… u all are crazy pic.twitter.com/zGXgFWL9PP
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) March 29, 2018
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 29, 2018
