Pat Cummins Addresses Usman Khawaja's Claims on Ball-Tampering Scandal

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has publicly addressed Usman Khawaja's recent claims regarding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. In a press conference, Cummins denied any intention to pursue legal action against Khawaja, despite acknowledging that some statements in Khawaja's autobiography could be seen as defamatory. He emphasized the importance of moving on from past controversies while expressing concern over how Khawaja's casual portrayal of the events could affect the lives of those involved in Australian cricket. This ongoing discussion highlights the lingering impact of the scandal on the team's dynamics and reputation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 09:20 IST

Cummins Responds to Khawaja's Book Revelations

In a press conference held in Sydney on November 13, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins clarified that he would not pursue legal action against former teammate Usman Khawaja. This decision comes in light of Khawaja's recent comments regarding the infamous 2018 ball-tampering incident during the South Africa tour, which Cummins believes should be put behind them.

Khawaja's autobiography, 'Sabr', has reignited discussions about the ball-tampering scandal, which led to significant penalties for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, both receiving one-year bans from competitive cricket. Cameron Bancroft also faced sanctions. Khawaja's book alleges that the entire team was complicit in the use of sandpaper, revealing new details about its use during the second Test of the 2018 series before the team was caught in Cape Town during the third Test.

During the press conference, Cummins acknowledged that he had been informed some statements in Khawaja's book could be considered defamatory but emphasized the importance of moving forward. He stated, "It has been eight years. We need to draw a line at some point. I will not be taking legal action against Usman."

When asked about his conversations with Khawaja, Cummins refrained from discussing specifics but noted that the controversy seemed to weigh heavily on Khawaja. He remarked, "It appears he has been carrying this for a while. He seems to know more than others in the changing room. We were transparent during the investigation, but perhaps he hasn't fully moved on from it."

Cummins firmly rejected Khawaja's assertion that all players, including himself and the bowling lineup of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, were aware of the sandpaper being used. He stated, "If he means we knew sandpaper was going out on the field, he is 100% wrong. I have consistently said I did not know that was happening."

Despite considering Khawaja a friend, Cummins criticized the casual manner in which Khawaja presented his narrative, calling for accountability. He expressed concern over how Khawaja's portrayal of events could impact the lives of those involved in Australian cricket, stating, "This affects real people and their families. It is serious, and I believe it is irresponsible to bring it up so casually."