Pat Cummins Responds to Usman Khawaja's Ball-Tampering Claims

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, emphasizing the importance of moving forward from past controversies. He refuted Khawaja's assertions that all players were aware of the ball-tampering practices, calling such claims 'nonsense.' Cummins expressed concern over the impact of Khawaja's narrative on the lives of those involved in Australian cricket, highlighting the need for accountability in recounting such serious events. Read on for a detailed account of Cummins' statements and the implications for Australian cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 08:53 IST

Cummins Addresses Khawaja's Controversial Revelations

In Sydney, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has dismissed the idea of pursuing legal action against former teammate Usman Khawaja, despite Khawaja's recent comments regarding the infamous 2018 ball-tampering incident during the South African tour. Cummins emphasized the importance of moving forward, stating, "You got to move on."

During a press conference on Friday, Cummins responded to Khawaja's assertions about the Sandpapergate scandal, which resurfaced due to Khawaja's autobiography, 'Sabr.' This scandal led to significant penalties for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, both of whom faced one-year bans from competitive cricket, alongside Cameron Bancroft, who also received sanctions.

Khawaja's book has reignited discussions about the team's collective awareness of the ball-tampering practices, including shocking claims that sandpaper was used during the second Test of the 2018 series in Gqeberha. Cummins acknowledged that he had been informed some statements in Khawaja's book could be considered defamatory but reiterated his decision not to take legal steps.

"I was advised that some of the things said are probably defamatory; however, I will not pursue that. It has been eight years, and we need to draw a line somewhere," Cummins remarked.

When asked about his discussions with Khawaja, Cummins chose not to delve into specifics but noted that the controversy seemed to weigh heavily on Khawaja. He stated, "It looks like it has been sitting heavy on him for a while."

Earlier in the press conference, Cummins firmly rejected Khawaja's claims that all players, including himself and the bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, were aware of the sandpaper being used. "If he means we knew sandpaper was going out on the field, he is 100% wrong," Cummins asserted.

He further clarified, "I have consistently stated for the past eight years that I was unaware of such actions. However, Usman has made serious allegations that I and others were involved in orchestrating a ball-tampering scheme, which is complete nonsense."

While Cummins considers Khawaja a friend, he criticized the casual manner in which Khawaja has recounted his experiences, calling for accountability regarding the impact of such narratives on the lives of those involved. "Friends should not be casual with each other's lives and reputations," he stated.

He expressed concern about how Khawaja's portrayal of events affects Australian cricket and the individuals connected to it. "This impacts real people and their lives. I love Australian cricket; it has given me so much," Cummins added.

In closing, Cummins remarked on the seriousness of the past events, stating, "To bring it up so flippantly is irresponsible. This affects not just individuals but their families as well."