“Are Ben Stokes’ no-balls intentional?” – Twitterati slams Shane Warne for double standards against India citing T Natarajan’s instance

Ben Stokes (L) and Shane Warne (R)

The Indian team had registered a historic Test series win against Australia with an emphatic triumph at The Gabba earlier this year. However, veteran spinner Shane Warne had tried denting India’s joy after releasing sceptical statements about speedster T Natarajan‘s no-balls in Brisbane.

“Just something interesting that caught my eye when Natarajan was bowling, he’s bowled seven no-balls in this match and they’ve all been big ones,” Warne had said.

“And five of them have been off the first ball—and they’re miles over. I found that very odd. We’ve all bowled no-balls, but five of them off the first ball of an over, it’s just interesting,” he added.

Cut to today, another Test match is taking place at the same venue, this time between Australia and England. Meanwhile, English all-rounder Ben Stokes overstepped numerous times, way ahead of the popping crease, however, went unnoticed from the eyes of the on-field as well as third umpires.

This instance reminded the fans of Warne’s statement of accusing the Indian youngster of being involved in ‘spot-fixing’ during the iconic IND-AUS Brisbane Test. Some of them didn’t shy away from slamming the 52-year-old for his controversial remarks back then.

Netizens call out Shane Warne’s double standards against the Asian Giants

A cricket historian and novelist with Twitter username ‘@senantix’, wrote: “So, are the Stokes no-balls also equally susceptible to allegations of spot-fixing? Or are they purified, by being forged in the fire that produced The #Ashes?”

So, are the Stokes no-balls also equally susceptible to allegations of spot-fixing? Or are they purified, by being forged in the fire that produced The #Ashes ? https://t.co/Z6B0qrGWcp
— Arunabha Sengupta (@senantix) December 9, 2021

Another user, ‘@tweetsrihari’, commented: “Hey, @ShaneWarne. So many no balls being bowled by Stokes not being called. Ridiculous umpiring. But more so, were his no-balls intentional? Shouldn’t we lodge an inquiry into it? Or is it just when a far less experienced Natarajan bowls? Want to know your thoughts.”

Hey, @ShaneWarne. So many no balls being bowled by Stokes not being called. Ridiculous umpiring. But more so, were his no balls intentional? Shouldnt we lodge an enquiry into it? Or is it just when a far less experienced Natarajan bowls? Want to know your thoughts ?
— Srihari (@tweetsrihari) December 9, 2021