Following India's thrilling six-run victory over England in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, which leveled the series 2-2, former Pakistan pace bowler Shabbir Ahmed has ignited a controversy by accusing the Shubman Gill-led Indian team of ball-tampering. Ahmed alleges that India used Vaseline to maintain the ball's shine unnaturally, even after 80 overs.

The accusation surfaced after India successfully defended a target of 374, triggering a late collapse of the English batting lineup, thanks to the efforts of fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Notably, India opted not to take the new ball after the 80th over, a decision that raised eyebrows and fueled Ahmed's suspicion.

Ahmed took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns, stating, "I think India used Vaseline. After 80 + over Ball still shine like new. Umpire should send this ball to lab for examine". His statement implies that the condition of the ball was suspiciously well-preserved, suggesting external interference.

Shabbir Ahmed represented Pakistan in international cricket from 1999 to 2007. As a right-arm fast bowler, he played in 10 Test matches, 32 ODIs, and one T20I, securing a total of 84 wickets across all formats. However, his career was marred by controversy when he became the first bowler to be banned for 12 months due to a suspect bowling action.

The timing of Ahmed's allegations has led some to speculate that they stem from "jealousy" over India's recent successes. India's victory at The Oval was hard-fought, with Mohammed Siraj's nine wickets in the match and Prasidh Krishna's crucial contributions playing a significant role. Siraj ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps, equaling Jasprit Bumrah's record for the most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a Test series in England.

Despite losing two games, India dominated England for the majority of the series. Many Indian players were competing in England for the first time. The Oval pitch offered assistance to both bowlers and batsmen. The older ball swung noticeably on Day 5, making it challenging for batsmen to score freely. India's choice to stick with the old ball after the 80th over proved wise as it continued to produce movement.

The conditions at the Oval, including cloud cover, also played a role in the bowlers' performance, enabling them to swing the ball effectively. This made life difficult for the English batsmen, with even established players like Joe Root struggling.

While Shabbir Ahmed's claims have stirred debate, it remains to be seen whether the ICC will investigate the matter further.