Faf du Plessis, Steve Smith find empathy amid Sandpapergate fallout
· Sports · ESPNCricinfo, Times of India
During the ICC Champions Trophy warm-up match in Dubai, Chennai Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis consoled former Australia skipper Steve Smith after their teams' on-field exchange. The interaction marked a thaw in relations following the acrimonious 2018 Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal that saw Smith captain Australia and vice-captain David Warner suspended for one year. Du Plessis told Smith, 'You did nothing wrong, just be strong,' acknowledging the lasting emotional impact on the then-Australia captain.
Why it matters
The moment highlights a rare gesture of cross-border camaraderie between two former rivals, underscoring how personal reconciliations can soften the sharp edges of sporting controversies. It offers both captains a chance to move past a defining scandal that shaped their early careers.
Read the original report — ESPNCricinfo
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