It's an Australian topic: Rabada distances South Africa from Sandpapergate storm

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada has refused to get involved in the fresh Sandpapergate row, insisting that Usman Khawaja's allegations about the 2018 scandal are an Australian matter.Kagiso Rabada keeps South Africa out of Sandpapergate storm as Usman Khawaja's claims rock Australia (AP Photo)New Delhi,Nov 13, 2026 23:02 ISTKagiso Rabada has distanced South Africa from the fresh controversy surrounding the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, saying Australian cricket must deal with the issue on its own. The fast bowler's comments come after former Australia batter Usman Khawaja revived the controversy with allegations in his autobiography, Sabr."We're not concerned about what they have to deal with. It's not our topic to deal with. It's obviously an Australian topic. I don't see where we get involved in that," Rabada said at a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday.Rabada was one of the leading performers in the 2018 Test series between South Africa and Australia, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 19.26. However, the series was overshadowed by the ball-tampering scandal that came to light during the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town.Khawaja has now claimed in his autobiography that three South African players were also involved in ball-tampering during the series. His allegations have reopened questions about the extent of the practice and whether Australia's three punished players were the only ones involved. Rabada was asked about the reaction to Khawaja's claims in Australia but chose not to comment on their credibility or South Africa's alleged involvement.The fresh allegations have also put Australia captain Pat Cummins under pressure. A member of the 2018 squad, Cummins strongly rejected Khawaja's suggestion that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering plan. Khawaja had told Nine that the knowledge of the incident extended beyond the three players who were punished, claiming that everyone in the team, including the batters, bowlers and support staff, knew what was happening.Cummins dismissed the allegation, insisting that the wider group had no knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field. He described Khawaja's claims as "complete and utter nonsense".WHAT HAPPENED DURING SANDPAPERGATE?The scandal broke during the third Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands in March 2018, when television cameras caught Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball in an attempt to generate reverse swing.A Cricket Australia investigation found then captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Bancroft guilty of their involvement in the plan. Smith and Warner were handed 12-month bans, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.Khawaja's claims have since fuelled calls for a fresh investigation into the incident. They have also revived the debate around reverse swing, which has become less prominent in Test cricket since the Newlands scandal.Rabada admitted he had not followed the discussion closely but suggested that changing pitch conditions could be one reason behind the decline."We've been playing on quite a few green tops. So the ball hasn't had an opportunity to reverse," he said.South Africa have also had their share of ball-tampering controversies. Former captain Faf du Plessis was found guilty during Tests against Pakistan in 2013 and Australia in 2016, while Vernon Philander was sanctioned for an incident during a Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2014.RABADA TURNS ATTENTION TO BANGLADESH TESTSAway from the controversy, Rabada is focused on building on his return from injury as South Africa prepare to face Bangladesh in a Test series beginning at the Wanderers on Sunday.The 31-year-old missed the opening Test against Australia at Kingsmead before returning for the second and third matches. He is now looking to put his injury troubles behind him and help South Africa strengthen their position in the World Test Championship race."I've been good. Obviously, I haven't played cricket for a while. It's my first time coming back. I was meant to be involved in the ODIs, so that wasn't the greatest start to the summer. But I've just been pretty chilled," he said.Rabada also viewed his time away from cricket as an opportunity to work on other aspects of his game."I guess the injury is another way to maybe look at another opportunity to improve something else. Or to find some time away from the game," he added.The fast bowler expects Bangladesh to provide a tough challenge, particularly given their recent performances, and is looking forward to playing at the Wanderers."In international cricket, you can't take any series for granted. There's always high stakes on every game that you play. And moving into this series against Bangladesh, they'll be heightened in their spirits, looking at the way that they've played in recent times. So it's actually exciting," he said.- Ends