Bit harsh, he has done his time, move on.
Pant's performance regarding the 'catch' says a lot about indian cricket as well.
I know it's wiki, but surprise, surprise, they weren't the first one's caught ball tampering.
en.wikipedia.org
Faf du Plessis, 2013[edit]
While fielding during the third day of the second Test in Dubai, cameras captured footage of South Africa fielder
Faf du Plessis scuffing the ball against the zip of his trousers. The on-field umpires penalised South Africa by adding 5 runs to Pakistan's total and changing the ball.
[34] The match referee imposed a 50% match fee fine on du Plessis after the fielder pleaded guilty, although the team manager Mohammed Moosajee maintained that penalty was "harsh", and the team decided not to challenge the finding as it may have led to heavier sanctions. Despite the "guilty" plea, team vice-captain
AB de Villiers maintained that "we are not cheats" and team captain
Graeme Smith denied that their participation in ball tampering tainted the series-levelling win, as South Africa went on to record an innings victory during the Test.
[35]
During the same match, footage of South African medium-pace bowler
Vernon Philander apparently scratching the ball with his forefinger was also brought under scrutiny, but ultimately was not considered to have constituted illegal ball tampering by the match referee.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2014[edit]
For the second time in nine months, the South African Test side found itself in a ball-tampering scandal, this time with medium-pace bowler
Vernon Philander found guilty of tampering with the ball during the third day of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka in 2014.
[36] Philander was found to have breached clause 42.1 of the Laws, "scratching the ball with his fingers and thumb", and was fined 75% of his match fee. South Africa went on to win the Test by 153 runs.
This incident followed speculation by Australian Test batsman
David Warner in February 2014 over the South African team's practices in altering the state of the ball during Australia's tour to South Africa. Speaking to
Sky Sports Radio, Warner commented on the South African fielders' more "obvious" use of throwing the ball into the ground on return throws after fielding, and South African wicket-keeper
AB de Villiers' habit of getting "the ball in his hand and with his glove wipe the rough side every ball."
[37] Warner was later fined 15% of his match fee for the comments he made, under an ICC Code of Conduct breach.
[38]
South Africa vs Australia, 2016[edit]
Another South African was charged with ball tampering on 18 November 2016 after their victory in the
second Test against Australia in Hobart. Proteas skipper
Faf du Plessis was alleged to have tampered with the condition of the ball after TV footage appeared to show him applying saliva onto the ball from a mint or a lolly. The charge was made by the ICC, although Cricket Australia did not file a complaint.
[39] Du Plessis was found guilty of ball tampering on 22 November and fined his match fee from the second Test.
[40]
One can sense gamesmanship if not conspiracy going on to prevent this from happening.
