Virat Kohli mocked the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and taunted them with the sandpaper gesture before the lunch break on the third day. The crowd was jeering Virat after Steve Smith's dismissal. Virat, who is one of the most animated players on the field, didn't stay quiet and mocked them.He showed empty pockets to mock the Aussies. This reminded the fans of the infamous Sandpaper Gate which took place at Newlands during the Australia tour of South Africa in 2018. Cameron Bancroft used sandpaper on the ball.

Cricket Australia banned Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner for their role in the Sandpaper Gate. Bancroft returned to the game after nine months while Warner and Smith were sanctioned for a year each. Smith was banned from captaincy for 2 years. Warner was banned from captaincy for life. His ban was lifted in October 2024. Australia chasing 162Australia are chasing a target of 162 in the SCG Test. The Australian bowlers did the job early and bowled out India for a mere total of 157. The visitors had a four-run lead and they set a target of 162.India are without the services of their best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah in the final innings of the series. Bumrah, who is leading India in the SCG Test, is down with a back spasm. He only bowled one over in the second session on day 2 before walking off. He then went for scans.Bumrah did come out to bat on day 3 but he isn't bowling. Virat is leading Team India in his absence. Rohit Sharma, India's full-time Test captain, stood down from this match. Bumrah led Team India in the series opener in Perth and he returned to captaincy at SCG. Australia are 2-1 ahead in the five-match series.