"Pretty sure they don't go on a double-decker team bus" - Former England captain on Ravindra Jadeja-Australian Media controversy during BGT 2024-25

Former England captain Michael Vaughan felt there was some fabrication by Team India's media manager in the recent controversy between Ravindra Jadeja and the Australian reporters ahead of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Melbourne, starting December 26. In India's first media session before the Boxing Day Test, Jadeja answered only in Hindi, much to the dismay of the local Australian media.

The BCCI media team and the manager then informed the local media that Jadeja would not be able to respond to the English questions as they had to catch the team bus. Despite that, the local media continued video recording the happenings post the press conference.

Local reports blamed Jadeja for his refusal to answer the English questions despite the meeting being arranged mainly for the traveling Indian media.

Reacting to the whole incident, Vaughan said on the Club Praire Fire podcast, as quoted by Hindustan Times:

"I like the press officer from the Indian side. The guy has been there for a while. We have had issues with him at the UK. I just like how he deals with the press and tells them to go away. 'We've got a bus to catch'. I don't think they have buses. That's a lie. I think they have cars. I'm pretty sure they don't go on a double decker team bus. They have pretty cool cars."

Jadeja missed the opening two Tests of the series as India went for Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin.

However, his return to the side for the third Test proved pivotal for India as he scored a valuable 123-ball 77 to help them avoid the follow-on and eventually save the Brisbane Test.

"There are AI systems that you can use to translate Hindi into Australian English" - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan felt the entire controversy could have been avoided if the Australian journalists used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to translate Ravindra Jadeja's comments from Hindi to English.

The former England captain, however, felt all this drama adds more intrigue to an already enthralling Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"India are a powerhouse. They clearly think cameras at the airport and filming families is a step too far. And this is their way of reacting. It just adds more drama for me. There are AI systems that you can use to translate Hindi into Australian English. So if they are not willing to speak in English.. Just put it into the system and it'll come out as Australian English You just quote Jadeja in what comes in the AI," said Vaughan.

He added:

"It might not be the exact same but it will be quite funny. I like a little of bit of spice in the series. I like the Mohammed Siraj vs Travis Head... What Jadeja did."

Meanwhile, the on-field action has been a thrill-a-minute ride with the five-match series tied at 1-1 heading into the Boxing Day Test.