The Indian team management later said that the cream was for swelling on Jadeja’s finger, but the same hadn’t been communicated to the on-field umpires.
The match referee, Andy Pycroft, was satisfied with Jadeja’s explanation that the cream had been used only for medical purposes and not used to alter the condition of the ball. He, however, charged Jadeja for breaching the spirit of the game under the code.
As for the demerit point, this was Jadeja’s first offence in a 24-month period.
Jadeja was one of the heroes of India’s win. He picked up five wickets in the first innings as Australia finished on 177. He followed it up with an innings of 70 as India got to 400 in their only innings, and then picked up two more wickets as Australia collapsed for 91 in their second innings. He was named the Player of the Match for the Test.