Steve Smith and David Warner were slapped with a one-year international ban and ousted from this year's IPL, while Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months as Cricket Australia cracked the whip on the errant trio for its role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
The lengthy bans on the trio effectively rule them out of the November-December series against India. Virat Kohli's men are scheduled to tour Australia to play four Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.
In an extensive statement, Cricket Australia announced the sanctions imposed on the three players, who were ordered to leave for home yesterday midway through the ongoing Test series against South Africa. The cricketers have seven days to appeal against the bans imposed on them.
"Steve Smith: suspension of 12 months from all international and domestic cricket. David Warner: suspension of 12 months from all international and domestic cricket. Cameron Bancroft: suspension of 9 months from all international and domestic cricket," the CA statement read.
All three players will, however, be permitted to play club cricket "to maintain links with the cricket community".
As per the CA code of conduct, Smith has been found guilty of having knowledge of a potential plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball; failure to take steps to seek to prevent the development and implementation of that plan; and directing that evidence of attempted tampering be concealed on the field of play, among other things.
Smith had also been charged for "seeking to mislead Match Officials and others regarding Bancroft's attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball; and misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent and participants of the plan."
"In addition, all three players will be required to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket."
"Any consideration of future leadership would be conditional on acceptance by fans and the public, form and authority among the playing group. David Warner will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future."