Steve Smith not the first to indulge in ball-tampering, sad to see him like this: Yuvraj Singh

Sacked Australia captain Steve Smith's emotional press conference after being suspended by Cricket Australia for ball-tampering seems to have resonated with a lot of former and current Indian cricketers.

After Sachin Tendulkar urged the cricketing fraternity to take a step back and give some space to the tainted Aussie trio, now, Yuvraj Singh has asked everyone to spare a thought for Smith "who's got a lot of glory to Australian cricket."

Watch: Steve Smith breaks down during public apology for ball-tampering scandal

In a heartfelt message on Twitter, the southpaw said that Smith is bearing the consequences of the ball-tampering scandal and he's "not the first person to tamper the ball."

"To be honest it's a bit sad to see @stevesmith49 like this Yes we all know he made a mistake and he is bearing the consequences for it but let's not forget he's been a great batsman and a good guy who' got a lot of glory to Aus cricket also not the first person to tamper the ball," Yuvraj wrote on Twitter.

To be honest its a bit sad to see @stevesmith49 like this Yes we all know he made a mistake and he is bearing the consequences for it but lets not forget hes been a great batsman and a good guy who got a lot of glory to Aus cricket also not the first person to tamper the ball

yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 30, 2018

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman also came out sympathising with Smith after watching his press conference where he broke down and apologised to the Australian public and cricket fans for his role in the scandal.

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Laxman said it was awful for any cricket fan to watch the way Smith broke down.

"Pictures of Steve Smith breaking down are awful for any cricket fan to see. Today is Mahaveer Jayanti and Bhagwan Mahaveer said, 'Anger beats more anger, and forgiveness and love needs more forgiveness and love," Laxman tweeted.

"A bad mistake should not define the character of a man. I wish God gives all three players and their families the courage and strength to go through this. Let's give them the space they deserve this time. I am looking forward to coming back and doing what they do best, score tons of runs and entertain us all. My best wishes," Laxman concluded.

pic.twitter.com/0X16XHhm5T

VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 29, 2018

Earlier, Tendulkar had urged everyone to spare a thought for the families of Australian cricketers as they had much to endure along with the players.

"They are regretting and hurting and will have to live with the consequences of their act. Spare a thought for their families as they have much to endure along with the players. Time for all of us to take a step back and give them some space," Tendulkar tweeted.

They are regretting and hurting and will have to live with the consequences of their act. Spare a thought for their families as they have much to endure along with the players. Time for all of us to take a step back and give them some space.

Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 29, 2018

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin and Gautam Gambhir have also sympasthised with the Australian cicketers.

Smith landed in Sydney on Thursday and broke down while addressing the media as he apologised to the Australian public and the cricketing fraternity for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in the Cape Town Test against South Africa last weekend.

Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson devastated after Steve Smith breaks down

Smith was subsequently banned from international and domestic cricket for a year along with David Warner following an investigation by the Australian board. Smith was also stripped of captaincy for a period of two years while Warner will never be considered for the post now.

The duo were also banned from IPL 2018 and removed as captains of Rajasthan Royals (Smith) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (Warner).

Bancroft, who was the third player involved in the scandal and was caught on camera tampering with the ball, has been banned for nine months.