Virat Kohli’s expression and first reaction after Steve Smith was dismissed LBW on the final day of the Bangalore Test, could well rake up the next big cricket controversy in international cricket.
The Indian skipper was livid at Steve Smith after the Australian skipper was caught nodding to his dressing room and seeking advice on whether to use the team’s last review for himself on day four of the second Test.
Virat went running to the umpire to report the incident, Steve Smith walked back to the pavilion. But that was not the end of the story.
(Read: In Pics: Did Virat Kohli Just Catch Steve Smith Trying to Cheat?
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Despite a 75-run turnaround victory for his team, Virat’s first few sentences in the post-match press conference were about the Aussie team regularly seeking the dressing room’s help. This apparently had not been the first time he had caught the visitors asking the dressing room.
I have seen it twice while batting. I have seen their players looking upstairs (dressing room). I told the umpires, this had to stop. I don’t want to mention the word but it falls in that bracket.Virat Kohli
Asked if he was accusing the Australian team of cheating, Kohli retorted, “I have not said that either but I would never do something like that on the cricket field.”
His counterpart though tried his best to douse the situation. Steve Smith shrugged off the incident as a “bit of a brain fade.”
I got hit on the pad and looked towards the non-striker batsman and then turned towards Paddy. I should not have done that. This happened for the first time. I was looking at our boys, I should not have done that. There was a bit of brain fade.Steve Smith
The Australian captain refused to say that Kohli lost his cool and insisted that the game's spirit was kept intact.
As far as I am concerned, the game was played in good spirit. You know, emotions sometimes get better of you , but I don’t think anyone crossed the line.
“If emotions are kept in check it will make great contest”, he added.
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