Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are involved in the biggest controversy to emerge out of the India-Australia series thus far, with the Indian skipper all but calling the visiting team ‘cheats’.
In the 21st over of the Australian innings, Umesh Yadav trapped Smith in front of the wickets with a delivery that failed to rise. The batsman checked with his partner Peter Handscomb, and then turned around to face the dressing room, appearing to look for guidance on whether to ask for a replay or not.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli was involved in the matter and later in his post-match press conference, when told that Smith had admitted his mistake, Kohli didn't accept it, saying other Australian players were looking to their teammates for guidance. Such action is not permitted.
"I saw the same thing twice when I was batting out there. I pointed it out to the umpire as well that it's happened twice, and I have seen their players looking upstairs (to the dressing room) for confirmation. And that is why the umpire was acting when Smith turned back. The umpire knew exactly what was going on," said Kohli.
"We had told the umpires and the match referee also, what they were doing, and it has been going on for three days. It has to stop because there is a line that you don't cross on the cricket field. Sledging is different. But I don't want to mention the (particular) word but it falls in that bracket. I would never do something like that on the cricket field," he added.
The third test begins in Ranchi on March 16.
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