India’s Kohli criticises Australia in review storm

It has precipitated a “major row over ethics in the Australian cricket camp”, says the Hindustan Times.

Smith had appeared to look to the changeroom for guidance on whether to review his verdict but was halted from doing so and sent on his way by umpire Nigel Llong. “I was just trying to enjoy it and trying to laugh at what he was saying because some of it was quite amusing”. I have seen their players looking upstairs (dressing room). It immediately released the pressure on Australia and in the next 13.5 overs that followed, Australia scored at a rate of over three per over, while through the day their run rate was a shade over two. “I think there are massive cracks showing in (Kohli)”.

Throughout the 2nd test, Kohli and Smith had a go at each other and it got very heated at times.

He further said, “there is a specific line while you play on field and you must not cross that”.

India and Australia are locked at 1-1 in the four match series going into the third Test in Ranchi on March 16.

“The fact that Peter Handscomb is even thinking about telling the Australian captain to turn around and look to the support staff, I’ve got my concerns”.

“I won’t mention the word but it falls into that bracket”, Kohli said.

Australia’s subcontinental batting nightmares came back to haunt them amid a sea of umpiring mistakes and technical blunders to spin as Virat Kohli’s India dragged itself off the canvas to level the series 1-1 with two Tests left to play.

When the Aussie journalists quizzed India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara about it, he too maintained that it was all in the spirit of the game.”There was nothing personal and they (Kohli and Smith) were just having a chat”, he said, smiling.

Smith was hit low on his front pad squarely in front of the stumps by a ball that died on the pitch and was given out leg before. I looked down to Handscomb and he said, “Look out there”. One person doesn’t make a difference to my life. There is also a demand that should it be umpire’s call, then the team should not lose the review. During India’s crucial second innings, which set up the unlikely victory, “Kohli flirted with possible dissent” after being given out LBW and “initially refused to walk before trudging off the ground, pointing to the toe of his bat and shaking his head”. But then he was looking at the dressing room to try and figure out if he needs to go for the review.