Australian Head Coach Darren Lehmann has completely denied any involvement of the dressing room for Decision Review System (DRS) referrals as he has further reiterated they play the game in a fair way after the serious allegations were levelled by Indian skipper Virat Kohli during the post-match press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
The incident took place when Peter Handscomb and Australian captain Steven Smith had looked at the dressing room whether to go for a review or not when Smith was adjudged LBW on the bowling of Umesh Yadav on the fourth day of the Bengaluru Test before it angered the Virat Kohli.
“He [Virat Kohli] has his opinion and we have ours. At the end of the day we play the game the right way. I’m very proud of the way the lads actually played,” Lehmann was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo Lehmann denied when he was asked about the on-field episode.
During the presser, Kohli stated that he had seen the visitors’ players looking at the dressing room twice when he was batting in the middle and had talked to on-field umpires regarding the matter.
However, umpire Nigel Llong was quick to react in order to stop any communication taking place between the two skippers.
Lehmann was unhappy with the dismal show when Australian batting line-up collapsed dramatically as they were chasing down the target of 188 during the second Test of four-match Border-Gavaskar series.
“Disappointed we didn’t get across the line today. We changed the way we wanted to play with a change of side, a younger side. Disappointing today but you move on,” Lehmann added.
Lehmann further said he is happy with the bunch the way they delivered the things for the young team in Pune before saying they are focusing on the next game which is scheduled in Ranchi from March 16 after India levelled the series on 1-1 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“I’m really pleased with the way we do things now, we’ve never done any of that, and we’ll just get on with the next game,” Lehmann added.
The 47-year-old Lehmann everyone is entitled to their opinion, before stating he was surprised by the allegations.
“Very surprised to hear it [the allegation] but again, that’s their opinion,” Lehmann remarked.
Lehmann has stated the Kangaroos have changed under Smith’s leadership.
“Gone were the days where we used to be the other way, and I was part of that as an Australian side,” he concluded.
However, Handscomb took to Twitter by saying he was unaware about seeking off-field help rule.
“I referred smudga [Smith] to look at the box… my fault and was unaware of the rule. Shouldn’t take anything away from what was an amazing game!,” Handscomb tweeted.