In the latest happening, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has backed their all-format skipper Virat Kohli by releasing a statement on afresh Decision Review System (DRS), controversy which took place during the second Test on day four in Bengaluru when Australian skipper Steven Smith looked at the team’s balcony in a bid to get a suggestion whether to go for a review or not.
BCCI’s statement came after Cricket Australia (CA), supremo James Sutherland has vehemently denied the allegations levelled on Smith. Sutherland went on to say the allegations leveled by Kohli were ‘outrageous’.
Interestingly, the statement has not discussed about the Kohli’s admission of watching Australian players looking at the team’s balcony twice for the clue or unfair advantage during the Test match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after due deliberation and seeing the video replays of the episode steadfastly stands with the Indian Cricket Team and its Captain Mr. Virat Kohli,” the BCCI statement said.
The on-field incident has angered Kohli on the field when Peter Handscomb and Smith had a look at the dressing room for the off-field guidance before Nigel Llong intervened into the matter to avoid any verbal spat between the visitors’ and hosts’ skippers in the middle.
“Mr. Virat Kohli is a mature and seasoned cricketer and his conduct on the field has been exemplary. Mr. Kohli’s action was supported by ICC Elite Panel Umpire Mr. Nigel Llong who rushed in to dissuade Mr. Steve Smith from taking recourse to inappropriate assistance,” it said.
However, the BCCI release further requested the world cricket governing body to look into the matter as Smith has himself admitted the mistake during the presser.
“BCCI has requested the ICC to take cognizance of the fact that the Australian skipper Mr. Steve Smith in his press conference admitted to a ‘brain fade’ at that moment. BCCI sincerely hopes that the rest of the matches are played in the true spirit of cricket,” it further said.
Later on, during the press conference on Tuesday, Smith admitted his mistake by saying it was a ‘brain fade’. However, his wicket triggered a dramatic collapse as India leveled the series by winning the Bengaluru game by 75 runs with two Tests to go.