When Virat Kohli was angered by Steve Smith’s bizarre DRS tactics

The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia in Bengaluru back in March 2017 was marred with controversy. In a clash of the skippers, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith found themselves at loggerheads over DRS calls at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The situation worsened to the extent that Cricket Australia and the BCCI also intervened.
Chasing a target of 188, Australia were in a fairly comfortable position. Smith was batting on 28 and was looking good to taking his team past the finish line. But Umesh Yadav trapped him plumb in front. It was then that Smith seemingly looked at the dressing room to consult on whether or not to take the DRS. But Smith walked back to the pavilion after umpire Nigel Llong intervened.
India drew level in the four-match series after winning in Bengaluru by 75 runs. After the match, Kohli lashed out at the then Australian skipper, stopping short of calling him a cheater. Kohli said that Smith and Australia repeatedly resorted to the tactic in the Bengaluru Test.
“I saw that two times happening when I was batting out there. I pointed it out to the umpire as well that it has happened twice that I have seen their players looking upstairs for confirmation and that’s why the umpire was at him,” Kohli said.
“When he turned back the umpire knew exactly what was going on, because we observed that, we told the match referee also, and the umpires, that they’ve been doing that for the last three days and this has to stop, because there’s a line that you don’t cross on the cricket field, because sledging and playing against the opponents is different, but I don’t want to mention the word, but it falls in that bracket. I would never do something like that on the cricket field,” Kohli added.
James Sutherland, who was the CEO of Australia back then, lashed out at Kohli for questioning the integrity of Smith and the other Australian players.
“I find the allegations questioning the integrity of Steve Smith, the Australian team and the dressing room, outrageous. Steve is an outstanding cricketer and person, and role model to many aspiring cricketers and we have every faith that there was no ill-intent in his actions,” Sutherland said.
The BCCI, in the meantime, backed Kohli after he criticized Smith for trying to cross the line. The Indian board also bashed Smith for trying to take “inappropriate assistance”.
“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 said in a statement.
“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, the Indian board added.
After the chaos broke out, the BCCI sought ICC’s help on the matter and requested the board to ensure that the remaining two Tests are played in the right spirit. However, the ICC did not take any action against Kohli and Smith.
“The ICC has considered both incidents in the context of this match and concluded it will be taking no further action against either player. The ICC has confirmed that no charges have been laid against any player under the ICC Code of Conduct following the second Test match between India and Australia in Bengaluru,” the ICC said in a statement.
Dave Richardson, the then ICC Chief Executive, said, “We have just witnessed a magnificent game of Test cricket where players from both teams gave their all and emotions were running high during and after the match.
India went on to win the series 2-1. After their horrendous showing in Pune where they lost by 333 runs, the hosts came back to win the Tests in Bengaluru and Dharamsala. Smith was the leading run-scorer of the series after he racked up 499 runs from four games at an average of 71.29.