India skipper Virat Kohli has been cleared by cricket’s governing body but the war of words over his explosive allegations shows no signs of stopping.
The International Cricket Council has indicated it will not charge Kohli for a post-match tirade in which the firebrand essentially claims Australia were cheating in the second Test.
Kohli rejected Steve Smith’s explanation his “brain fade” was a one off, alleging that Australia were systematically looking to support staff for advice regarding reviews in Bangalore.
India’s skipper could have been booked by the ICC for “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment”, the same charge levelled at David Warner when he accused AB de Villiers of ball-tampering in a 2014 radio interview.
Cricket Australia has the option of lodging a report within four days of an off-field incident but it’s unlikely it will go down that path given the ICC’s stance.
The tourists are indignant about Kohli’s words. The superstar was asked during the press conference about other instances but refused to go into detail, saying “the videos are out there for everyone to see”.
Host broadcaster Star Sports is yet to produce the smoking gun.
“You should have to back up what you say,” Australia’s assistant coach David Saker said.
“It’s really offensive. Probably the worst thing you can be called is cheats.
“It’s pretty much absurd … when Steven Smith did look up we were more horrified than anyone else, because we had never seen that before.
“We haven’t got any elaborate sign system … if we have got this sign system, we got it wrong horribly twice with David Warner and Shaun Marsh.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking… it could be a ploy from him.”
Saker’s forthright comments came a day after Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland rubbished Kohli’s claim as “outrageous”.
There are unconfirmed reports of support staff encouraging Mitch Marsh to review his dismissal on day two. It is unclear how they were allegedly sending a message to the allrounder.
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar condemned the ICC for not investigating the incident.
“It can’t be that some countries get favourable treatment and some countries do not get favourable treatment,” Gavaskar said.
Peter Handscomb, who admitted he advised his skipper to look in the direction of support staff, is still coming to grips with how things have escalated since he told Smith to turn around.
“It was an amazing Test … and the fact that we’ve focused on one little incident that hasn’t changed the game at all is a bit disappointing,” Handscomb said.
Handscomb added he was “completely unaware” about the rule.
“Now I know,” he said.
“I’ve been well and truly informed and just looking forward to moving on from this.
“We know we’re definitely not cheating.”
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