VVS Laxman has referenced the death of Phillip Hughes in a scathing and ill-informed critique of Australia’s conduct, saying the visitors defied the spirit of cricket in Ranchi.
Star Sports analyst Laxman, who scored 8,781 runs in a decorated Test career, condemned the visitors for “mocking” India skipper Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury on day three of the third Test.
Laxman was addressing two issues that transpired in Saturday’s post-lunch session.
Glenn Maxwell grabbed his shoulder after diving to stop a boundary in the same fashion that resulted in Kohli’s injury on day one.
Footage then emerged of Steve Smith seemingly grabbing his shoulder after holding the catch to dismiss Kohli, however it was an illusion.
Another angle of the replay showed Smith clearly had the ball in hand. The hand on his shoulder was that of a teammate celebrating the key wicket.
“Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith, what example is he setting to his team? That’s very disappointing. You can sledge … it’s fine, but not mocking someone who is injured, in pain,” Laxman said at tea on Saturday.
“I’ve never experienced that because when you are injured, you always care for the opposition player as well.
“Especially after what happened to Phil Hughes, everyone is concerned when someone gets injured.
“Whether he gets hit on the helmet or is injured, there is a concern.
“You play the game a hard way but the spirit of the game should be there. This is defying the spirit of the game.”
Kohli batted without restriction on Saturday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declared earlier in the match there were “no serious concerns” about his setback.
Aakash Chopra, who played 10 Tests for India, was also critical of the Australians during the segment.
“It’s not OK to mock him,” Chopra said.
“Yes there is a certain amount of animosity or rivalry, and it’s been flared up quite a bit between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
“But you must need to know where to draw the line.”
Chopra added Kohli deserved “some amount of blame” for the rising tensions. Kohli walked out to the players’ balcony to sarcastically applaud a failed review from Smith during the morning session.
“These are things that can be avoided. The idea should be to douse the fire, rather than just adding fuel to the fire. This is adding fuel,” Chopra said.
AREH
Roar Guru
Spot on.
MANISH K RAO
Guest
Who will produce Chin Music...As a matter of fact Aussie bowlers have already been grinded to dust!!
deanB
Guest
Convict scum, toilet cleaners, whats the difference Linkin? We all strive to get ahead, rise above our station.
Basil
Guest
Yes yes we get it... anti Aussie regardless of the situation. Well done.
qwetzen
Guest
But he has improved one aspect of his batting. He's leaving the pitch much faster now than he was at the start of the series.
Basil
Guest
yup, ridiculous comments by VVS, but it seems to be a deliberate tactic to unsettle the ozzies, like pretending Smith's brain fade was identical to cheating, oh wait ....
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
"Kohli batted without restriction..." True. He also batted without form and discipline.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Oh dear. Some former Indian players have all the resilience of wet tissue. So easily offended by anything the opposition does, but more than happy with Kohli's constant theatrics. The hypocrisy makes his statements laughable. His comparison of Kohli's shoulder injury, which didn't even prevent him from batting with the Phil Hughes incident was ridiculous. I remember a couple of great Laxman innings where he flogged us all over the ground. However, I think most of us know exactly what he is flogging now. Fortunately, nobody cares what Laxman thinks or says, although he probably should retract his inclusion of Smith in his list of 'mockers', given there is absolutely no substance in that claim.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Thank you. I immediately thought of this incident also. Hey VVS. When in Rome...
SonOfLordy
Guest
Just a bit of old fashioned mental disintegration.
Bakkies
Guest
'Star Sports analyst Laxman, who scored 8,781 runs in a decorated Test career, condemned the visitors for “mocking” India skipper Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury on day three of the third Test.' Nah Kohli is a A grade c u next Tuesday who brings it upon himself. I hope that Dhamasela produces a proper pitch as expected than Kohli can experience proper sweet chin music that he hasn't copped in a long time.
Basil
Guest
no surprises here, Indian ex-players and media are just an extension of team support staff. If these players had any genuine concern for the spirit of the game they should have spoken out after the second test, but of course this is really just about playing mind games, pity, because VVS was very well respected, a little less now though.
Gary
Guest
Yes,his comment referencing Hughes was totally twisted by many, and now that the lie about Smith's mocking of Kohli's injury has been exposed he should encourage people to adopt a positive cricket conversation by way of an unequivocal apology to Smith.
Basil
Guest
By your own logic this makes Laxman a mug also.
bobburra
Guest
Laxman has achieved what he set out to do. Get people talking. His reference to Hughes was not, in my opinion, a nasty comment. This is a nothing comment, as usual people react to a "come in spinner" comment. I was once told, mugs are for drinking out of, not re-acting to. It appears there are a lot of mugs around.
Stuart
Guest
The numpty Laxman won't apologise, it would be beneath a cricketing "God" of India to be seen to admit he was wrong.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Plenty of chips on shoulders
Lincoln Lense
Guest
Laxman owes Smith a massive public apology for falsely accusing him of mocking Kohli's injury. To bring up Hughes' death is nothing but a cheap swipe at the team and should be condemned. The Indians have to realise it will take a long time to shake their reputation as being the world's Janitors yet living in the dirtiest nation on earth. A convict is low but a convict's toilet cleaner or taxi driver is another step down
Gary
Guest
To feed his injured ego and influence the on field game, Kohli attempts to mock the Australian decision to use DRS from the balcony. A truly great exhibition of sportsmanship, especially after he accuses Smith of cheating by looking towards the same balcony. Could these types of disgustingly regular rants be the cause of the empty grandstands?
GFH
Roar Rookie
Dragging up Phil Hughes when your national captain injures their shoulder is pretty poor taste, Laxman. The two are hardly comparable.