Cheating uproar in spiteful test
Kohli accuses Aussie skipper of cheating
India captain Virat Kohli dropped a bombshell on Australia, all but accusing them of cheating over their use of the decision review system, as the battle for the Border-gavaskar Trophy turned into a no holds barred, bareknuckle fight after a spiteful finish to the second cricket Test. Australia’s batting nightmares on the subcontinent came back to haunt them amid a sea of umpiring mistakes and technical blunders to spin as India dragged itself off the canvas to level the series 1-1 with two tests left to play.
Confusion ruled on a chaotic fourth day with umpires and players all under the spotlight as Australia crumbled in a spectacular heap to crash to a 75-run loss.
Chasing a challenging but by no means impossible 188 for victory, Australia lost 6/11 either side of tea to surrender their series lead. Smith top-scored for Australia with 28 while Ravi Ashwin reigned supreme with a match-winning 6/41.
The result, however, was overshadowed by Kohli’s postmatch bombshell where he accused Australia’s of consulting their dressing room over DRS while batting and in the field.
Relations between the two sides are now at its lowest point since the Monkeygate scandal of 2007-08. Spot fires were already burning when the match descended into chaos after Smith was given out leg before wicket to a grubber from Umesh Yadav.
As Smith deliberated whether to review the decision, Kohli stepped in, angry the Australian captain was seeking advice from team staff. This is not allowed under the rules of the decision review system.
‘‘I saw that two times happening when I was batting out there,’’ Kohli said.
‘‘I pointed it out to the umpires and twice I have seen their players looking up there for information and that’s why I was adamant.
‘‘When he turned back that’s why the umpire’s knew what was going on, we told the umpires they had been doing that for the last three days and that had to stop.’’
However, match referee Chris Broad confirmed the Smith incident was the only such instance they were aware of.
Smith admitted he had been guilty of a ‘‘brain fade’’ but his explanation did not satisfy an angry Kohli.
‘‘If someone makes a mistake while batting, for me that’s a brain fade. The way I left the ball in Pune that was a brain fade,’’ Kohli said.
‘‘If something is going on for three days that’s not a brain fade, as simple as that. I don’t want to say more on that.
‘‘The videos are out there for everyone to see.
‘‘It was getting repetitive that’s why the umpires also knew that it might happen again.
‘‘I saw it two times when I was batting, I can vouch for that.’’
Kohli has been the hotbed for almost every controversy in this match but said Australia’s behaviour had crossed the line of what was acceptable.
‘‘I won’t mention the word but it falls into that bracket,’’ Kohli said.
‘‘I would never do something like that on the field.’’
Asked if that word was ‘‘cheating’’ Kohli said ‘‘I didn’t say that you did’’.
The visitors made a bright start against the new ball but there was little resistance after leaders David Warner and Smith departed in controversial circumstances.
Despite repeated interventions, umpires were unable keep control of proceedings as both sides pushed the boundaries of fair play.
The recriminations are likely to continue long into the week with players from both sides set to come under the scrutiny of match referee Chris Broad after one of the most combative Tests played in recent years.
Kohli and Steve O’keefe are almost certain to be cited.
The rise of the IPL was supposed to bring relations between both countries closer however simmering tensions bubbled to the surface over the last four days.
Batsmen were being given send-offs and at one point O’keefe was being taunted as he strode to the crease. The spinner had a day earlier got up close and personal to Cheteshwar Pujara during the celebration of a wicket.
Despite failing to fire a shot with the bat, no player wielded more influence on this match than the belligerent Kohli, who showed scant regard for the traditions of the game in his pursuit of victory.
The firebrand was at the centre of almost every controversy, forcing umpires Richard Illingworth and Nigel Llong to step in on several occasions.
Umpiring errors added to the drama. Warner was unsuccessful in his lbw challenge despite replays showing he had been hit outside the line.
Amid the chaos, Shaun Marsh then chose not to challenge his lbw verdict after misinterpreting Smith’s advice.
‘‘I said ‘‘go’’ as in ‘‘go have a look at it’’ and he turned around and started walking,’’ Smith said.
‘‘I should have put my hands up and done it. We saw the replay and it was missing the stumps, it would have been a nice one to review.’’