Kohli and Smith reignite feud

Just when it seemed the feud between skippers Virat Kohli and Steve Smith had been put to bed by a joint statement from the BCCI and Cricket Australia the pair have sparked a fresh war of words.
Assisted by some probing questions from sections of the press both captains had their say on the DRS scandal, maintaining their entrenched positions.
With both men convinced they are in the right the conflict between the two shows no signs of cooling off.
An already heated contest between India and Australia erupted after Smith was given out leg before during the second Test in Bangalore and looked up to the dressing room for help in making his decision on whether or not to review.
This is in clear contravention of the DRS rules and Kohli rushed over to confront Smith but was cut off by the umpires who sent Smith to the dressing room.
No further action was taken by the officials and Smith apologized after the match admitting he was wrong but in Kohli’s post-match press conference accusations of further instances of such behaviour were leveled at the Australians sparking outrage from the camp.
Smith and a number of members of the Australia team and backroom staff took umbrage at these claims and called for Kohli to apologize.
The India skipper has not recanted and has reiterated his belief that Australia engaged in systematic attempts to gain an unfair advantage on referrals.
Speaking from Ranchi, Smith said of Kohli’s claims: “It was a little bit disappointing. I think that obviously I made a mistake and I came out and said that. What I did was wrong and I know that.
“But that was the first time it has happened. I know as a team we don’t do that. And I think his comments… I think he said that we did it twice while he was out there. I don’t think he was out there long enough for two appeals. He’s entitled to his opinion, but from my point of view he’s completely wrong.”
When pressed on the issue in Ranchi Kohli would not backtrack but insists he wants to move on from the incident.
The India skipper said: “I think about what I say.
“I don’t regret anything that I’ve said, but at the same time it’s very important not to be stupid and go on with the same things on a daily basis because there’s cricket to be played. There was a decent break in between, and we certainly don’t’ want to sit and think about one issue all the time.
“We have two Test matches to play and that’s what we need to focus on. And I think it was a mature decision on everyone’s part to move on from that. We’ve seen instances in the past stretch too long and it just causes disharmony and there’s no outcome honestly.
“We just need to focus on the games that are left. I think it’s good for everybody that everyone moves on because you’ll always have two sides of the coin; one side will say one thing the other side will say another and that just takes the focus away from the game that we all are sitting here because of. So I think it’s best interests of everyone that we move on and focus on the game.”
The skippers will meet with match referee Richie Richardson ahead of the third Test where Smith indicated he will seek clarification from Kohli on his claims.
Smith added: “Perhaps, might be able to ask a few questions. We’ll see what the mood’s like at the time.
“Virat obviously stuck by his comments. From my point of view I think they’re completely wrong. I came out after the game and said I made a mistake. It was an error on my behalf, I had a brain fade. In regards to saying that we do it consistently, that’s complete rubbish in my opinion. I think he was wrong in his statement.”
Latest
-
News
Stephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
News
Ollie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
News
Justin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
News
He deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
On this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
News
Andrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.
-
News
Shane Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s
The former player and TV pundit died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack.
-
News
Sport moves fast – Ben Compton goes from relative unknown to England contention
The opener is averaging a spectacular 109.75 after amassing 878 LV= Insurance County Championship runs.
-
News
Dom Sibley can show he is England’s ‘best opener’ says team-mate Michael Burgess
The Warwickshire pair are part of a County Select XI that will face New Zealand in Chelmsford on Thursday.
-
County Cricket
Warwickshire chief executive insists The Hundred and Vitality Blast can coexist
Questions have been raised after reports of slow ticket sales for the Blast.