BCCI stands by Kohli on Australia’s ‘DRS’ episode

Mumbai, March 8 (IANS) After Virat Kohli came down heavily on Australian captain Steve Smith for trying to elicit the dressing room's consent for using Decision Review System (DRS) in the second Test in Bengaluru, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday stood by its skipper after due deliberation and seeing the video replays.

After India's remarkable 75-run win in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Kohli stopped just short of accusing the Australians of cheating, claiming that they had repeatedly looked to the dressing room for advice on DRS.

Tempers reached boiling point when Smith sought help from the dressing room with regard to taking a review after he was struck on the pads and was given out to pacer Umesh Yadav while on 28.

The rule book clearly mentions that except the non-striker (in this case Peter Handscomb), the batsman (Smith) cannot receive any outside input.

"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 Virat Kohli," the board said in a statement.

"Virat Kohli is a mature and seasoned cricketer and his conduct on the field has been exemplary."

"Kohli's action was supported by ICC Elite Panel Umpire Nigel Llong, who rushed in to dissuade Steve Smith from taking recourse to inappropriate assistance," it further read.

The BCCI also said that it has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take cognizance of the fact that Smith in his press conference admitted to a "brain fade" at that moment.

"BCCI sincerely hopes that the rest of the matches are played in the true spirit of cricket," the statement read.

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