Told Smith to go talk in the dressing room, says Kohli
Melbourne: Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli on Friday explained what was behind his fiery 'send-off' of Steven Smith during the first T20 International earlier this week and said that it had nothing to do with the Australian wearing a microphone.
Kohli had exchanged words with Smith after taking a catch to dismiss the Australian during the first T20 International at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
Posted by Cricket Videos on Tuesday, 26 January 2016
The wicket came just moments after Smith had been talking to Channel Nine's commentators, and some interpreted Kohli's actions as a disapproval of the multi-tasking job Smith was doing.
India secure a comfortable win in the first #AUSvIND T20.
Next stop: Melbourne https://t.co/ZIqu5tVG8t #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/F60o4u0JMc
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 26, 2016
But during the innings break of Friday's T20 clash at the MCG which India won to clinch the series, Kohli explained it was not related to what Smith was doing with the microphone but still everything to do with what the Australian had said in the middle of Adelaide Oval.
.@imVkohli joins us! #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/RBzLOg6qoO
— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 29, 2016
Read: What did Virat Kohli say to Steve Smith during Adelaide T20?
"I had no idea he had the mic on," Kohli was quoted by 'Daily Telegraph' as having told Channel Nine.
"He (Smith) was sort of having a go at our junior bowlers -- after hitting a boundary he was having a go at them -- so I told the umpires to keep an eye out otherwise I would have to step in.
"They did nothing and in the end I told him that he could go talk in the change room. It had nothing to do with the commentary," he said.
Kohli's comments came after Smith dished out his own riposte on the red carpet at the Allan Border Medal on Wednesday night.
Asked about Kohli's behaviour, Australia's Test and one-day skipper was less than complimentary.
Read: Virat Kohli’s gesture was not really on, says Steve Smith
"He gets pretty emotional out there, does not he? I don't think you need to do that kind of thing when someone gets out. It's fine to have a little bit of banter when you're out in the field, but when someone is out I don't really think that's on," Smith had said.