5 controversies surrounding Virat Kohli

#2 Steven Smith saga

Steve Smith congratulates Kohli for winning the series

Back in March this year, when India took on Australia in a Test series at home, it courted a lot of controversy for the banter between these two teams. It all boiled over when Steve Smith was adjudged LBW in the second Test in Bengaluru and then gazed at the dressing room to seek advice on whether he should review the decision.

Players aren’t allowed to take external help while making a decision on reviews and, hence, as a result, it irked Virat Kohli to the point where the Indian captain actually insinuated Steven Smith of unethical practises during the Test.

Extra cover: Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith: A promising rivalry

"I saw that happening two times when I was batting out there," Kohli said.

"I pointed that out to the umpire as well that I had seen their players looking upstairs for confirmation.

"And that's why the umpire was at him (Smith). When he turned back, the umpire knew what was going on exactly. We observed that, we told the match referee and the umpire that it's been happening for the last three days and it has to stop.”

Steven Smith later expressed his disappointed over Kohli’s suggestions and admitted to having a “brain fade” before apologising for it.