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Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman criticised Australian skipper Steve Smith for seeking the dressing room's input for a DRS referral in the second Test against India, saying it violated the spirit of the game.
In the 21st over of Australian second innings, Smith was trapped LBW by pacer Umesh Yadav and having already blown a DRS call, involving David Warner, the Australians were in a fix to go for another referral. (Read: In Pics: Did Virat Kohli Just Catch Steve Smith Trying to Cheat?) Smith first turned to the non-striker's end to seek an opinion but sparks flew when the umpires noticed that the batsman had turned towards the dressing room as well to get a clue. The on-field officials immediately intervened to stop Smith but matters came to a head when Virat Kohli too joined the discussion, leading to an exchange between him and the rival captain.
Asked about the incident which quickly turned into a full blown controversy, Gavaskar said:
It was quite blatant and Peter Handscomb suggested to Smith and then Smith asked the guy at the dressing room. I don’t think that was in the spirit of the game. We have to see what the ICC and Match Referee do.Sunil Gavaskar on NDTV
Kohli at the post-match press conference said that he has seen the Australians looking upstairs before asking for a DRS.
You have to take a decision on a DRS within 15 seconds on your own. I have not seen other earlier incidents but I saw it clearly when Smith did that today, he was clearly gesturing to the dressing room. If the Indian captain was saying that he has also seen such a thing (seeking input from dressing room) earlier also, then I think the match referee and the umpires should look into it.Sunil Gavaskar on NDTV
Former India batsmen VVS Laxman and Aakash Chopra have also come down hard on Smith on the issue.
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