Kohli accuses Smith and company of disrespecting team India physio

Ranchi: After the 'brain fade' controversy that occurred in the Bengaluru Test, another round of allegations and denials has begun between India and Australia, as skipper Virat Kohli has blamed the visiting team of disrespecting the home side physio Patrick Farhart.

Kohli has claimed that the Aussie players were unnecessarily taking Patrick's name, Australian captain, however, has turned down the allegations.

"Four-five of the Aussie players started taking Patrick's name. I don't understand why. He's our physio. It is his job to treat me as well as my teammates. I don't find the reason behind such disrespectful behaviour. You must ask why they have started taking his name," said Kohli at post match press conference.

Also Read: Ind vs Aus: Handscomb, Marsh march Australia to safety; series level 1-1

It is to be recalled that on the first day of Ranchi Test, Kohli had hurt his shoulder while trying to save a boundary. Physio Patrick had rushed to the ground to check his injury. Kohli finally had to leave the ground with him.

Later in the match, Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell was seen mocking at Kohli's injury by imitating his action by clutching his right shoulder after diving to save a boundary. Kohli, however, gave it back with the same gesture when Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up David Warner on Day 4.

Virat Kohli also took a jibe at an Australian journalist who asked him about the mocking incident, saying, "It's funny all our guys ask about Cricket as the first thing and you ask about something controversial. But it's okay. These things happen on the field."

Also Read: BCCI comes in strong support to Virat Kohli on Steve Smith episode

Steve Smith has claimed that the incident Kohli is narrating never happened, as none of the Aussie players disrespected Farhart, who also is an Australian.

"It is very disappointing. I didn't do anything. Virat was having a go at me saying I was disrespecting Patrick Farhart. I was probably the exact opposite. I believe Patrick did a pretty terrific job to be able to get Virat back on the field after that shoulder injury. He's a terrific physio and he obviously does a great job for them," said Smith.

It may be mentioned that with the help of a gritty 62.1 over stand between Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh on Day 5 of the Ranchi Test, Australia managed to save the third of the four-Test series at the JSCA International Stadium here on Monday.