Ishant Sharma criticized by Bishan Singh Bedi for inappropriate facial expressions

Sunday witnessed many animated celebrations and verbal rivalries between India and Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The hosts were defending a total of just 189 and so it was imperative that they dismiss Australia as early as possible. Steve Smith was the man that India needed to dismiss at the earliest, for the Australian captain is in the form of his life.

Indian captain Virat Kohli was chatting with Smith constantly throughout the latter’s stay at the crease. He was soon joined in by Ishant Sharma, who was seen imitating Smith’s characteristic body movements that he makes before taking a stance. Ishant then started making unusual faces and was joined in by Kohli and the rest of the Indian fielders who laughed hysterically.

It may all have been in good humour between the players, but a few took offence and questioned the sanctity of the gentleman’s game. Former spinner Bishan Singh Bedi was one of them. “As it is verbal banters r bad enough-now they r getting ‘facial’ too-all very ugly stuff-Crkt cn do w/out!Let contest btw bat/ball flourish! (sic.)” said Bedi in a tweet.

As it is verbal banters r bad enough-now they r getting 'facial' too-all very ugly stuff-Crkt cn do w/out!Let contest btw bat/ball flourish!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) March 5, 2017

Smith was seen unfazed as the Indian outfit seemed to demoralize him. He was soon dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja who took a six-wicket haul yesterday.  But it is the Indian captain who is receiving criticism for his behavior from many quarters.

Australian wicket-keeper Ian Heavy is also displeased with Kohli’s misbehavior.

“The pressure is starting to tell on (Kohli). I’m losing respect for him. He’s not only now continuing his disrespect of the Australian players and umpires, but I think he’s putting pressure on his own players now. You can read pressure all over Ravi Ashwin’s face. I think there’s massive cracks showing in (Kohli). He’s got to be a lot more respectful of his opponents. The stuff he did with Steve Smith was unacceptable,” Heavy told an Australian newspaper.

Perhaps you cannot expect a gentlemanly behavior from all the 22 players when it is an India Vs Australia game.

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