Peter Handscomb takes the blame for DRS saga; says Steve Smith was not at fault

The batsman who played second fiddle to Steve Smith during the controversial DRS saga – Peter Handscomb has finally admitted his fault. The 25-year-old batsman had indicated that his skipper Steve Smith refer to the dressing room after being adjudged leg before wicket off Umesh Yadav on Day 4 of the M Chinnaswamy Test which India trumped by 75 runs.

After all the hullabaloo surrounding the controversy, Handscomb finally took to Twitter to defend his skipper and take the blame for what was termed as ‘brain fade’ by Smith. Handscombe said he did not know the rules pertaining to DRS referral.

“I referred smudga to look at the box… my fault and was unaware of the rule. Shouldn’t take anything away from what was an amazing game!” Handscomb tweeted.

I referred smudga to look at the box… my fault and was unaware of the rule. Shouldn't take anything away from what was an amazing game!

— Peter Handscomb (@phandscomb54) March 7, 2017

Even former Australian captain Michael Clarke had said that it was Handscomb who suggested Smith to turn around while making it clear that he finds this move “unacceptable”.

“I want to find out from the Australian team if they’re using the DRS in that way. If they are then that is unacceptable,” Clarke told India Today.

“My concern and my worry is that when you look at the footage of what happened with Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb…. actually suggests to Steve Smith to turn around and have a look at the support staff.

“If it is only a one-off, I don’t think that would have happened. The fact that Peter Handscomb is even thinking about telling the Australian captain to turn around and look to the support staff, I’ve got my concerns.”

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A very angry Kohli unleashed his concerns in the post-match press conference after winning the second Test.  “We have been inconsistent with the DRS but we take our decisions on the field, we don’t ask for confirmation from the dressing room” he quoted.