Virat Kohli alleges that Steve Smith disrespected Team India physio Patrick Farhat

Allegations and denials are still afloat between rival captains Virat Kohli and Steven Smith. This time, the Indian skipper claims that the home team physio Patrick Farhart was “disrespected” by the touring party. Kohli alleged that few of the players unnecessarily taunted Farhart but the Australian leader denied the claim.

Kohli alleged that few of the Aussie players unnecessarily taunted Farhart but the Australian leader denied the claim.

“They (four-five of them) started taking Patrick’s name. I don’t know why. He’s our physio. His job is to treat me. I don’t find the reason behind it. I could not understand. You must ask why they have started taking his name.” Virat Kohli said.

While saving a run on the first day of the third Test at Ranchi, Kohli clutched his shoulder after being hurt and Farhart rushed onto the field to attend to his injury. Kohli had to leave the field with the physio.

On day 3, Glenn Maxwell was seen mocking Kohli’s injury when he imitated the Indian skipper’s action by clutching his right shoulder after his dive to avert a boundary. But Kohli, too, gave it back with a similar gesture when David Warner got out on day 4 of the Test.

When Kohli was asked by an Australian journalist about the mocking incident involving him and Glenn Maxwell, he said:

“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.”

Smith, however, maintained that they never disrespected Farhart, who himself is an Australian. “It was a bit disappointing. I didn’t actually do anything. Virat was having a go at me saying I was disrespecting Patrick Farhart. I was probably the exact opposite. I think he probably 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,” Smith said.