Virat Kohli reveals the reason behind his send-off of Smith

Virat Kohli has batted beautifully and made headlines since arriving in Australia less than a month ago but perhaps none more so than when he shared some choice words with Smith after taking a catch to dismiss him during the first T20I at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. The wicket came just moments after Smith had been talking to Channel Nine’s commentators, and some interpreted Kohli’s actions as a disapproval of the multi-tasking job Smith was doing.

But during the innings break of Friday night’s T20 clash at the MCG, Kohli explained it had nothing to do with being mic’d up – but still everything to do with what Smith said in the middle of Adelaide Oval. (Also watch: Ravindra Jadeja stuns Watson with a spectacular return catch)

“I had no idea he had the mic on. He was sort of having a go at our junior bowlers – after hitting a boundary he was having a go at them – so I told the umpires to keep an eye out otherwise I would have to step in. They did nothing and in the end I told him that he could go talk in the change room.It had nothing to do with the commentary,” said Kohli.

Kohli’s comments came after Smith dished up his own riposte on the red carpet at the Allan Border Medal on Wednesday night. Asked about Kohli’s behaviour, Australia’s Test and ODI skipper was less than complimentary.

“He gets pretty emotional out there, doesn’t he? I don’t think you need to do that kind of thing when someone gets out. It’s fine to have a little bit of banter when you’re out in the field, but when someone’s out I don’t really think that’s on,” Smith told Fox Sports News 500.